Encouragement (15)

Dear Friend,

Do you ever have days when you just don't feel good enough? Those days are tough. It seems like nothing is going your way and you're full of bad mojo, right? It feels like no matter what you do that black cloud is going to hover over your head and jinx you forever. You find yourself stuck in your head with "I cant's". Then, out of the blue, someone gives you a a bit of encouragement and suddenly you feel like you can conquer the world.

Encouragement doesn't cost you anything but it could mean everything to the other person. Encouragement is defined as 'the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope'.  Encouragement is what the world needs.

A few years ago a friend of mine took part in a triathlon. This was long before I started my own health and wellness journey. I felt there was no way I could do the triathlon but I could at least offer encouragement. A group of us decided to go and cheer her on. We were her cheer squad! I made tshirts that said cheer squad on them and other friends made banners. We had so much fun encouraging our friend. We were loud with our enthusiasm and I hope having us there helped her cross the finish line. It was quite a day and we couldn't have been more proud of our friend. Towards the end of the day I realized one of the iron on letters on my tshirt had fallen off. I had unknowingly become part of the Cher squad. *Shrugs, It made us all laugh and to this day we always refer to encouragement teams as Cher squads.

Last year I "ran" a 5k. It was one of the best race's I had completed. I felt really great about my effort and finished a bit faster than previous 5k's. Towards the end of the race, as usual, my energy was fading when I saw a little old man standing by himself on the course. We had to run the last leg through the parking lot so he may have just been a guy waiting to leave the park. I had slowed quite a bit and was ready to walk for awhile when he suddenly cheered for me in a surprisingly strong voice saying, "You're doing great! You've still got gas in the tank, I can tell. Keep going!! The finish is just around the corner!" He clapped his hands and pumped his fists and waved me towards the finish. It put a huge smile on my face and you know what? He was right. I kept running because his encouragement gave me the mental boost I needed right when I needed it. I turned the corner and could see the inflatable balloons that decorated the finish line. I picked up my pace and jumped across that finish line.  He, a random stranger, had been my Cher squad that day.

When things get difficult and I feel like I can't reach my goals it always makes me giggle to imagine a group of people shaking pom-poms and shouting, "I got you, Babe!" in Cher's voice. Do you have a Cher squad in your life? Do you like to encourage other people? I hope so! We need you, friend.

If you need encouragement in your life find ways to encourage other people. When you bolster someone else a funny thing happens. You'll notice your own sense of motivation has been heightened too. You can do it, friend! *shakes pom poms.

XO, Robin

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P.P.S Ever noticed how the word encouragement hugs the word courage? *wink