Friend Encouragement

I was sick this past week. That nasty flu junk. I ached all over and did not want to do a thing.

I had two friends that called and encouraged me. It made me feel better knowing they took time for me.

You don't need lots and lots of friends. Just some that care about how you are really doing and are willing to let you know.

John Maxwell says, "Invest deeply in a few friends rather than superficially among many. Select your friends carefully, and then stick with them."

Thanks for calling and encouraging me. It really does make a difference.

Express Words of Encouragement

A few years ago, I found myself struggling for answers in the midst of difficult circumstances. Downsizing changes in my job left me with less work; my last child was off to college, the empty nest lifestyle loomed ominously before me, worries about who I was and what I would do the rest of my life left me struggling.

A friend came along side me and encouraged me during my ‘depression detour.’ What did she do? She made a difference in my life, an investment in my well-being that is continually bringing returns more valuable than any dollar deal ever could.

My friend listened attentively with empathy to what I was going through. She didn’t have all the answers, but her presence alone was comforting, rather than offering the obvious cliché.

After listening, the best advice you can give is reassurance that no matter what they are feeling, things will get better. Help them see there is always hope. ‘I am here for you. Just as you made it through today, you can make it through tomorrow.’ John McLeod says "...words can be a powerful healing tool if used with loving intention, to uplift, encourage and inspire." My friend knew when to let me wrestle with and own my issues with a healthy balance of boundaries and understanding.

Discover more secrets to encouragement at How to encourage

How Do You Encourage a Friend?

Have you ever gotten a phone call from a friend(or child) that was in some sort of trouble? It could be something really serious to something imagined or anywhere in between.

"You are calling me at this time for that?" might be your first thought as you look unbelievingly at your clock. But you know you can't say that or it would crush them and something minor could be major before the night is through.

Or maybe there is a real dilemma and you are the first person she calls. You listen as panic fills her voice and spills over to the space around her. What do you say to ease the emergency and help your hurting friend?

The first step is to listen attentively. You don't have to have all the answers, but your presence is sometimes all that is needed. Asking good questions about how they feel and letting them talk about the problem might be all that is necessary for a person to figure out what they need to do next.

Then give them hope with your words. "I am here for you. Things will get better."
John McLeod says "...words can be a powerful healing tool if used with loving intention, to uplift, encourage and inspire." Do you know the right words to say to encourage others in a positive way?

Don't ever give up on your friend or family member. Brooke Shields explains the powerful support from her family finally made the difference for her. "There were times I must have seemed impossible to reach. And yet they kept trying and they eventually did reach me."
For a list of encouraging words to support friends and family, see How to encourage

The Power of Encouragement

"Encourage me," she said.
She is a middle-age single mom. Life has been tough for her with few magical moments to hold on to. Trying to recover from knee surgery, yet keep up with life demands just seemed too much for her.

What could I say to help her? I wanted to be the kind of friend that could make a difference in her life. She needed one to continue on. Encouragement had worked for me in the past and I knew the power of one person who cares.

"We live by encouragement and we die without it, slowly, sadly and angrily," Celeste Holm wisely said.

Rudolf Driekurs basically says humans need encouragement as much as plants need water. That's of life and death importance!

How to encourage?

I believe the first step is to listen with empathy and sympathy to what they are going through. Think about how you feel when you go through problems and realize everyone has the same basic emotions. Awareness of other's feelings and fears takes discipline, work and having a heart of love. And that's just the beginning!

Sign up for my free copy of well-timed positive words that bring healing to hurting people at How to encourage

What a Difference a Friend Makes

A friend and I were sharing our feelings about sons graduating from college and what that meant in all our lives.

I said I felt sad for my son and myself as real life is tough and now they had to get jobs, go on to grad school, whatever their plan. "All of our lives will change and change is hard on me."

She felt entirely different and challenged me on my depressed and discouraged attitude.

"I think it's great they are done with that phase and can now go on to whatever their path dictates. They have the whole world to discover and hopefully conquer!" She was upbeat, positive and encouraging.

My friends' motivating words challenged me to rethink my mindset and before long I felt lighter and excited for what lay ahead for our boys. I was blessed by our conversation.

KB Hathaway says, "There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend."
I heartily agree.
What a difference a friend makes!

Encouragers Help Others Dream BIG

d.r.e.a.m. BIG

d.r.e.a.m. stand for:

d=education
r=responsibility
e=education
a=attitude
m=motivation

"This makes up the 5 ingredients for achieving your dream/goal

You must have dedication to achieve anything in life and be willing to do the lonely work(champions are created when no one is watching!!); you alone are the determining factor for your success or failure & must be willing to own up to that responsibility; you should always be seeking out opportunities to improve your craft, sport, career, etc. thru education, enlightenment, encounters with people(there’s always a chance to get better if you are seeking knowledge!) do not forget that you have also been given a classroom “w/no walls” called life; keep a positive attitude regardless of the challenges you are facing(“energy givers” and encouragers should be surrounding you & avoid “energy takers”/discouragers); you have to stay motivated at all times. there will be plenty of people who will tell you what you can’t possibly accomplish & challenging situations will appear throughout your quest – stay the course and you will reap the rewards. you gotta believe in your dream!!" kevincarrollkatalyst.com

Kevin Carroll spoke these words to a group of Air Force Academy cadets and other college students in leadership at the anual Leadership Symposium at the Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs, CO. Check out his website--he has an amazing story to share.

Did you get the part about surrounding yourself with encouragers? It is a vital fact that people need not only people, but positive encouraging people around them in order to do their best in life. Do you know how to be an encouraging person for your family and friends? See www.howtoencourage.com for help.

Friends That Encourage Are Like Angels Among Us

What a difference a friend makes! A friend or family member who cares can change a life forever. Friends can make a difference in a depressed, discouraged life. Having someone behind you as a cheerleader is powerful in whatever you strive to accomplish.

It has been said people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Encouraging words make the difference in a life. In the March 21st edition of the Hardin County News in Lumberton, Texas is a story about an encouraging friend that changed lives...Friends Are Often The Angels Among Us. Take a look and be inspired to be that kind of person in others lives. http://www.thehardincountynews.com/news/2007/0321/Religion/022.html. What goes around generally comes around and you will be blessed.

Dale Carnegie said “You can make more friends in two months by becoming genuinely interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” Although it’s very true today and a great beginning, I'd like to add 'You can encourage more friends in two months by being genuinely interested in their well-being, sharing inspiration for their ideas and generously giving encouraging words. Positive well timed words have the power to make one want to continue on, to uplift or do inspiring acts.' see www.howtoencourage.com for more encouraging words!

Encouragement:What a Difference a Friend Makes

"Depression is a very big deal
Why is it that I am talking about depression?
By: Vokisha Hayes
It may seem like I am talking about something that may not seem to be a big deal. But depression is a very BIG deal with teens today. Some people many not see it but depression is really racking every teens life and it’s getting more and more common mainly in more teenage girls than boys."
This from an article in the Forest Blade in Ga.

It seems everywhere I look, there is more disturbing data on depression. How are we dealing with it? Do we understand depression costs us billions of dollars every year? Americans believe physical and mental health are equally important...but they are not treated with equal importance.

"I needed help. I was in so much pain," Ashley Judd said on battling depression.

When your world falls apart, who do you turn to? Certainly there are angels among us, watching over us. But what about someone you can touch and feel? Someone who really cares about you and is willing to listen.

Often that is the best beginning. Dr. Carl Brecheen says, "The main thing people need is someone who will listen to them with a sympathetic ear and will be supportive of them in times of real difficulty."

I think we can all try that.

Encouragers Among Us

Along with the theme of friends helping out friends in the midst of hard times or depression...what about the everyday kindnesses we see around us, big and small?

Especially during the holiday season, when we are consumed by materialism and rushing to get everything done, what about those special moments when you received or gave someone the gift of kindness? How encouraging it is when the spirit of the season shines with an ordinary act that becomes extraordinary because it is unexpected.

Do you have any stories to share about someone who encouraged you? Or maybe you helped a neighbor or an older person who was having a problem.

Doug Pagel says, "Go out of your way to be good to an older person(or any person)...you'll discover you can make somebody's entire day with a smile, a phone call, some fresh picked daisies, or whatever it is you've got."

What a different place this would be!

Friends Help Encourage Us

What do you do when your world falls apart?
Who do you turn to for encouragement?
Life is tough and we need others to help us.

The stigma of depression prevents many from getting the help they need to battle this disease. Studies like this one show that the primary factor in resilience is having strong family relationships and maintaining a supportive network of family and friends. New ads targeting friends say,"What if you knew your friendship was the key to their recovery, would you still lock them out of your life."

Friends can do alot to help each other. There are simple steps you can take and encouraging words you can say to help another. The present of your presence is a big step that encourages.

What are some of the most helpful things your friends have done to encourage you when you have been depressed?