encouragement

This "thought of the day" was posted to the New Seminary alumni list this morning:

"There are people whose presence is encouraging. One of the most
beautiful gifts in the world is the gift of encouragement. When
someone encourages you, that person helps you over a threshold you
might otherwise never have crossed on your own."

-- John O'Donohue
in "Eternal Echoes"

Very true. When I was living in Los Angeles, my roommate (Lauren), liked to talk about how most people don't understand the power of just existing. That the attitude you take out into the world with you every day really does have an impact -- like the ripples over the water after you've thrown a small rock into the pond -- and it ultimately does come back to you. Spreading misery -- being short with a cashier, cutting someone off in traffic -- can make for a bad day for everybody, but something as simple as sharing a small smile with a stranger as you pass on the sidewalk can make a huge difference to yourself and the world around you.

That's why I loved this quote this morning from O'Donohue. Encouragement is another way to bolster someone else's spirit and dreams while also shining a light on your own heart, and opens the door for others to encourage you toward your own hopes and aspirations. And it goes a long way toward creating a brighter world where we can all live happily.

How can I help to encourage you today?