I totally agree with the quote above. It’s one of the reasons I love Wednesday Word, and actually why I love blogging. There are lots of ways to encourage the people in your life.
Encourage Others
encourage: to make (someone) more determined, hopeful, or confident
I compliment complete strangers all the time: love your hair, cute shoes, great dress. It might be shallow to be complimenting someone on their looks, but try it and watch how that person lights up.
I will encourage people at my Weight Watchers meetings — people who are struggling, because I’ve been there and done that, or people who look great, but don’t think that they do.
I love to encourage the new runners in my USAFit Albany group. There are brave people who sign up and may never have run more than a mile or only a 5k — 13.1 seems so daunting to them. I like to tell them that if I can do it, anyone can — I truly believe that — but you have to want it.
Encourage Yourself
Don’t listen to people who tell you what to do. Listen to people who encourage you to do what you know in your heart is right.
–Anonymous
In your life you will have those that encourage you, and those that discourage you. The discouragers are not always malicious; often they’re just concerned about you.
And just as often, if you listen to the voice inside of you that encourages you, you will know what the right thing to do is.
Virtues are acquired through endeavor, which rests wholly upon yourself. So, to praise others for their virtues can but encourage one’s own efforts.
–Thomas Paine
Who was the last person you encouraged?
Chocolaterunsjudy 
On the road and during races, I encourage a lot of fellow runners. Off the road and in my job, I’m kind of a parenting coach–I do a lot of encouraging. Parents need to know they are doing a good job. It feels good to make people feel good.
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Absolutely! Although I can’t really say much to parents, but when I think they’re doing a good job, I do tell them so.
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“Don’t listen to people who tell you what to do. Listen to people who encourage you to do what you know in your heart is right.” That is the perfect motto for me today!! Thanks for sharing Judy!
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Glad to be of help. 🙂
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I’m one of “those runners” during a race that is not afraid to talk to strangers and encourage them….I know it’s something I appreciate in others, so I try to “pay it forward” whenever the opportunity presents itself 😉
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Oh, I’m one of those runners, too. And a lot of us BOTPers really need that encouragement!
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I’m trying to encourage my kids as they find their way on their own!
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Very important!
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I am of course all for the encouraging but you make a very valid point that discouraging isn’t always bad. It just means that someone is concerned. Hopefully they can communicate that in a caring way though. Nice thought!
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Still, I’d much rather have some encouragement! I’m pretty level headed and don’t do many crazy things, but I suppose crazy is in the eyes of the beholder.
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On out and back loops of races I encourage other runners and I encouraged my group during our hill workout yesterday.
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Yup, I do that too. I like being a cheerleader — maybe because I wasn’t!
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I got some surprise encouragement from a friend yesterday and it meant so much! I’d posted a link to another blog post about writing (https://medium.com/rezo-nation/why-you-shouldnt-stop-writing-6653e30a0352#.962z64vtc — it’s awesome!) and out of the blue my buddy sent some very encouraging words about my own writing, just when I needed them. Best gift I’ve gotten in a long time!
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So true about the discouragers. They may not always mean to be harmful, but are just worried. My mom does that all the time. “Don’t run that marathon, you’ll hurt yourself” as opposed to, GO KILL that marathon. 🙂
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Oh yes, I often wonder at what age do we become so fearful. If I’d listened to my mom, I’d never have started running.
I am definitely not fearless, but I hope that as I age, I can continue to try new things.
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I encourage my BFF when we are out running.
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Natalie, you’re a great cheerleader! I don’t know how you respond to everyone all the time.
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Thank you! ❤
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Great post!! Encouragement can make or break someone, especially when running or dieting!
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The last person I encouraged was one of my fellow Army wives who is struggling with loneliness today. ❤
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I can totally see you as one who encourages often!!! You encourage me so much 😉
The last person I encouraged was my daughter.
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“Who was the last person you encouraged?” What a great question! I encourage people all day as part of my job as a trainer, but when I stop and think about your question, I guess it was my husband when he finished up work this afternoon and went out for long bike ride. I encouraged him to have fun and ride hard. He’s frustrated that a year after knee surgery he still can’t run, so I encourage him as much as possible to push himself on his bike, and to have fun!
Thanks for linking up, Judy!
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Super awesome that you encouraged your husband. Why does it always seem so hard to encourage the ones we love the most?
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I encouraged one of my tennis friends to get more exercise. And she went for a walk almost every morning. I was so pleased. And I told her so many times.
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Excellent!
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