One thing I’ve noticed is sometimes encouragement hurts. What I mean is there are times when you know what’s right for a person, but they don’t see it. The person may be co-dependent on you to take care of everyday life situations for them. In this case, encouragement is not necessarily a niceity.
We know what people should be doing in their life, yet they continue to depend on you to take care of those things for them. Encouragement may seem harsh and not necessary, but how else will they move onto their own path and grow? We have to find ways to encourage them to assume responsibility for their own actions.
This could come in the form of not doing those life things for them and keeping your eyes on your own life, and letting them figure it out. There are other times when awarding someone something they didn’t expect will encourage them to take another chance. Public appreciation goes a long way to encouragement. Ask for the manager at a restaurant you are at and tell them all the good things you saw and how good the food was. Even if not everything was as good as you expect, find things you can compliment the staff.
I have encouraged my children in ways that hurt their feelings or upset them, but the outcome was well worth the pain they went through to accomplish tasks they otherwise would not have accomplished. Encourage someone daily and in no time, the world will be a better place.
Mike. GB