One of the things we do well as human beings is to complain, to be quick in identifying where doer of deeds could have done them better, and even quicker in identifying what is wrong in everyone around us, everything people do, every machine, process, policy, event, et al, rather than commending the associated efforts. Those who are in denial of this fact are likely those who complain the most, for we all know somebody who never seem to be satisfied no matter what a very demanding boss, grumbling employee, harsh parent, whining child, politicians, and even religious leaders and congregations that should be cognisant of God's biblical command to "do everything without complaining". Hear this: Despite miraculously crossing the Red Sea on dry land, the Israelites were said to have complained against Moses and God almost immediately after!

We all agree that we could use just a little, regular dose of encouragement from the people around us, but we hardly receive any - and most likely hardly give any too. And of course, we blame this "oversight" on our busyness, our lack of time, our forgetfulness. In fact, the word "encouragement" is basically extinct in our workplaces, and becoming unpopular in our homes as well. Meanwhile, the feeling that our spouse, boss, coworkers, neighbours, friends, family, children, parents et al seem to only notice all of what we do wrong and barely anything we do right is becoming so prevalent and discouraging that many people no longer aim for the very best, but rather aim just to avoid the worst. It is no doubt that the world is more sophisticated and richer than ever before, but somehow, mainly due to greed, lack of integrity and outright wickedness, the world has crossed over from been discouraging to depressing. News from around the world filled with increasing wars and rumours of war, homicides and suicides, petty thefts and corporate frauds, violence and terrorisms, teenage pregnancies and immature fathers, poverty and emerging terminal diseases, and now, the subtle elimination of human lives through abortions and euthanasia.

What you do or say every minute of the day is directly tied to how encouraged the people around you will be. If you are not about being encouraging to others, you have likely become discouraging to them. All it takes for us to help make this world a better place is really to notice the effort of others much more that the obvious improvement opportunities.

From my experience as a Life Coach, I strongly believe that your life can never be empty if all you do is seek to fill the lives of others! And this, I am committed to doing all my life. Give me a hand, and I will walk a mile with you. Give me some encouragement, and I will carry you in my heart forever. We are quick to identify those who seem to purposely seek encouragement, when in actual fact, we should look no further than ourselves.

As if the current state of the world is not depressing enough to carry in our head even minute of the day, why even bother sharing that "constructive criticism" with someone who you never take the time to encourage, especially since he or she may be directly tied to these prevalent pains and chaos in one way or the other? Why miss the opportunity to enrich someone on your way to work with a smile or friendly stare instead of maintaining that cold face? Why not energize your families and friends with a "Have a GREAT Day" on your way out instead of being so ungrateful for the gift of life by choosing to be moody so early in the morning? Why, for the sake of your own principles, standards and expectations, give up your right to be great and influential by withholding words of encouragement from the people that you are fortunate to be around? In the words of Apostle Paul, "Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? But instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong (by withholding encouragement from others), and you do this to your brothers and sisters".

Of the responsibilities we have in the world today, like being protective of endangered species, mindful of environmental pollution and global warming, philanthropic and engaged in communal volunteering, effective in leadership, and planting more trees than is being consumed, all of which are very noble and encouraging deeds, the most critical one is the duty of encouraging those around us everyday. This is what the world needs way much more than the things we think it does! As we go about our day inspiring others with hope, courage, and confidence, freely giving them support, stimulating and spurring them with courage and spirit, they will in turn start doing the same. According to Proverbs, "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Also, "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

If we only knew how much we all actually desire encouragement, we will not withhold it from one another. Encouragement is the cheapest gift we can give to people, and yet the most appreciated. All it takes is a smile, an uplifting remark, a friendly stare, a compliment, a gesture, a slight deviation from our natural state of selfishness. Our mind is the driver of our body, which is the vehicle, while encouragement is the gasoline the body needs to operate. For sure the vehicle is able to maintain high speed even when low in gasoline, but we are never willing to drive it too far with no gas station in sight. Remember that Jesus Christ once said that all the laws may be summed up into two: "Love God and love your neighbours", which means have great relationships . . . with God and everyone else. Successful people and businesses know this, and act likewise.

Now, go encourage someone and see your life filled with encouragement.

Copyright (c) 2008 Alex Ihama