Speak Life and Hope Into Others
I never thought I’d publicly thank Ashton Kutcher or begin following him, but today is the day.
Ashton, thank you for giving me clarity around a message I’ve been wanting to say for months.
I believe we are faced with opportunities every day and often every hour to speak into the lives of other people. Every person is looking for affirmation, love, support and hope. Each person comes from backgrounds – some shared often and some never spoken. Some so dark and deep, but well covered by their smiles. Some so quiet, but hurting immensely. Some friends are perfectly pleasant but will just whisper a hint of their ache.
We have a choice.
To go for bravery and courage – and just SPEAK. AFFIRM. ENCOURAGE.
Or, we can let fear, insecurities and doubt lead us to unknown – the land of never knowing. The WHAT IF.
Ashton, you are brave and courageous. You could’ve gone 100 different routes with your Teen Choice speech. However, you chose well. You realized your chance and your opportunity. How many times would you be able to SPEAK into the lives of teens and they would listen? Bravo.
We don’t have to be a celebrity to take that chance. Thousands don’t have to find us so sexy. Today, my babysitter was saying goodbye for college. I saw in her eyes the fear and the anxiety. I took just 3 minutes and spoke boldly. I wrote a list of prayer requests for her. I told her I would pray on Friday as she flew there. I didn’t shove her out the door. I don’t care if she thinks I’m that bible-beating family. I took the chance. I want her to know she isn’t alone at college and our family cares for her.
People along my path have stopped long enough to speak into me – words, simple words, have put wind in my career sail, marriage sail, entrepreneur sail. I am just paying it forward and I’m also just copying what I saw in my mother. We have that chance to role model encouragement for our kids. When the grocery clerk mentions a rough day, don’t just nod – show compassion and take a minute to hear her.
You may not feel your influence is large, but IT IS! And, I pray God will show you how big even in the midst of motherhood. And you might feel you have nothing to share with another, but your life experience or your compassionate, tender ear is enough. You just be there and offer hope and love for the next person. Here are some ideas.
- The next time you see a friend, ask “How are you REALLY doing?” and really stop to listen
- If a message or a blog post by a “famous person” or author really moves you – let them know. I can’t tell you how often I have done this (with pure motives of gratitude) and I’m shocked at how often they respond. I think because these names are “big” we assume they know they are great. Tell some big names specifically how they impacted you.
- Find a young person in your church or neighborhood and help them dream or be sure of themselves. Remember how hard it was at that stage? Believe in them!
- Go through Facebook and encourage/affirm photos or status updates.
- Take on babysitters as sweet mentees. “How can I pray for you?” is a great start.
- Next time you are with a mom, affirm her really specifically – “You’re a great mom, I love the way you..”
How to create little encouragers? Be encouraging.
Who is the most encouraging person in your life?
How has encouragement helped you as a mom?
Courtney you inspire me daily! Thank you for creating such a real website/blog and open up your heart and mind so the rest of us can have guidance and inspiration to be greater than ourselves, and our reminder that God loves all of us, no matter what the situation.
hey kelly! that means so much. i hope you and and your sweet fam are doing great. war eagle!
Thank you for ALL that YOU do! I really enjoy reading your blog. I’ve been meaning to catch this video of Ashton, and keep forgetting to watch it. When I saw you write a blog post about it, I knew I had to take a moment and see what you had to say. I really appreciate you, your blog, and all the encouragement you give to others. Thank you!
i appreciate you marilyn!
I saw the Ashton Kutcher video yesterday after browsing Yahoo. Wow. While I certainly don’t agree with all the man’s choices, he nailed it out of the park here. Told millions of kids that ‘opportunity looks a lot like hard work’, you have what it takes to build a life and make a difference and the sexiest thing is being smart.
Courtney, love to see you using this tool- the Internet- as one of the ways you are building a life that makes a difference…and I know that it is from the ‘overflow’ coming into your life.
We can all encourage one other as we do the same where we are planted.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
thank you sweet cara. yes, i’m not totally behind all of his decisions. heck i don’t dig all of my decisions. thanks for being so encouraging to me. you are so very good at this.
I watched that last night and was amazed. So nice to hear that on that platform! My mom is definitely the most encouraging source for me in motherhood. Such a source for wisdom! I’m so thankful for her!
Paige
YOU are an amazing encouragement to me. The way you live your life so transparently and how you are constantly lifting people up is so inspiring and in turn makes me (and the rest of your readers, I’m sure!) want to do the same. Thank you for the Ashton video, I’d heard about it but not taken the time to watch until I saw you recommend it.
Wonderful post…YES to it all! Encourage one another…let go of comparisons, envy, jealousy…be there for each other through encouragement, support, love, acceptance! YES!
You are an encouragement to me. Thank you for shining HIS light so brightly and illuminating the path. You have especially encouraged me as a new mother, more specifically as a new mother of a child with Down Syndrome. Be blessed, sweet friend. And keep doing what you do, because you do it so very well.