Why we need to encourage others especially our young people.

I was recently involved in a Mentoring Program for young women at RM Bailey Senior High School in the Bahamas, and I was encouraged by the fact that these young women devoted their lunch time to listen to me talk about having a vision and charting their lives.

This experience made me realize that a bit of encouragement goes a long way. Their Guidance Counselor- Mrs. Andrea Eve was there every week encouraging them to attend. She even arranged lunch for them for the ten weeks of the program, and offered tokens for those who presented the best vision board and for attendance. Below Christina Robinson of RM Bailey Senior High presents her Vision Board.

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We have to continuously find the opportunity to encourage others. Encouragement must have meaning, according to Nicky Gumbel …’Encouragement is not flattery or empty praise; it is like verbal sunshine. It costs nothing and warms other people’s hearts and inspires them with hope and confidence in their faith. .’

Make a difference in someone’s life by encouraging them, whether it is on the job or at home, especially the young people. So many of our young people have no idea of how to plan their lives, they have children at an early age, they get involved in situations way over their heads, they get involved with the wrong company of friends, and when they do get a job they do not even know how to fit in. Our young people and even those persons who may be struggling need to know they are going on the right track and you can make a difference in their lives.

At one time in my job someone said ‘why should I encourage or appreciate anyone, no one encourages or appreciates me?’ Even managers sometimes find it hard to encourage their employees because they are of the view that they are there to do a job and they are getting paid for that. so they do not need any further encouragement. They do not realize that these are the right opportunities to encourage people, thereby enhancing performance for both employee and the company.

Today I urge you to encourage somebody, do not wait for someone to encourage you first. As you continue to encourage people you will feel more appreciated and more people will start to encourage and appreciate you.