Today, I learned that we have the opportunity to leave notes of encouragement everyday in a variety of places. They can be handwritten, spoken, presented in the form of a gift, or a combination of all three. Encouraging words are one of the most powerful things that human beings have the power to hold.
This week, I am planning on starting a month long social studies theme on Martin Luther King Jr. The children's book, "Martin's Big Words," showcases a timeline of his life, with beautiful illustrations, accompanied with quotes and phrases that he spoke during his lifetime. One of the phrases that he is quoted as saying is a personal favorite of mine: "Hate does not drive out hate. Only love can do that."
Only words with the background intention of love can change people, thoughts, ideas, concepts, customs, etc. Love can encourage and uplift people through a variety of means, by giving a sandwich to a friend when they are hungry, by offering a hug when a co-worker is stressed, and by making a dear friend laugh. Notes/words of encouragement are expressed in different ways depending upon the expressor and the expression that such a person wishes to send to the second party.
Today, I thought that I had failed in leaving a "note of encouragement in a random place." However, as I reflect back on today, I realized that I left my "notes of encouragement" in a few different ways today. I surprised my parents with small gifts: hand lotion for my mom and sparkly cleaned dishware for my dad that he let me borrow last week. I unintentionally encouraged the cashier at Barnes and Noble when I shared that I was a teacher and had to go back to work tomorrow and she said that she was a Bus Monitor and understood that feeling of waking up early, too.
So, though my "notes of encouragement" were presented more with actions than with writing today, I learned that the act of "encouraging" itself, is quite priceless and free. When we think we have to provide "material possessions" (and sometimes, we do), we may need to reassess how we can encourage and provide support to those in need (for free.)
cheers!
-alex
