A Kind Word

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“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu

I received a lovely email from someone this week that was incredibly kind and complimentary. It ended with the sentence, “So, I just thought that was the sort of thing a person ought to hear about themselves.”

Encouragement, defined by Oxford Languages, is “the action of giving someone, support, confidence and hope.” The word origin is from the French from en (make, put in) + corage (heart, daring) from which I draw that encourage could be “make daring” or “put in heart.”

Using either definition, I am always deeply grateful for the people who have and continue to cheer me along. It is a gift that takes just a sentence or two but has a ripple effect that lasts so much longer than a conversation.

I find encouragement to be one of the secret sauces for life – whether it’s in the giving or receiving, everything tastes better. And when properly nourished, it’s so much easier to share the love. In trying to express my gratitude for my friend’s kind words this week, I hope I’ve taken a little bit of heart and passed it on. May we all tell someone just the thing they ought to hear about themselves.

Have you given or received encouragement this week? What does it look like for you?

(featured photo from Pexels)

37 thoughts on “A Kind Word”

  1. A perfect reminder for our disgruntled times There should also be an APB to refer to our service personnel (think grocery store checkers, baristas, etc.) by name and thank them. Look in their eyes. Every time.

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  2. Thank you for this heart warming post to take into the weekend, Wynne. Sometimes it is the smallest word or act of kindness that can have the biggest effect. Loved the Lao Tzu quote. A gentle reminder for these challenging times.

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  3. Encouragement and praise certainly go a long way. That’s what helps kids thrive and us adults to keep going, whether professionally or personally.

    And you certainly deserve it, Wynne! 👍

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      1. They left this morning. And we’re currently in hour 2 of a 16-hour drive to visit their grandparents. I’m gonna lose my mind. 😆 Have a lovely and less insane weekend!

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      2. Oh, I’m laughing! I have my fingers crossed that hours 3-16 go well. Or at least hours 3-15 and all bets are off for the last hour. 🙂

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  4. Aw, yay! And also: Once again with the eerie timing!

    My three-day training really took it out of me; processing that much auditory data in such quick succession was beyond my current capacity. This left me in a precarious place yesterday, so that I had to be sparing about where and how I dedicated energy.

    One person copied me on such a kind, thoughtful email, I was just so grateful to be momentarily moved out of overwhelm. So I sent a note saying as much, which note was received with kindness … and a note that its recipient has been saying like things about me to my manager! With where I was at, I got super choked up, and so grateful for these sustaining gifts of kindness and encouragement. ❤️

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    1. Oh, I love how you put it — sustaining gifts of kindness and encouragement. Beautiful – and yes the eerie timing that keeps happening is really fun too. A little coincidental magic, I suppose!

      Hope today was a nice a quiet day to process all of this week!

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  6. You’ve expressed it so well, Wynne; encouragement is one of the secret sauces of life. As you’ve mentioned, it feels good either way–giving or receiving. And that brings us to a deeper level, too; for when we recognize our Oneness, in giving to an “apparent other,” we are actually giving to our Self–the glorious One, permeating all that apparently are. 🙏🧡

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  7. Both for me. I’m blessed to be the receiver and the giver. You are absolutely right about the ripple effect. This also works in the contrary, and seemingly easier on that front. It is therefore all the more necessary to spread positivity and let that ripple out. How lovely that you too are the receiver and the giver.

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    1. Such a good point, Alegria. It does work to the contrary too – which just makes the gift of encouragement so much more important, doesn’t it? What a lovely comment, as always, from you!

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  8. Yesterday I had a meeting with one of my project manager who is about to deliver a baby but still wants to understand how things work. She used to tell me that I was her favorite but yesterday she told me I was her hero. She thinks I am very helpful and patient with her and the project she manages and I do a lot for her (actually sometimes I do what she would be supposed to do). But why should not I help her? She is such a nice person. Never arrogant or pretentious, she just asks for help when she needs it. And this makes me think that when we are kind to each other, also by saying nice things, life is much easier.

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    1. What a great story, Cristiana. What beautiful acts of encouragement you give to your co-workers! I love your conclusion that when we say nice things, life is much easier. So true – and I’m so grateful that there are people like you in the world!

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  10. Encouragement is like bringing a ray of sunshine to someone’s day. Whether we’re giving it or on the receiving end, it’s really good for the soul. A great post and reminder, Wynne.

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  11. I love this, Wynne! A kind word goes so far and can make a world of difference. “May we all tell someone just the thing they ought to hear about themselves.” Perfect! All of your lovely, thoughtful comments are encouraging. Thank you! 💜

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  13. Lovely post.
    I agree with you,” I find encouragement to be one of the secret sauces for life – whether it’s in the giving or receiving, everything tastes better.”
    There is so much joy in giving… in words, smiles, kind gestures or by paying it forward.
    Have a great weekend, Wynne.

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    1. Paying it forward – yes, I love that you added this. The perfect comment as to how it spreads – and thank you for all your beautiful encouragement, Chaya! You are such a giver of light!

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  14. Instructor has talked before about the importance of giving encouragement in JJ class. He used the example of encouraging kids when they’re learning something new, ie “You made it two steps! Great job!” not “You fell down so quickly.” That sort of thing. So today, when he walked by and told my partner, “Nice job on that arm bar,” and to me, “Good bad guy behavior, Betsy,” I couldn’t help but feel like the toddler being told, “Nice job getting the arm bar put on you.” 😛
    Nevertheless, thumbs up to encouragement, always. 🙂

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  15. Thank you for sharing!!.. and because you share a part of your world, the ups and downs, the overcoming of life’s challenges, the love and caring, you give encouragement to many, a rainbow in someone’s cloud… 🙂

    I get encouragement every time I wake up in the morning above the grass and able to see the sunrise…. 🙂

    Until we meet again..
    May love and laughter light your days,
    and warm your heart and home.
    May good and faithful friends be yours,
    wherever you may roam.
    May peace and plenty bless your world
    with joy that long endures.
    May all life’s passing seasons
    bring the best to you and yours!
    (Irish Saying)

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