Positive Notes Worth Sounding

Sat., June 24, 2000

Therese Marszalek Special To Opinion

When my son, Joseph, was 5, he had his first experience in swimming lessons at the Shadle pool. Throughout the course of these lessons, I recognized the hunger for and importance of encouragement and edification.

It was Joseph’s first exposure to swimming and he was hesitant to even put his face in the water. Each time the patient swimming instructor told Joseph to perform a new task, he would nervously complete the task to the best of his ability and then he would look back at me to see if I was watching.

I never failed to cheer him on or give him the “thumbs up” sign when he looked back for my approval. If he failed at a task, I exhorted him to try again. My encouragement prodded him to excellence.

Encouragement can make a tremendous impact on another person’s life. Whether that person is a 5-year-old in his first swimming lesson or a mature adult facing a challenge or letdown, knowing someone believes in you matters.

Individuals who pass through our lives every day may be facing a trial that has caused them mounting stress and discouragement. A “thumbs up” sign or a word of encouragement lets them know that we believe in them and support them in spite of the failures they may experience.

It is human nature to be cognizant of other people’s mistakes. How quick we are to point out other people’s errors or failures. When my 12-year-old son played baseball a few summers ago, I would sit in the stands and feel so crushed when a player struck out and his parents responded with “How could you have missed that one?”

The child was feeling bad enough and the parents’ comments magnified the feelings of discouragement.

Critical remarks take the wind out of people’s sails, leaving them emotionally shipwrecked. Building people up, however, brings them a breath of fresh air and a hope that makes them feel that somehow everything is going to be OK.

What a city of joy and hope Spokane would be if we all vowed to bring a word of encouragement or a thumbs up to someone who crossed our path every day. You never know, you may bring hope to someone who was ready to throw in the towel. Make a difference today for our city, choose to avoid making a critical remark that tears down and instead make a point of building or encouraging people instead.

Watch out - it’s contagious!

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