Words we don't say enough to each other , I wrote a little article on this once and when reading it realized that it still is a very valid thing to say to each other.
They are very healing words. Telling someone you think they are worthwhile is a very uplifting and inspiring. Words with a strong meaning that can give that one little shove to do the right thing. To keep on track , to become whole again. When realizing that these words had such a healing effect on me I started to tell other people that I am proud of them. But is also realized that overusing any phrase can have the opposite effect. We should encourage people to be Proud of who they are , proud of them because it's not easy , this life , what we have to go through and that we are able to stick to the Path. The Jedi path has some serious struggles and we need reminding that we are not alone with all these struggles That is why I am proud of how far you have come. That you have decided to work on yourself and become what you are meant to be.
Pride has a negative connotation in the layman world but pride can very often not be owned yet easily given , as such it's a part of training people , raising children and a essential part of training.
Encouragement is telling people you believe in them , that you are there for them , that there is progress even in failure. Showing people you care makes them stronger, makes us all stronger. Telling them you believe in them makes them aware that there is hope , even in the most grim of circumstances. I sometimes write to people just to tell them that I see their struggle and that I believe in them, that is not just an essential part of being a Clergy member but also part of being a Human. When I tell them I am here. I try to praise their accomplishments in public , letting people know that what that person is doing is valuable to me. That it matters that they are in my life and I hope they learn to encourage others as well. I hope it trickles into their off line world and they heal and help others heal , so this world becomes a better place. This all might sound a bit much , but believe me , it begins with one little act of kindness.
So , how do you encourage others , how do you make people feel worthwhile ? When did you last tell someone “I am proud of you” ? I know that people telling me this has made a world of difference in the kind of Jedi I am today.
May the Force be with you and the ones you love
