![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thedivinefellowship.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Encouragement.jpg\" "\\"Encouragement\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\nNow, I didn\u2019t get my feelings hurt. It\u2019s not about that. Had I been someone who needed positive feedback, it would have crushed me. If I had been someone who enjoyed praise, I would have felt less than. I had no negative feelings what so ever. It is like a space here. A void. Like an emptiness \u2013 nothing negative and nothing positive. No one did any harm. Yet no one did any good either. Empty space of neutrality.<\/p>\n
This neutral energy brings to my attention how important encouragement of others resonates with me. Even to the point where I feel withholding a kindness is akin to cruelty.<\/p>\n
If you have a kind word to say, say it. Even if it\u2019s dismissed, the empty space of neutrality has been filled.<\/p>\n
What lies within this neutral emptiness is opportunity for self-doubt, self-criticism, shame, blame \u2013 all of that stuff. One kind word could mean the world to someone else. And kindness fills a void that otherwise might be filled with negativity.<\/p>\n
To be honest, I think the empty that was handed to me was meant to be a slight or a rejection. I\u2019m so grateful that that particular person\u2019s opinion didn\u2019t matter. The fact that not even one other person mentioned to me personally that they liked this performance shows how pervasive the attitude of dismissal ran through that church. No wonder I have Post Traumatic Church Syndrome! (If you haven\u2019t read that book, you might want to!)<\/p>\n
I see this in stark contrast to the people and the Divine Fellowship who encourage one another without fail! How wonderful to walk past a conversation and hear people encouraging one another!<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve heard, \u201cIf you cannot say anything nice, don\u2019t say anything at all.\u201d (Bambi\u2019s mother said that.) I say, find something of encouragement to say! Like:<\/p>\n
If anyone can figure it out, you can.<\/p>\n
I know you\u2019ll do fine.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll find a way.<\/p>\n
Whatever you choose will be a blessing, I\u2019m sure.<\/p>\n
I know you can listen to your heart and choose wisely.<\/p>\n
You are an expression of Divine Light.<\/p>\n
Ask for words of encouragement to be gifted to you from Divine Source. Words will come!<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the real kicker! What do you say to yourself in those moments of neutral-emptiness? Do you fill the emptiness with self-derision or criticism? Do you grieve because someone else couldn\u2019t tell you what you needed to hear? Speak words of encouragement to yourself! Pour the Light of Love through your awareness into your own heart-space! Speak the loving truth to yourself. Watch yourself grow and shine!<\/p>\n
Nice words from others are just that . . . nice. Powerful words of encouragement to ourselves evokes change, growth, and inspiration!<\/p>\n
Speak encouragement to yourself today and see how your world changes. And let\u2019s speak encouragement to others and watch them grow.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I found myself caught in a flashback experience from many years ago. I had accomplished something I really had stretched to do. I delivered my \u201cperformance\u201d to the best of my abilities and I knocked it out of the ball park. Here\u2019s what\u2019s got me stumped. I don\u2019t have any regrets. I don\u2019t have any […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9370,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2325","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","post-wrapper","thrv_wrapper"],"yoast_head":"\n