Our Land: Words of Encouragement

Do you all remember my good friend Kenya from  Here’s the Thing? When you visit her today, you may not recognize her site from the last time she authored her most excellent Our Land post as she is less lazy (more design-oriented? Adventurous? Something!) than I am and recently did a(nother) blog redesign. I bet her on Twitter that it’d be by a certain day. While I’m pretty sure I won that bet, I love the new design. Slightly different look, same amazing writing and story-telling powers. Kenya is one of those rare gems whose writing style makes me feel like she’s speaking directly to me while we’re hanging out in the comfort of her kitchen drinking coffee, or enjoying Kristi Sandwiches together.

And, today, she’s back on Our Land. And she’s awesome. Again. Always.

Our Land: Words of Encouragement

Football Season 2013:

I was sitting in my car, earshot from the practice field and close enough to watch what was going on. I hear, “Oh, you don’t LIKE IT?” I look up. A father is talking to his son, who happens to be the smallest player on the team. The father says, “We can get “the F” in the car right now and go home. You need to get “your D” act together. You better NOT cry or Ima slap “the S” out of you.”

Oh my goodness, I was about to burst out in tears. The age group of these kids ranges from seven to ten years old. I wanted to run over and tackle that man. What was so hard about this father giving his son a pep talk?

Words of encouragement go a long way…

Fall 2011

Christopher was six-years-old and had been taking individual swimming lessons. He had to pass a swim test to enter swim school. When he passed, I gave him a hug and told him how proud I was. In an important tone he said, “I just remembered what Uncle D told me – that I was brave and strong – so I did it.” I smiled. That had been two months ago and he was still holding onto those powerful words.

Fourth of July 2011 – powerful words in effect

We vacationed with two other families and Christopher met “Uncle D” for the first time. They bonded instantly. We had rented a boat to fish, swim and Jet Ski. At Christopher’s reluctance to try anything that the big kids were doing, Uncle D would talk to him and tell him how “brave” and “strong” he knew that he was.

Armed with a life jacket, Christopher fearlessly jumped in the lake with Uncle D standing by and rode on the Jet Ski with my husband. He ended up having one of the many “best days of his life.”

  

On the next day, we went to Busch Gardens. I hadn’t told Christopher where we were going. His past two carnival ride experiences had not been exciting for him, so I didn’t want to stress him out. We just told him that the place where we were going was going to be “fun.” When we approached the park and he saw a roller coaster from the parking lot, he said, “Oh no, there is no way I am getting on that!”

While we stood in line as a group to ride “Apollo’s Chariot” you could see his face fill with apprehension. I explained that we were all going to take turns and he didn’t have to ride.

Despite our squeals of laughter, he was having no part in our excitement. He partnered up with Uncle D as we walked to find the next ride. When the big kids were getting on something less intimidating and Christopher met the height requirement, he said, “Mom I’m going to try that ride.” He took the hand of one of the teenagers and bravely went on.

My poor kid, I could see him crying and holding on for dear life. When he got off the ride, he told me that he was “never going to do that again.” He was more upset that Uncle D was going to be disappointed. He was disappointed in himself. He said to me, “Please don’t tell Uncle D that I cried.”

As soon as we met up with the guys, Christopher went to Uncle D with his head down and said, “I got on a ride but I wasn’t brave and I cried a little.” Uncle D gave him a high-five and said, “But I’m proud of you for trying. That WAS brave!” Those words brought out a big smile, and Christopher was light on his feet for the rest of the day.

The words “brave and strong” have been lasting words of encouragement as Christopher applies their meaning to other aspects of his life.

2 years later…

Encouraging words can be the key to unlock potential and release power in any individual. Before we speak, let us think, “How will these words be effective?”

Many thanks to “Uncle D” and those who share the same gift of encouragement! May good words come back to bless you.

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“May good words come back to bless us all.” Yes. That. I told you that Kenya’s words are powerful and amazing. Here’s more about her:

Kenya G. Johnson is a freelance writer, editor, blogger of Here’s the thing... and the author of The Christopher Chronicles. It’s a delightful, warm and hilarious compilation of adorable phrases and thoughts from her son Christopher. In real life, I imagine that she often says “Here’s the thing…” just as she does in her writing. I love it. I also like to say it back to her as often as I can. She’s currently working on three writing projects. Kenya resides in Jacksonville, North Carolina, with her husband and her son.