So support one another. Keep building each other up as you have been doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Voice

“You can do this, honey. I know you’re nervous but I want you to just go for it. You are one of the best speakers I have ever heard and you are so determined. Don’t get discouraged now,” Bill said as he gave me a big hug.

I am blessed with the strong memory of this conversation as I was struggling with whether or not to become a motivational speaker. My late husband, Bill was an encourager who built up those around him. I went to the audition and was selected as one of only 2 that made it out of over 80 people. I became a motivational speaker and traveled around the country speaking on leadership and creativity. It was tiring and exhilarating.

At that very moment of making the decision to go for it, I was weak and needed someone to build my confidence.

Who has done that for you? Surprise those you love most with honoring words. Use the wording provided to write them an email or card. A phone call would also be very welcome.

Honor Keys

Think of a time when you felt discouraged and were ready to throw up your hands in despair. Who came along to encourage you to believe that you could do it? I remember Ms. Beal – my fifth grade teacher. She was strict yet fair. To this day, I will always use one line to cross out my mistakes.

Who is on your honor list?

Active Definition

Building others up involves encouraging them to become all that God has called them to be. You build by seeing the gifts in others and promoting them above yourself. This selfless encouragement accelerates growth and releases talents where they are most needed.

Wording

Thank you for your steady encouragement to push myself out of my comfort zone in order to become all that God has called me to be. I so appreciate the time that you told me not to give up on ______________ because you were confident I could do it. Just hearing those words made me believe that it was possible. And … I did it.

For more ways to honor those closest to you click here.

Author, speaker, corporate trainer, ordained minister and Hope Catalyst, Karen Sebastian enjoys sharing her rich life experiences with others – engaging them in adventurous discoveries of the beauty of hope in a dark, cloudy world. Her books will inspire you to embrace hope no matter what you are going through. To increase hope and improve relationships with yourself and those that you love, check out her Facebook page – The Power of Hope. Karen’s third book on hope – The Power of Hope for Caregivers: Honor the Ride will be released on 11.20.18.