There is great power in the act of encouraging others. There is so much negativity in the world, falling into perpetuating negativity brings down moral and will eventually cause others to stop liking you. Become a light in someone’s life so they can pass that light onto others.
It is easy to fall into negativity through ruts of frustration and pain. It is normal for people to vent their frustrations from time to time, but when it comes a common lifestyle or a method to bond with others, results into a toxic situation. It is important to identify this, recover and transition into a positive cognitive thought process. While it may be easy to spark up some relationships with others that are going through some of the same struggles, it does not create a foundation for a lasting relationship.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. – Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
People in general, do not need negativity in their life. It is easy to point out what is wrong or bad, but to overcome that and find the positive side is much more difficult. This is not to say that everything needs to be rainbows, unicorns and ponies, as an understanding of the negative unintended consequences is necessary in good decision making.
Much like how smiles are contagious, so is a good, positive attitude. No one wants to follow someone who thinks the sky is falling. People are naturally optimistic and will be motivated through positive thinking. There is so much negativity in the world, being positive and encouraging others is like a lamp in the darkness.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
The next time you see someone at the office, tell them what a wonderful job they are doing. Even if it is undeserved, people will feel encouraged by it and aspire to make it a reality. I came to this realization when I worked for someone that told us we were giving our 110% and she was proud of us. Now, I realize that we were not really giving it our 110%, but I sure felt awesome and it motivated me and everyone else on the team to step up and work towards giving that 110%.
Admittedly, being positive is an area that I have struggled with in my life. Misery loves company and for the past few years I was pretty miserable with some situations in my life that I did not empower myself to change. I was in a pit of despair and we all continued to keep each other down in that pit hoping things would change.
And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. – Matthew 5:30 (ESV)
If you are in a situation where you are in a sea of negativity and it is dragging your down. Consider this your call to action to empower yourself to change your life for the better. If your job prevents you from being the light to encourage others, go look for another one. If your home life is causing you pain, I urge you to seek counseling or seek the bible for answers. All things are possible through Him.