Student says “I am very discouraged, What should I do?”
Master says “Encourage others”
This speaks to me so much. It feels there is lots I could
despair about this morning – all 3 items through my letterbox this morning
brought grief in varying degrees! However, I long ago learned that if I dwell
on my woes they can overwhelm. If I reach out to others I get a far healthier perspective
of the world.
On Sunday, I was in a bad place and instead of going up to
others during coffee after church, I stood still. It felt very different. I
wondered if in some ways I run from my own fears and inadequacies – if I
approach others first, I won’t have to feel the rejection if no-one comes to
me. So it was good to stop and notice that is part of my internal messages. And
it was also good to remember that reaching out to others is a skill that when I
use it, has benefits not just to others but to me too. This is of course not a call to be critical when I or others sensibly respect our own needs to focus on ourselves instead of others, whilst we nurture ourselves.
In choir last night we sang the line “Remember when you
give, you’ll always get your share.” I do believe that the more we give away
the more we get back. So tempting as it is to clutch my discouragement close to
my chest, I shall of course get out there and see what encouragement I am able
to give out today…
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