Thinking Out Loud

A Word of Encouragement Lights the Fire

In her work, Optimism, Helen Keller writes, “With the first word, I used intelligently, I learned to live, to think, to help. Darkness cannot shut me in again. I have had a glimpse of the shore, and can now live by the hope of reaching it. P. 10

NOTE: Some years ago, I was beginning a new job with great responsibility. Shortly after I began working one of the people who reported to me (he had been in his position for many years) came to me and said, “Ray, you have five daughters and a wife. This job will kill you. You should quit. He left me and I was at a loss for words. I called my wife and told her what happened. She simply said, “You can do this.” That’s all I needed, a word of encouragement from the one I most trusted. I did do it and I did it well. One word of encouragement is all most of us need to open the door to the talent we already have. There is someone in your life who needs a word of encouragement, offer it and you will make all the difference.