When we hear the word “invest,” we often think of investing in the stock market, in real estate, or for retirement. While it’s good to invest that way, the truth is, those investments will eventually fade away. The best inheritance we can leave our children and others around us is what we invested in them, not what we left for them. When we’re not taking time to share what we know with the next generation, then we are not being faithful with what God has given us. God expects us to impart to others. The next generation should not have to start over. They shouldn’t have to re-learn what we’ve already learned. We should be pouring everything we know into our children, into a young person, into that co-worker in the office, and into people in our organizations. We’re all leaving a legacy. Let’s make sure it’s an intentional legacy. The only investments that are going to last are the investments we make in other people. We didn’t get to where we are on our own. Somebody invested in us. Make it a goal to invest in someone else. You can leave a mark that cannot be erased. If you will take time to invest in people; mentoring, teaching, training and modeling, then those seeds that you sow will be multiplied back to you.
Most people in our world today need encouragement. They need to be validated and affirmed. So, I encourage you to ‘Be an Encourager.’ Here are 10 simple ways you can encourage someone and make their day; maybe even change their lives:
- Show genuine interest in them.
- Take time out to listen.
- Be available.
- Send a note (email or sms) telling that person you appreciate them.
- Look for something positive about the person and tell him or her.
- Tell the person one thing he/she does well (be specific.)
- Acknowledge when that person does something good or well.
- Don’t forget to say, “Thank You.”
- Get to know what interests that person and pass across useful information.
- Be Kind.
Thought for the Day:
“It’s one of the greatest compensations in life that no one can help another without helping themselves.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
