Backstory
My friend Elizabeth Cottrell just published a book about how handwritten notes have comforted, encouraged, and provided extraordinary support. Her book Heartspoken provides a guide to help readers improve the emotional support of their handwritten words.
Reflecting Elizabeth’s advice to write out encouragement, today’s Consider This show is about conveying best wishes on success. It recognizes the importance of acknowledging small triumphs as well as major joys.
Congratulate Success
A friend just bought a new house overlooking the Atlantic. I am so happy for her. It’s exactly what she wanted; a dream come true.
If I applaud her success and wish her well, and really mean it, then her success adds to my own happiness. Isn’t it great, how that works? Hers is a really big success.
But we are surrounded daily by lesser successes that can also be recognized and appreciated. Be sure to acknowledge the success of those around you. Don’t just assume they know you are proud of them. Tell them. Make a special call to give congratulations. Write a personal note. Friend, relative, child, colleague, or acquaintance, your congratulations will add immensely to their joy in success. Give kudos generously. They’re FREE! And they have such value to those who receive them.
Do it today. Find a reason to congratulate success. Even better, spread the word about someone else’s success. There is no finer form of flattery, especially when it is sincere And from the heart. Look for someone to congratulate today, and make it a good one.
P.S. Who has time to sit around writing notes? Here are some suggestions for creating time:
- Mute the TV when serial commercials begin and write away.
- Choose a greeting card that expresses what you want to say and write less by hand.
- Put a clipboard and notepaper in the car. Write while stuck in heavy traffic.
- Be motivated by how much you love the person you’d address.
[Show #264]
First of all, thank you, thank you, thank you for your encouragement and support on so many occasions, but especially recently in the launch of my book. You have always practiced what you preach, and I’ve seen you time and again, in our community, finding quiet but important ways to encourage others. It IS contagious.
I have quite a bit in my book about the importance of using notes to encourage and congratulate others, whether they are personal friends and acquaintances or professional associates. It flows with just about any religious tradition you want to examine, because encouragement is a form of kindness and generosity…it is love in action. And we all know that love is not just an emotion, it’s a verb!
And these are great examples of ways to free up the little bit of time you need to write more notes. I talk about this a good bit in my book too.
Yes, your advice to congratulate success is such deep wisdom and leads to happiness for both parties. It is a practice that applies to any age and any situation. It can even be “one off.” When you congratulate a young person on an achievement, drop a note to their parents too. We never get to old to love hearing good things about our children.
When an author gathers up all the inspiring thoughts and values developed over a lifetime, and presents them between two covers, this is a chalice with something sacred inside – your heart and soul. So yes, I bow at the altar where your book rests, and venerate the way your words make the world kinder and more sincere. God bless you and your heartfelt messages, Elizabeth. https://www.heartspoken.com/
Dear Sister – You taught me to do this many years ago, through your example, and I still do it because I see how happy it makes others to be recognized and appreciated. Thanks for the example and for spreading this simple truth.