the year of the encourager

I’m excited seeing many people choosing a word for the year or rather a word is choosing them.  A declaration of intention for the next 365 days which will translate into shaping the ones to follow as well.  And for me, what I keep coming back to over and over again is one idea.  It’s more than a simple word. It’s a way of life with endless possibilities.

Encourage. 

The other day, a friend asked, if you could do one thing for the rest of your life {and get paid} for that, what would it be?  Without hesitation, I knew, make art and encourage others in their own creative journeys.  It’s two things, but only one really, because as you respond to the stirrings of creativity within you, something pours out. Creativity is the gift that keeps on giving, and there is no tolerance for hoarding.  Why do you think we are so excited to share what we make with others?  For affirmation, yes, but also for encouragement, to say, if I can do it, so can you.

And you can.

So, we take our word and as Mandy says, you seek out that word, always on the look out, looking for secret messages, for opportunities, you embark on a mission to {fill in the blank}.

…

Last night, I did something that has always intrigued and terrified me.  And this morning, I woke up  feeling braver than yesterday. Never again will I wonder, what if, could I?  Because, I did it and I love it.

However, that’s a different story, because when I sat in the chair as the stylist chiseled away inches and inches of my hair, more inches than ever, we talked.  It turns out that she has a giant book of poetry that she has neglected for years and she’s always loved drawing, but hasn’t done it in so long.  And it’s strange how I didn’t think much of this conversation, I suppose, because talking about art and writing is like breathing to me, but I mostly noticed how she confidently shared her creative interests, instead of denying their existence or her ability to be such.  It wasn’t even me who realized what had happened, until Matt mentioned, an opportunity to encourage.

I’m glad I sat in her chair.

 

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

–Howard Thurman

So, if you could do thing for the rest of your life {and get paid} to do so, what would it be?