Appreciative, Affirming Words

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

The words you are sending or saying
Regarding some working or playing
Can perk up and cheer
The one who will hear
Your words may encourage their “staying.”

Whose words have given you “staying power?”

Three separate modes & messages,
Each bringing connection.

First—
There I was.
Head down,
Cranking uphill into the wind,
I said to myself,
“ONLY to the top of this hill,
Then I’m turning around,
DONE for the day. Too Hard.”

Cyclist appeared on my left side,
Working hard.
Passing me with a cheery call-out:
“Hello, Lin!” 

Right away I felt encouraged,
Even a bit cheery myself.
Seen out there, greeted,
Working hard.
And so was he.

No idea who he was,
Just that we both were doing our best
In the wind.

Of course, within minutes
He was down the road,
Nearly out of sight.

That didn’t matter,
I had been acknowledged
Seen, and noticed.
I rode on for several more miles,
Buoyed up by a cheery voice and greeting. 

Next—

A text telling me that on shared Zoom time,
My color choice was zesty and attractive.
Again, the empowered feeling;
Being seen and affirmed.

And then—

An unsolicited email,
Appreciating my time and presence
During a single day.
Another experience of being positively acknowledged.
Truly a lift.

What I’ve come away with is,
How uplifting any positive, acknowledging words are!
Just a few can brighten, encourage, affirm…
How powerful is that?!

I’m going to 
Deliver my Appreciative, Affirming Words.
Probably in short, two liners:

“Good job!  
You can do this!”

“Way to go. 
Keep on keeping on!”

Sincere, and direct—
These words matter.

Hugs,
Lin

P.S. My 10-day ride
Begins May 19.

More frequent trip posts
Will be coming your way!

Birthday outing with Bob