Coffee With Maddie




Words. We speak thousands of them each day. At least I do! And we have a choice of every word that comes out of our mouth. We can use words to encourage someone and build them up. Or, we can use words to discourage and tear someone down. The words we speak are very important.

While searching my bookshelf recently I came across a book called Silver Boxes, by Florence Littauer. Silver Boxes is a wonderful book about encouraging others. It pays particular attention to the words we speak. Mrs. Littauer is an author and a national speaker. One evening while speaking to a group of children about saying encouraging words to others, she had a little girl raise her hand and say this: “Our words should be like little silver boxes with bows on top.” The words coming out of our mouth should be like a “present” to the recipient. Uh-oh!

Are the words that come out of your mouth worthy of being called a present? Does everyone receive your words with eagerness and excitement? I’m afraid I can’t say “yes” to either of those questions - at least not 100% of the time. Phrases like “how many times do I need to tell you . . .” and “why don’t you ever . . .” need to be eliminated from my vocabulary before I can begin to answer yes to either question.

Take a minute and think about the people who’ve made the biggest impact on your life. Did they make a positive or a negative impact? And how did they do that? I could just about “bet the farm” it’s because of the words they said to you. Last week I was watching an actor being interviewed on the Today Show. He thanked his mom on national television for believing in him and encouraging him to be his best. Is there anyone in your life who would thank you on national television for cheering them on?

Recently a woman’s group I’m involved in started working on a book called Building Better Relationships, by Bobbie Yagel. The last time we met we discussed the chapter entitled “Encouraging One Another.” We came up with all sorts of different ideas to encourage others. Now it’s just a matter of putting those ideas into action and making a habit out of them. There was one area we all agreed we needed to work on - encouraging those closest to us. For the most part we decided we do a pretty good job with our friends and acquaintances. Those are usually the people that see us at our best. But that’s not always the case with those closest to us. We often take for granted that they know we love them, believe in them and wish the best for them. Why would we need to tell them that? We need to tell them because it’s maybe something they need to hear.

What words are coming out of your mouth these days? Are they presents to those you’re speaking to? Or do you maybe need to wrap up a little silver box, put a pretty bow on top and set it where you can see it all the time? I may have to wrap up a whole bunch and put them everywhere - each room in my house, my car and on my cash register at the restaurant where I work.

The late George M. Adams said this, “There are high spots in all of our lives and most of them have come about through encouragement from someone else. I don’t care how great, how famous or successful a man or woman may be, each hungers for applause.” Be someone’s cheerleader today. Cheer them up and cheer them on!

Until next week . . . God bless you and yours! -Maddie

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Coffee With Maddie: Archive;
Blessings
Magazine Junkie!
Maddie Goes to College
Changes
Let the season begin!
Getting Older!
I'm Getting Fat!
I Love a good book!
Family Games
Manners!
Someone to Love
A Special Anniversary
New Year Goals
My Spinal Tap!
The Book Store
I Salute Our Men in Uniform
Valentine's Day
My Birthday Choices
Current Events and Politics
Cabin Fever

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About the Author;
Maddie is a dear friend from the Midwest who will touch your heart with her gentle stories of home of family. You can just picture yourself at the kitchen table any early morning with Maddie, a fresh cup of coffee, maybe the smell of bacon in the air, and a log on the fire to take out the chill.

Talk to Maddie at ...
Maddie@boomerjournals.com