Where does your encouragement come from?

futurestar1 · #1 05-03-2005, 12:45 PM

When you are feeling down, discouraged, like procrastinating, etc., where do you get your pick me up? Family, friends, mentor, etc?

SummerChild · #2 05-03-2005, 02:28 PM

he's a quote that my mom's friend sent to me

"if you advance confidently in the direction of your dreams, and endeavor to live the life that you have imagined, you will meet with a success unexpected in common hours"

that got me through one day last week

ETA: my mom's friend wrote the quoted language herself - talk about skills

ETA: ok, and i'm calling people out b/c if this was a thread steeped in negativity or denigrating folk on various reality tv shows, folk would be all over it like white on rice. yet when someone asks about something like encouragement, which is positive, all i hear are *crickets*.

Quote:

Originally posted by futurestar1
When you are feeling down, discouraged, like procrastinating, etc., where do you get your pick me up? Family, friends, mentor, etc?

treblk · #3 05-03-2005, 02:50 PM

A Thought for the day (everyday)

We know nothing of tomorrow
of its pleasures, joys or pain
Yesterday is gone forever,
never to be lived again

We live today, only today
and should live it carefully
For all we do, and all we say,
should kind and loving be

I will have a smile for each sad mortal day I chance to meet;
and a cheerful word for each distressed soul to greet!

This has gotten me through many hard days. I learned this affirmation about 11 years ago and every word is so ture. I try to live by it and give it to others when they feel down and out.

futurestar1 · #4 05-03-2005, 03:00 PM

Cuz I was in need of encouragement today.

nachural · #5 05-03-2005, 03:13 PM

usually when I feel sad I think about everything that is going right in my life the things that I really appreciate. Then whatever it is that is making me sad seems so miniscule and I'm like dee you have soo much to be happy about for you to be mad about one small thing.

Sometimes if I cry I feel better right away it's something about a release of endorphines.

BlueReign · #6 05-03-2005, 03:35 PM

Every time I feel down about something I think back to a time when I felt worse or when I was doing a lot worse. I think about how I got over that hump and that propels me forward! I've had to use this method of coping in the last month. It always works.

(and so does prayer

)

stardusttwin · #7 05-03-2005, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by futurestar1
When you are feeling down, discouraged, like procrastinating, etc., where do you get your pick me up? Family, friends, mentor, etc?

Depends on what I'm down about - I have a folder full of emails that have spoken to me from time to time - different prayers or words of encouragement that have definitely helped me out from time to time.

I can also guarantee a smile when I put on certain gospel cd's that I have. After I finish praising for what I already have it makes it hard to NOT be thankful and remember to ask/look for guidance for moving forward.

My church sells tapes of my pastor's sermons - whenever I'm particularly moved I buy the sermon of the day so in future when things are a little off I can (have) popped in one of the tapes for a reminder.

Lastly just wanted to add - I've found that while I'm usually on it sometimes procrastination is a sign that you are heading in the wrong direction. Sit still - evaluate the situation as an outsider and pray on it - if you are going in the right direction HE will send you new inspiration that will make it easier for you to continue. But you have to be open to recognize if HE sends you a sign that tells you to turn back and start again.

I hope this helps some.

strivingsf · #8 05-03-2005, 04:17 PM

It seems for the past couple of months I have been down and negative, however there has been one song that is heading me the right path, "Thou Art A Shield For Me: Psalms 3" by Byron Cage.

The first couple of verses are:

Lord how are they increased that trouble me
Many are they that rise up against me
Many there be which say of my soul
There is no help for him in God

But Thou O Lord art a shield for me
My glory, You lift my head
But Thou O Lord art a shield for me
You're my glory the lifter up of my head

Funny thing is, I had never heard this song before was looking for something else and when I heard it, it stuck in my spirit. I believe inspiration comes in forms that let you know it is for you only. Either through song, person, email, carefree drive into work. You just have to recognize it when it comes.

I will send you a PM.

Gyrl7 · #9 05-03-2005, 04:22 PM

1. Prayer & Music
2. And knowing that there is ALWAYS somone going through something far worse than yourself.

Dionysus · #10 05-03-2005, 04:37 PM

I think of all the losers I know...and think what will happen if I don't shape up.

NuQueen04 · #11 05-03-2005, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by futurestar1
When you are feeling down, discouraged, like procrastinating, etc., where do you get your pick me up? Family, friends, mentor, etc?

Whenever I feel down, I talk to the Lord. In the midst of venting, I end up praising Him for what He has already done for me. There is a saying, "Stop telling God how big your problems are and start telling your problems how big your God is". Well that is what eventually happens, some days it just takes a little longer to get there.

Also, sometimes I think to myself that as long as I have life, things can change. The songs "The Best is Yet to Come" by Donald Lawrence and "This Too Shall Pass" by James Cleveland have seen me through some trying times.

Keep your head up and know that whatever you are going through is only for a time. Peace. One.

ljkelly · #12 05-04-2005, 01:21 AM

When I am feeling down, (and I have been a lot lately), I just go to my Heavenly Father. I get down on my knees and pray and to praise Him ...I also read the Bible...the scripture that helped me today was 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

NuQueen04 · #13 05-04-2005, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ljkelly
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

AMEN!!!!

preciousjeni · #14 05-04-2005, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gyrl7
1. Prayer & Music
2. And knowing that there is ALWAYS somone going through something far worse than yourself.

Me too!

Marie · #15 05-04-2005, 12:21 PM

My mom is always my encouragement. No matter how bad I feel (sometimes so bad that I'm avoiding her and everyone else) she always makes me feel loved, supported, renewed. Sometimes she gives me bible verses or gospel songs to think on and keep me going. Sometimes she tells me just to rely on time to heal me. She'll ask me to wait 1 week and see if the situation improves b4 making any serious decisions/changes. I think my grandad used to tell her that. And guess what...the future is always brighter 7 days later.

Sometimes she just talks to me about how much she loves me, and how the seasons of your life always change. She tells me that nothing happening right now is permanent, and that today's reality is not necessarily tomorrow's. That always makes me feel better.

Oh, I always feel better when I do something nice for someone else. Whether I'm sad or angry, that always puts me in a better mood.

Marie