Late night thoughts have me all over the place these days. Work to get done, meetings to schedule, plans with friends the next day, talking to advisors, finishing applications, eating food or maybe showering soon... The thoughts are here and there and high and low, but there has been this one pretty persistent thought of recent, and I figure that makes it worth a share.
Why isn't it in our natural tendencies to genuinely support one another?
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Why is it not our first instinct to hop on board with people and just simply root for them? To not ask "but are you sure you aren't already too busy?" or "I don't know.. that might be a little overwhelming?" or the all-so-real "have you ever done something like that before?" But to rather add a "dang, girl go get 'em!" or "wow I bet you are going to be so great at that!" or "heck yeah, this totally brings out your strengths as a leader!"
The inspiration behind the title of this article is Michelle Tanner, from the Full House (yes, throwback to the good ole days). Her demeanor was something I know I personally could use a little more of in my life. The constant joy she shared with everyone around her, remembered most notably by her tagline "you got it dude!" which she regularly uttered out of pure excitement and positivity. She added encouragement, laughs, and smiles to every situation because she was so unashamedly excited about everyone's happenings no matter how small or grandiose they may have been.
Imagine if each time we wanted to jump feet first into a new adventure, we did not have to run through the list of one hundred questions through our head about who will criticize you, who you might let down, who is going to be offended, or who is going to try to fight to the finish and beat you out of the success.
Imagine wanting to try something new, and being giddy to the point of tummy butterflies over how excited and encouraging you know that everyone will be towards this new journey. What if life followed suit from 1 Thessalonians 5:11 and we truly bore the wait of the saving grace of Jesus Christ and "therefore encourage[d] one another and buil[t] one another up." I can only speak for myself, but that sounds pretty incredible to me. Just think how much further along we could take our college extracurriculars, our project-focused course work, and our future careers if we always had a squad right beside us unquestionably rooting for our success. Shouting and praising and encouraging and lending a helping hand, while you do the very same for them.
Sounds to me like life would be a joy ride: never wanting to let this page turn because the one you are on is just too amazing to consider there being anything better.
The funniest part of this is, that is not some mystical land of fairies and unicorns. That is just life when people recognize the power of words and choose to use them to leave this minute better than they walked into it. If we all could focus on leaving these peers more confident than they were when you met them; leaving this season bearing more fruit of joy and kindness and grace than we had when we entered it; leaving this world a better place than if we weren't a part of it.
I can't say for sure, since this has never been the truth of my circumstances. But even so, I have a good feeling about this. My prayer is that God will grant any and all willing hearts enough grace and patience to starting being a picture of this support for our people.
Here is to another week in classes and a bajillion more chances to use our words to do something great. Stay sweet, my friends.
