Last night’s TV news report told me that the last couple of hours paddling in the Avon Descent was hard work but I already knew that. I saw it in the faces of the paddlers that went past me on a quiet part of the river in Caversham yesterday afternoon.
What I also saw in their faces was the value of encouragement. As they worked hard to make their way past our vantage point you could see the effort they were putting in. One by one or sometimes in small groups they made their way towards the finish line of the worlds longest white water event.
There was around half a dozen people at our lonely spot by the Swan River. As the weary paddlers drew level we would break into applause. The change in their faces was immediate. Sometimes it was just a smile, other times they would respond by yelling, ‘thanks’ and even one paddler let out a heartfelt, ‘cheers’. Anyone who had the guts to paddle all that way had my respect, win, lose or draw.
Of course there should be a special cheer for those who train hard and cross the line first but I wonder how often we forget to encourage those who have also put in a big effort just to be a part of something.
If you want to see the wonderful transformation that encouragement brings, make a point of encouraging someone today. Find someone at work, school or at home that needs a couple of kind words. You don’t have to be over the top with it; a few simple words can work wonders.
Let me know how you go.
Posted by Rodney Olsen
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I agree. Even at work, being thanked for doing the job you are, after all, paid to do can give you a big lift.