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Webwatch 2006-11: Habits of Highly Encouraging People

Webwatch is a column published in the Covenant Companion Magazine every month. It is written by Heidi Griepp, manager of Covenant Internet Services and an avid web wanderer. This month, Webwatch looks at online ways to show you care. 

I decided to write this Webwatch after reading a similar article in Discipleship Journal magazine. Think of it as an online brainstorming guide on how to love and encourage people. Since I’m an over-zealous fan of goals, this is a practical Webwatch. Each habit includes online sources and a specific suggestion for action.

Habit 1: Know what encourages others
www.43things.com/things/view/249519
A group project, 43things.com works a little bit like a blog: you sign up on the site and create content by typing in your ideas and reflections. The site helps people discover their priorities, and then helps them set goals to bring those priorities to life.
Many of the goals at 43things.com help you think about how to love and encourage others. One of the best was “identify 100 things that make my partner happy.” If 100 things is overwhelming, start by thinking of five or ten things that might make the people you love happy.

Action Step: Become a highly encouraging person by making a list to remind you of ways to encourage others.

Habit 2: Give and serve others
www.learningtogive.org
www.covchurch.org/stewardship

Learningtogive.org focuses on teaching young people to be generous givers. The site has lessons and activities for teachers, youth workers, and parents to teach lifelong habits of giving and serving to young people.

This month, the Evangelical Covenant Church sets aside November 12 as Stewardship Sunday. Stewardship means using your resources to encourage and partner with the good work that God is doing in the world. The stewardship section of covchurch.org (www.covchurch.org/stewardship) offers resources and helpful advice for church stewardship efforts.

Action Step: Become a highly encourag-ing person by giving an unexpected gift to someone who needs it—a friend who needs flowers or a gift to a missionary, a ministry, or a church.

Habit 3: Send cards, emails, and notes of encouragement
www.bluemountain.com
www.hallmark.com

I often hear people complain that no one writes letters anymore. I must admit that a hand written note is much better than an email. Still, I also love encouraging emails and have had many experiences where emails and ecards have made my day. Here are some online options for when you want to send a quick note to encourage someone. Bluemountain.com and hallmark.com are two of the more popular ecard websites. Card options include everything from birthday, anniversary, and holiday cards to animated cards just for fun.

Action Step: Become a highly encouraging person by sending someone an encouragement ecard. Who do know who might need some cheering up today?

Habit 4: Reach out and touch someone
www.childrensmemorial.org/depts/integrated/touchhealingstudy.asp
For those of you are not “touchy-feely” people don’t worry—I’m not going to tell you to go hug everyone. But I do want to point out that healthy touch is therapeutic, as this recent study by Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago points out.

Yes, be very sensitive to other’s needs for space. And if you don’t know, always ask. But I would bet that you know people who you can encourage with a hug.

Action step: Become a highly encouraging person by finding healthy and safe ways of expressing affection. Try a high five for starters.

Habit 5: Learn to listen and empathize
www.cnr.berkeley.edu/ucce50/ag-labor/7article/article40.htm

Being a good listener is encouraging. When you listen well, you create a space for other people to speak, to feel heard, and to express something they are processing. Listening well means being intentional.

There are many places to learn about the value of listening well and to develop listening skills. This site features a number of helpful resources as well as a downloadable MP3 recording of a seminar on empathic listening skills.

Action Step: Become a highly encouraging person by listening well.

Habit 6: Give and spend your time
www.upperroom.org/weavings
www.volunteermatch.org
www.biblegateway.com

Spending time with God can give you the energy needed to encourage others. It also gives you the chance to be still and notice who in your world needs encouragement. Spending time with others communicates an important message—that they matter. Giving your time to serve in your church—or in your community—can encourage others as well.

To spend time with God online, check out  Biblegateway.com, where you can read Scripture online, and the website to Weavings, a journal of Christian spiritual life.

Action Step: Become a highly encouraging person by recharging your heart devotionally and giving it in service.

Habit 7: Know crucial dates
www.google.com/calendar
calendar.yahoo.com
Knowing crucial dates goes beyond remembering birthdays and anniversaries, as important as that is. Highly encouraging people know some of the hard days in people’s lives. Like the day a friend’s mother died; the day a friend’s fiancé broke off their engagement; or the fact that a friend struggles with depression at the holidays. Both Google and Yahoo! have great calendars to help you keep track of these important days.

Action Step: Become a highly encouraging person by entering those crucial dates in a calendar and then remembering people on those important days.