Encouragement

Encouragement, like everything, is a multi-layered concept.

There is one layer in which the Spanish word for encouragement is apt. Animar. This word has connections to the Spanish word for cheerleader and the English word for animate. This layer of encouragement is the one you give to someone who is trying to do something that is difficult. The goal of this type of encouragement is to motivate them to continue in the difficult thing. You might hear phrases like, "Keep going" or "You can do it" or "It'll be so good when you accomplish this!" This layer of encouragement is useful in many ways. It motivates someone who has already chosen to do something difficult and begun the task to keep going through the process, which is often long and difficult. It also helps someone to feel like others believe in them, which can be helpful when they stop believing in themselves as the process becomes more onerous.

There is another layer of encouragement in which you tell someone that where they are is okay. In this, a person might be going through a difficult time and having a hard time getting through it. They might be struggling and want to pull themselves out of the valley and onto the mountaintop, but they need to rest and regain their strength before they continue their journey. Because society and religion often use guilt, shame, and fear to try to push someone out of the valleys and onto the mountaintops as quickly as possible, this kind of encouragement is invaluable because it lets people know that it's okay to be sad, it's okay to grieve, and it's okay to have negative experiences or emotions. "This is normal," "You're doing great," "It's okay to take a break" and other such phrases accompany this layer of encouragement.

I think my favorite layer of encouragement is the one where you are actively supporting someone long-term in the process of walking through something that is difficult. This person has already been through many mountains and valleys, and you have chosen to walk along with them in this journey, weaving these first two layers of encouragement together with the beautiful blessings of presence and support. Not only are you adept at switching between the "you can do it" type of encouragement and the "take a break for now" type of encouragement as the situation warrants, but you're there with them while they cry in the valleys and exult in the mountains. There are not words to describe how valuable simple presence can be. Additionally, sometimes instead of just standing on the sidelines and shouting ideas and valuable truths, you get into the walk and help them. Whether this is removing an obstacle from someone's path or helping them lift the obstacle themselves, you have invested so much of yourself in this journey that you are willing to give of your emotional energy, time, space, and possibly even finances or other resources.

I love to see the deeper layers of things, and I so value the encouragement of those who are willing to go with me into the depths, who see and value the things that are beyond the surface level, and who are willing to weave together a Tapestry that includes both mountains and valleys, all of which are glorious.