National Day of Encouragement

Source

I looked at my wall calendar and noted that today is: National Day of Encouragement. Per Wikipedia National Day of Encouragement was announced in 2007 and occurs every year on the 12th day of September.

“The National Day of Encouragement is about inspiring Americans to make deliberate words and acts of encouragement a part of this day first, and then a part of every day of their lives."

The U.S. Senate simple resolution that was passed goes even further:

Whereas negative images, stories, and influences in the day-to-day lives of the people of the United States can detrimentally affect their emotional well-being, interactions with others, and general demeanor;

Whereas a group of teenagers participating in a leadership forum at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, identified a lack of encouragement as one of the greatest problems facing young people today;

Whereas the youth of the United States need guidance, inspiration, and reassurance to counteract this negativity and to develop the qualities of character essential for future leadership in the United States;

Whereas a National Day of Encouragement would serve as a reminder to counterbalance and overcome negative influences, and would also provide much-needed encouragement and support to others;

Whereas, following the events of September 11, 2001, thousands of people made sacrifices in order to bring help and healing to the victims and their families, inspiring and encouraging the people of the United States; and

Whereas the renewed feelings of unity, hope, selflessness, and encouragement that began on September 12, 2001, are the same feelings that the National Day of Encouragement is meant to recapture and spread: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) designates September 12, 2011, as ‘National Day of Encouragement’;

(2) acknowledges the importance of encouragement and positive influences in the lives of all people; and

(3) urges the people of the United States to encourage others, whether through an act of service, a thoughtful letter, or words of kindness and inspiration, and by that encouragement to boost the morale of all people of the United States. (Source: http://www.chicagonow.com/going-for-gusto/2012/09/five-easy-ways-you-can-celebrate-national-day-of-encouragement-today/)

So I'm all about encouragement over here regardless of what's going on in your world. I recently wrote this post about encouragement.

In addition why not:

• Tell your parents thank you
• Show your appreciation for your job
• Have a grateful spirit
• Say hi to a random person on the street
• Encourage yourself
• Pay it forward

Be encouraged.

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Instead, your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will lead the people into the land. Encourage him, for he will lead Israel as they take possession of it. Deuteronomy 1:38

Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. 1 Samuel 23:16

The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. Proverbs 10:21

How do you encourage others?