You Can Bring Up the Room
- Blog You Can Bring Up the Room
Choosing positivity and encouragement
I recently sat in a meeting where those in leadership roles spoke very poorly to one another. Their tones were snippy, their responses were short, and their questions sounded loaded like large rifles ready to discharge should the answer cause even the slightest bit of frustration. I felt all the positive air in the room slowly leak out like a balloon pricked by a pin. Along with that positivity went any sort desire to participate in the meeting, and energy to volunteer for roles or tasks. I left feeling deflated and discouraged.
The same thing translates to home. I notice when my children and I get in the habit of speaking poorly to one another, (though we try not to, and this is a thing we talk about a lot) we all feel a little dejected, we don’t get nearly as much done and the tasks we do together become a drag.
I’ve noticed how we speak to each other matters and it matters a lot. We can either speak life into one another or we can lob words and phrases like monkeys throwing dung at the zoo.
Just as quickly as we can bring down a room with our short fuses, we can also bring it back up. All it takes is a kind word, small smile, or bit of patience. This can change someone else’s countenance from angry and frustrated, to gentle and understanding.
And that’s our job as leaders.
We see our disgruntled employee, experience their negativity and frustration, and we diffuse the situation with understanding and hope. We walk into a meeting that’s riddled with complaints and still we lead with positivity, kindness, and assurance.
We spend our time intentionally encouraging others and creating culture that does the same. We shine our light and we can make a difference, not only within the walls of the businesses we serve, but also in the hallways of the schools where our children attend, or the aisles of the grocery stores we frequent.
But it’s not easy and day in and day out we can find ourselves discouraged or tired or even just a little bit angry that others around us aren’t always doing the same. So how do we stay strong? How do we keep bringing light and encouraging others with positive words when the negativity can feel so big?
Allow me to encourage you with these few things:
- You’re never alone
God is with you and he will help you. I’ve had many a moment I’ve wanted to throw in the towel, either at work or at home. It felt too big, or too tiring, or I just didn’t want to be the one responsible anymore. When I stop and ask for God’s help, he always answers me. He inspires a friend to randomly drop flowers on my porch (true story), or a song plays on my Spotify shuffle with lyrics that hit home. Sometimes a bird flutters close, reminding me of his presence, or I find a small moment of peace soon after I’ve asked for his help. He reminds us in the book of Exodus as he’s talking with the Israelites, he says, “I will fight for you, you need only to be still.” We have a big God who fights for us, especially in the toughest of moments.
- What you are doing matters
Whether you are sitting in the VIP suite at Bucks games, wiping runny noses of children at home, mopping floors in office buildings or all three, or two of those, or something else entirely, you are where you are supposed to be and the work you are doing makes a difference. The more you understand and believe that, the more you will be able to persevere through the tough days, empathize with those around you, and even inspire others through difficult trials.
- You are good at what you do
You are equipped for what you have been called to do. Much like God equipped Moses, David and Mary, God does not place people in roles and then leave them to flounder. Each day, you have what you need to do your job well. With that confidence, you can go forth with joy and positivity, learning and growing and bringing positive light to even the most aggravating of circumstances.
When the days feel long, and the conversations feel frustrating, when you’ve endured yet another problem at work, or whiny child at home, remember these things and let them lead you to persevere through the hardship and continue to choose words that encourage others. Remember, you can bring up the room.
Author: Ashley Buenger
Related Content
Comments