Did you know that September 12 each year is the National Day of Encouragement?  Since that’s coming up in a few days, I thought I’d help you get ready to celebrate it!

As someone who has worked with and on behalf of young people for decades, I love that the idea for National Encouragement Day came from young leaders.  In 2007, a group of university students in Arkansas started The Encouragement Project” because they recognized that “lack of encouragement” was one of the most significant obstacles faced by youth.  Arkansas made it a holiday, and soon after the federal government designated September 12 each year as the National Day of Encouragement.

The timing is not coincidental.  Since September 11 is such a tragic day in American history, the National Day of Encouragement is a counter-balance.  It is a poignant reminder of the power of love and support that humans can offer one another – in grief, sorrow, difficulty, and tragedy.  It is also a call to action – spurring us to do something simple to uplift someone else. 

So how will you observe the National Day of Encouragement this year?  Here are 5 simple suggestions!

1.     Return the favor.

Take 10 minutes to review your life.  Make a list (or mind map!) of the people who’ve offered the most significant encouragement to you over the course of your life.  (If that feels too daunting, just pick a time period, like a certain decade, of your life.  Or just choose one person who’s recently encouraged you.  Don’t overcomplicate this – make it doable!)  Then, offer them some encouragement in return, along with your gratitude for the ways they’ve supported you.  This doesn’t have to be a long message – a short email, text, or card will go a long way.  If you don’t have a way to contact someone anymore or they’ve gone home to their heavenly reward, offer that message anyway – as a prayer. 

2.    Pay it forward.

No doubt you can think of times when someone has offered encouragement just when you’ve needed it most.  Keep that chain of kindness going by paying it forward and encouraging someone else.  Who in your life needs a little encouragement?  Who seems a little down?  Who is facing a struggle or challenge?  Whose confidence might need a boost?  Maybe it’s someone at work.  Maybe it’s a family member or a friend.  Maybe it’s a stranger that you see at the grocery store.  Take courage yourself, and step forward to uplift that person, even if it’s a stranger or someone you don’t interact with frequently.  Share with them something positive you notice about them, their work, or their effort.  Simply seeing them, noticing them, and offering a kind word and smile can go a long way. 

3.    Support a young person.

In keeping with the original intent of the National Day of Encouragement, offer some help, mentoring, or support for a young person.  Celebrate the achievements of someone you work with who’s younger (or less experienced) than you.  Offer some affirmation for a young family member or friend.  Ask them how you might be able to help them – whether that’s with a task, with some words of wisdom or perspective, or simply a hug.

4.    Send only positive vibes on social media.

Resist the urge to complain or vent on social media, at least on September 12!  Instead, look for ways to offer encouragement on others’ posts.  Don’t just like, love or share “concern.”  Add a comment or send a private message to share light in darkness, comfort in sadness, or hope in despair.

5.    Ask for encouragement yourself.

Yes, I know this might be the hardest one on the list!  Most of us relish the chance to lift others’ up, but we rarely ask for the support we need.  If you’re in a season of life right now when you could use a little encouragement, consider taking a step into vulnerability and sharing your fears, disappointments, or challenges with someone you trust.  You can even tell them that you don’t need them to solve the problem, but to just hold it with you for a little while.  It’s a good bet that they’ll offer some genuine encouragement along the way.

Let’s bring more heart.

We don’t have to save all encouragement for just one day each year, but shining a light on this National Day of Encouragement is a good excuse to bring this practice front and center.  At the root of the word encourage is the Latin word “cor,” meaning heart.   Together, let’s take some small steps to bring a little more heart into a hurting world.