National Day of Encouragement

September 12th recognizes the National Day of Encouragement each year. This day is dedicated to uplifting people around us and making a positive impact.

Offering encouragement to someone is free. It never costs us anything to say a few words to inspire a student, coworker, or friend. Even a reassuring word to a stranger may make a difference in their lives.

Encouragement lifts up someone when they are down. It also motivates a person who has their eye on a goal. When we’ve failed, the right words remind us to keep trying. A little dedication to finding the right message may create a spark that changes a loved one’s perspective. 

Sometimes, the act of noticing a job well-done improves someone’s day. Developing a habit of recognizing emerging talents motivates us to speak up and offer a kind word or helpful tip. It’s a practice worth having, to improve relationships at work, home, and in the world around us. There really is no simpler way. 

NATIONAL DAY OF ENCOURAGEMENT HISTORY

The Encouragement Foundation at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, launched an effort to get Americans to participate in this Day of Encouragement. Mayor Belinda LaForce of Searcy, Arkansas made the first proclamation for Day of Encouragement on August 22, 2007. The following month, Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, signed a proclamation making September 12, 2007, the “State Day of Encouragement” for Arkansas.

Later, President George W. Bush also signed a message making September 12th the official National Day of Encouragement.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalDayOfEncouragement

I can tell you from first hand experience that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Never miss an opportunity to share a kindness with someone. The last thing you want in your life is to leave appreciation, and encouragement unsaid. So make someone smile today. If you’re doing it right you’ll smile more today too.

Make deliberate acts of encouragement. Provide reassurance and inspiration to the people around you. High five someone for a job well done. Take notice when a friend is getting close to a hard-earned goal, encouraging them to keep going. Send a card or give a call or text to a family member who may be struggling.  Remind them how important they are to you. Use #NationalDayofEncouragement to share on social media.

NATIONAL COURTESY MONTH

It takes little effort to extend kindness. The entire month of September gives ample opportunity to practice being kind. It’s National Courtesy Month!

The word courteous comes from the Middle English word ‘kindness,’ which means ‘noble deeds’ or ‘courtesy’. One of the greatest novelists in the English Language, Henry James, once said: “Three things in human life are important: The first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; the third is to be kind.” So, what does it mean to be courteous?

Courtesy can mean several things to different people. To some, being courteous means to be helpful. To others, being courteous means to be polite and having good manners. Courtesy can be words spoken or an action towards someone. Courtesy is about manners and respect. How you choose to show someone courtesy is entirely up to you!

A single kind word keeps one warm for three winters – Chinese Proverb

Courtesy should never have limits for people you know. Showing a stranger common courtesy could be the defining factor of their day. Oftentimes, a small gesture, such as a compliment, can make a person feel appreciated. When people are considerate to one another, a positive effect happens. Moods improve and smiles are easily found. Starting your day with a polite demeanor will have a ripple effect for the people you encounter!

Though we were unable to find the founder of National Courtesy Month, we did find a National Courtesy Campaign launched in June 1979 by the Ministry of Culture of Singapore. The campaign aims to encourage Singaporeans to be more kind and considerate to each other.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

There are so many ways to show kindness to people through courtesy. Hold the door open for the people behind you! Mow your elderly neighbor’s lawn! Compliment that shy person you see every day on the subway! Above all, SMILE at everyone you meet!

Use #NationalCourtesyMonth to share on social month.

NATIONAL JUST BECAUSE DAY

On August 27th National Just Because Day offers up an opportunity to do stuff…just because.  Feel free to celebrate this day any way you choose.  Just because!

Every day we all do things that are expected or required of us. Sometimes we even do things because we have to do them, we don’t know why.  Well, on this occasion, that does not apply.  This day is a chance to do something without rhyme or reason.

  • It could be that there is an outfit at the mall that you are admiring; buy it…just because.
  • Maybe you want to use a vacation day just to go fishing; do it…just because.
  • Perhaps you would like to pay the tab for the table next to you at your favorite restaurant; do it…just because.
  • Possibly you want to sing really loud while you’re in your car, by yourself, with your windows rolled down; do it…just because.
  • Surprise someone with flowers…just because!
  • Make something up…just because!
  • Or maybe, just maybe, do something just because Mom said so.  

NATIONAL JUST BECAUSE DAY HISTORY

In the late 1950s, Joseph J. Goodwin of Los Gatos, California created Just Because Day. It began as a family holiday and grew into an annual celebration across the United States.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #JustBecauseDay

Do something just because.  Use #JustBecauseDay to post on social media.

Be an Angel Day

August 22 is Be An Angel Day. Established in 1993 by Jaune Howard Feldman, the day encourages people to be angels to those in need.

In many religions, angels are supernatural spirits that are thought to be responsible for protecting humans.

Are you an Angel? This day reminds us that even though we can’t be actual angels, we can create the kindness they are known for. Showing kindness and goodness to our fellow human beings is not hard – all we need to do is to stop thinking about ourselves for a while, and to think about how we can make the world a nicer and kinder place.

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How to Celebrate?

  • Be kind to others. Do something to help a stranger.
  • If you know of someone who is going through a difficult time, give them your support and let them know that you are there for them. Help them out in their difficult times.
  • The person you make smile today may need it far more than you know.

In today’s world we have the opportunity to be anything, be kind!

If you decide to give to a charity there are a lot of choices out there.  I try to give to charities who spend more on the people they help than administration and CEO’s.   Here is a listing of my favorites.

The Salvation Army exists to meet human need wherever, whenever and however we can.  When you give locally, you ensure that the people in your community get the help they need.

At the Gary Sinise Foundation, we serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need.We do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.

Animal Allies Florida – was founded in December 2010 to help animals in our community.  Many of us have been doing this work for years on our own, out of our own pockets.  By creating Animal Allies , we can apply for grants, fundraise and join programs that support our efforts.  We can combine forces, share knowledge, and support each other, instead of trudging along on our own. Originally called Emerald Coast Animal Allies or ECAA for short, we changed our name in 2015 because many people though ECAA meant Escambia County Animal Shelter.  Although we support the county animal shelter’s efforts to become no kill, we don’t wish to be associated with them because we ARE NO KILL meaning no healthy animal is put down.

Whatever you choose, know that you are making a real difference in someone’s life.  Sometimes the biggest gift you can give another is to simply be there and listen.  Each of us makes an impact in the lives we touch.  I always compare it to touching the surface of a pond. Those ripples will be felt by others, I try to make my ripples count.  I hope this inspires you to get involved, give, and simply be kind in a world that so often is not. Together all those positive ripples add up to shape our world.