My favorite blogger, Michael Hyatt, asked the question, “How are people left when you leave their presence?” The reality is, we have an impact on others, whether we realize it or not. Even if we haven’t been all that intentional, we will leave a positive impact or a negative impact. It is rarely neutral.
This week, I’ve been reflecting on the legacy left by my nearly 90 year old spiritual mentor, ministry partner and friend, Tony Hostetler. Tony was an encourager extraordinaire. He always found a way to brag on everyone else around him. He had plenty of things he could have been bragging on about himself…like riding a bicycle from the Pacific to the Atlantic at age 57. But he always seemed to look for something positive in the lives of adults and children alike, and he then he would point it out to everyone within earshot.
The reality is, when we interact with others, everything we say has impact. Think about it, when you leave a room after an encounter with someone, are people left either…
Encouraged or Discouraged?
Energized or Depleted?
Enthused or Demotivated?
Excited or Disheartened?
Eager or Dispirited?
King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Even the things we don’t say—our attitude, our facial expressions and our body language—have an effect on others. How do you leave people?
The good news is that you are the one who gets to decide what kind of impact you will leave. You just have to become aware of your power. It may be greater than you are imagining. Use it well. Use it for good. Become an encourager.
QUESTION: What is one thing someone else said or did that especially encouraged you? Please share it in the comment section below.
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