All Things Inspired

It's easy to demean others around us, but instead, what if we lift someone up?

Have you noticed more and more people in our society today will often focus their energy on demeaning other people around them? Why do they do this? Does it make them feel better about themselves if they can belittle others? Perhaps. However, I think it's more about posturing themselves above others. This type of person is typically profoundly insecure about themselves, so they focus on perceived deficiencies of others to deflect attention off of themself, thus making them feel more in control of their own social status. Sure, it's easy to demean others around us, but instead, what if we focus our efforts on lifting others up?

When we lift others up, not only do others benefit, but we benefit as well. We rise to our highest potential when we lift others up. We should never want to be the reason that someone feels insecure. By our example, we should enable others to feel seen, to be heard, and engage in society through our support. In my journey through life, I've heard people say, "why should I lift someone up? Nobody ever did that for me." That may be true, and it would be easy to understand that you're not obligated to support anyone else. But what if you could make a difference in someone else's life? What if you could overcome not being supported by someone in your past and try to lift yourself up? Booker T. Washington said, "If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else." What is meant by this is what I stated earlier. We rise to our highest potential when we lift others up. There is no greater opportunity for a win-win in life than to lift someone up!

Lifting someone up in life has numerous benefits. It can make an difference in one's life that you are lifting up. When one's confidence grows through your support, they engage more in our communities. That creates a ripple effect as communities become stronger, fostering mutual growth and trust. And this positive cycle comes back to you. Again lifting yourself up by lifting others creates a positive cycle in life. What a fantastic impact that can make!

Take a look at this graphic on the circle of influence that lifting someone up can have. This circle starts with you and ultimately comes back to you, and includes the following:

Benefits of the individual you are lifting up
Benefits of the community and engagement of others who you've inspired
Benefits that circle back to you, where you are lifted by lifting others.

The circle of influence in lifting someone up can be far-reaching and impactful to others.

What is the best way to begin to lift someone up? I'm glad you asked! It starts by just offering yourself to hear what someone has to say. Listen with no reaction, no judgement, just open mind and open heart to hear what they are saying and feeling. You may have heard this before, listen in such a way that others love to speak to you. And when you do speak, speak in such a way that others love to listen to you. Here are some simple phrases you can try to get started, to open the opportunity for others to speak to you...

I believe in you - tell me your story.
You're capable - how can I help you get started?
I'm here for you - tell me what's on your mind.
Keep going - your stronger than you imagine and more capable than you may realize.
You've overcome challenges before - reflect on what got you through those times.
You've survived a 100% of the worst days you've had - this is no different, you can do it.
Trust yourself - how can I support you?
You're amazing as you are - you don't have to be perfect to work through adversity.
You don't have to see the whole staircase - just have faith in yourself and take the first step.
Your greatest opportunities are ahead of you - how can I help you in that direction?
Your story hasn't been finished yet - I'll support you unconditionally.
I'm hear just to listen to you - what would you like to tell me?

I don't know if we have any Reggae fans out there, but I want to close this topic with a quote from Reggae Legend Bob Marley. He said, "Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet." The essence of his quote is there is a difference in how people appreciate the "rain", also to mean experiences of life or troubles of life. This would suggest that some people completely embrace and find something meaningful in every experience they have in life, while others "get wet" by enduring what happens as inconveniences of life without any appreciation or lessons learned.

We rise by lifting others up! There is nothing more wonderfully impactful than taking the opportunity to lift someone up. Can you imagine the impact you can have on someone if you just listen and encourage; show empathy without judgement or expectations; speak words of kindness that help heal over wounding? Your efforts will not be wasted if you do. Start today and...

Be inspired! Inspire others!