E is for Encouragement
My theme for this year’s Blogging from A to Z April Challenge is Marriage from A to Z in 55 Words. E is for Encouragement, yes, we can all do with this in our Marriage!
Her eyes followed me everywhere.
Sometimes they admonished, sometimes they smiled.
I was beginning to dislike her.
Her words reverberated in my head.
They were always correct and always true.
I hated her, then.
As I look back at my life, I realize that I am what I am, only because she believed in me.
A Word to the Wise
Instruction does much, but encouragement everything. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Join me in enjoying blogs from fellow A to Zers Eli E Zachariadis, Elsie Turtle. Do share some blog love with them too!
You can check out my A-Z posts thus far by clicking on a highlighted letter!
April 5, 2014 12:15 am|
Someone who believes in you makes you a happy and successful person, marriage needs this kind of belonging and belief. Another beautiful post.
April 6, 2014 9:11 am|
True that, Sulekha and in this process both the individuals and the relationship blooms so well! Thank you 🙂
April 5, 2014 2:55 am|
Rather than marriage, this post makes me think of my mother. We had a difficult relationship when I was young, which has gotten better as I have gotten older.
April 6, 2014 9:12 am|
Yes, mothers can be like that too, always encouraging and always critical! Glad that you share a wonderful relationship with your mother now, Teresa! 🙂
April 5, 2014 3:06 am|
This also reminded me a lot of my mother. Always right and sometimes I hate it when she is. But she’s always right.
April 6, 2014 9:13 am|
Oh yes, mothers have this uncanny habit of being right always! Wives are no less 😉
April 5, 2014 3:12 am|
Sometimes I feel sad for the men, first it is the mother, then it is the wife who is always right…but their egos forbid to pay heed to wise women… Nicely done Shilpa.
April 6, 2014 9:16 am|
I know, poor guys! 😀 But they are like that only, always on the wrong, what can women do, they have no option but to ‘guide’ and ‘correct’ them always 👿 😉
April 5, 2014 3:16 am|
That is so true. People who encourage me made me want to live up to the potential they saw in me, to be a better me, do better. Those that try to instruct.. I don’t know why but I tend to ignore them. The inner rebel I guess. Thank for another insightful post.
April 6, 2014 9:22 am|
Agree, instruction without encouragement is not easy to accept. Encouragement can help you explore your potential and when you do that it is a rewarding experience. Thanks Damaria 🙂
April 5, 2014 3:51 am|
Women should rule the world. I have a feeling it would be a better place to live. Thanks for sharing the sweet poem.
April 6, 2014 9:24 am|
I agree with that, Nana 🙂
But there’s this one liner I read some time ago, which said that if women ruled the world there would be no wars. Just a bunch of angry countries not talking to each other! 😛
April 5, 2014 6:35 am|
Hello there. Yes, encouragement in any relationship is important, but the Bible gives the best counsel on maintaining a happy balance in marriage. I encourage you to read Hebrews 13:4 and Ephesians 5:21-25, 28-33. All the best with the challenge!
Entrepreneurial Goddess
April 6, 2014 9:25 am|
Hi. Thanks for sharing that, Entrepreneurial Goddess 🙂
And good luck to you too.
April 5, 2014 6:51 am|
Exceptionally cool how you include some bloggers who begin with the letter of the day. And you have the encouragement thing down flat, my friend! 🙂
LuAnn Braley
AJ’s Hooligans @AtoZChallenge
Back Porchervations
April 6, 2014 9:26 am|
Thank you so much, LuAnn! Glad you liked it 🙂
April 5, 2014 7:06 am|
So difficult to accept the truth,Shilpa:)
April 6, 2014 9:27 am|
You bet!!
April 5, 2014 7:23 am|
It is true that no one likes to be instructed all the time, but encouragement does wonders.
April 6, 2014 9:27 am|
Well said, Ma’am 🙂
April 5, 2014 7:37 am|
Your site is lovely and inviting. Your poem rang very true.
Thank you for sharing.
Frances
April 6, 2014 9:27 am|
Welcome here, Frances. Glad you liked my blog 🙂
April 5, 2014 8:13 am|
How good we feel when there’s someone to encourage us. And all the more special, if it comes from the spouse 🙂 Superb, Shilpa ji 🙂
April 6, 2014 9:28 am|
The best is when they realize the value of the support and encouragement! Thank you Sreeja 🙂
April 5, 2014 9:40 am|
one always need encouragement in life… specially from the partner… truth hurts but I believe there’s always a nice way to say that.
April 6, 2014 9:29 am|
Pinching, harsh, sarcastic words (instructions) will do no good at all. Its not what you say, but how you say it, that’s important!
April 5, 2014 10:37 am|
O, that was very well said, Shilpa! Always correct, always true….only if we can see it to be so, early in life 🙂
April 6, 2014 9:33 am|
Yes, the sad part is that the realization comes in pretty late!!
April 5, 2014 10:46 am|
This is so true! And works both ways…but yes the woman plays a major role in encouraging and nudging and cribbing 😉
April 6, 2014 9:42 am|
True, what would we do without the support and advice and push from our men!!
April 5, 2014 10:55 am|
Shilpa, it is true we are enriched by our experiences! Loved the post. I adore the word encouragement!
April 6, 2014 11:58 am|
Thank you so much Vidya! 🙂
April 5, 2014 10:59 am|
Encouragement makes us strong. Visiting on the A to Z
April 6, 2014 11:59 am|
Thank you Katy and welcome to this space 🙂
April 5, 2014 11:12 am|
Encouragement can make a huge difference.
Unfortunately, sometimes, the person being encouraged ignores the encouragement, or reacts negatively to it, if (s)he wrongly thinks that (s)he is being criticized.
April 6, 2014 12:00 pm|
True that and it is such a sad thing to happen!
April 5, 2014 12:14 pm|
A very truthful post and an inspiring word. Love the quote.
April 6, 2014 12:00 pm|
Thank you Suzy 🙂
April 5, 2014 1:01 pm|
Sometimes, it is just that we don’t realize how much the words meant at that time 🙂 But perhaps, better late than never!
April 6, 2014 12:01 pm|
Yes, we believe that the person is picking on us which is certainly not the case!
April 5, 2014 1:12 pm|
Having someone who believes in us and encourages us is a true gift.
April 6, 2014 12:02 pm|
Agree, blessed are those who have such wonderful well wishers around them!
April 5, 2014 1:40 pm|
Encouragement is good to give sometimes but one should’t live their life expecting it always. The mind and heart give give enough of it.
PhenoMenon
April 6, 2014 12:03 pm|
Yes, that’s an interesting perspective. We need to be self starters and self motivated too 🙂
April 5, 2014 1:56 pm|
Sounded like the poor guys mother! I can understand why it can put someone off!! But he does realize her worth, so good.
April 6, 2014 12:12 pm|
Oh yes, the poor guy must have heard all his life from his mother and must not have been able to say anything to her and now she has a wife to do just that!! 🙄 Yes, the realization comes in much later, always! 🙂
April 5, 2014 2:51 pm|
Because we can be such harsh critics of ourselves, it is so important to have a partner who believes in us…lovely 55-er as always Shilpa! 🙂
April 6, 2014 12:13 pm|
Agree, when somebody believes in us, half the battle is won! Thank you PB 🙂
April 5, 2014 3:31 pm|
Ah… looks like I’ll be joining you n Corinne for this word… amazing how you put this into stories 🙂 love encouragement 🙂
April 6, 2014 12:14 pm|
Encouragement is never enough, so good that so many of us are spreading the word, Danny! Thanks 🙂
April 5, 2014 4:54 pm|
It is a fine line between encouragement and right down nagging and ridicule. Everyone needs encouragement. People thrive with it. ♥
April 6, 2014 12:16 pm|
A positive encouragement is always good. But there are people who take ridicule as inspiration to do better too!! ♥
April 5, 2014 5:17 pm|
Believing on someone – it does a lot of good to that person.
April 6, 2014 12:21 pm|
Agree completely!
April 5, 2014 6:15 pm|
Being monitored may seem repulsive to some…but actually it is kind of encouragement behind the scenes…
Lovely 55 fiction….
April 6, 2014 12:22 pm|
Well said, Sheela. Thank you 🙂
April 5, 2014 7:12 pm|
yea that’s true… nothing like encouragement that comes from ur better half…..!!
April 6, 2014 12:22 pm|
Oh yes, it means the world when your spouse supports you!
April 5, 2014 8:21 pm|
Shilpa,
Gem absolutely and there is no denying this fact. I speak from personal experience of motivating our children as well as workers.
Take care
April 6, 2014 12:29 pm|
Oh yes, if we can inspire someone, it is indeed a fab thing!
April 5, 2014 8:52 pm|
We have to give encouragement to everyone, especially ourselves.
April 6, 2014 12:30 pm|
Well said, Michelle 🙂
April 5, 2014 9:34 pm|
Encouragement does wonders… Great word to choose for E and you have penned it precise n concisely.
April 6, 2014 12:29 pm|
Thank you Sri 🙂
April 5, 2014 9:36 pm|
We all need that one person who encourages us and believes in our dreams!
April 6, 2014 12:33 pm|
Oh yes, when you have someone who believes in you, you start believing in yourself too!
April 5, 2014 10:01 pm|
It’s such a wonderful thing to have someone else’s support in life. Great post ❗
April 6, 2014 12:37 pm|
Absolutely! Thanks Debbie 🙂
April 5, 2014 10:03 pm|
Encouragement means a lot, Shilpa and you’ve beautifully woven what it means to us:)
April 6, 2014 12:37 pm|
Thanks for your kind words, Vishal 🙂
April 5, 2014 10:59 pm|
I always try to encourage people. It costs me nothing but it’s everything to someone on the receiving end!
April 6, 2014 12:38 pm|
That’s such a fantastic attitude in life, Cathy! Love it! ♥
April 6, 2014 2:16 am|
Loved the post. Made me smile 🙂
April 6, 2014 12:38 pm|
Thanks Shesha 🙂
April 6, 2014 2:32 am|
Its so true, since we spend most of our time with our spouses, their encouragement is vital !
April 6, 2014 12:39 pm|
It means the world, isn’t it, Ananya! 🙂
April 6, 2014 4:32 am|
This post made me realize how many people actually ‘believe in me’ and have encouraged me so many times, my husband, my daughter and a very special friend. I will be sure to thank them and I thank you for this post
E is for Emergency http://batteredhope.blogspot.ca/2014/04/dogs-e-is-for-emergency.html#.U0CLjCjc_Vg
April 6, 2014 12:46 pm|
Lucky you to have so many people supporting and cheering you, carol! That’s awesome! ♥
April 6, 2014 7:56 am|
When someone believes in you, you are extra responsible.
April 6, 2014 12:39 pm|
And extra motivated to do better!
April 6, 2014 11:15 am|
Well thought out.
April 6, 2014 12:46 pm|
Thank you Anil 🙂
April 6, 2014 11:21 am|
Read all your 55-ers. Your theme is good and your technique in writing 55s is excellent. 😀
Dagny
April 6, 2014 12:47 pm|
Thanks a lot, Dagny for your kind words 🙂 ♥
April 6, 2014 1:03 pm|
Somehow these days I can understand all the people close to me, and also my feelings towards them are changing slowly. I am liking this new me I see in myself turning in to.
I didn’t expect to change, but I am happy at the change of attitude that is happening in me, as I see things from a different perspective.
April 6, 2014 3:29 pm|
How cool is that, Rama!! Happy for you!! ♥
April 6, 2014 2:36 pm|
Shilpa, I made my husband read your 55er he smiled. Speaks how true your expression is in this case. Encouragement is often not just words but a sense of belief 🙂
April 6, 2014 3:31 pm|
‘I made my husband read your 55er, he smiled’…I am sooo glad that it resonated with him too 🙂 Thank you Richa! ♥ 🙂
April 6, 2014 2:41 pm|
Loved that quote, Shilpa! If only more people realised that simple, axiomatic truth. That holds good for any relationship, isn’t it?
April 6, 2014 3:32 pm|
Oh yes, we all can do with a little encouragement, anytime, anywhere! Thanks Shailaja! 🙂
April 6, 2014 3:51 pm|
Encouragement and belief are two important ingredients of marriage. Loved your topic for the challenge.
April 8, 2014 11:44 pm|
Thanks Diana! 🙂
April 6, 2014 6:59 pm|
Such an important pillar of marriage no? To believe in each other!
April 8, 2014 11:44 pm|
Very very crucial, indeed!
April 6, 2014 10:08 pm|
Loving your choice of topic for this years A-Z. My husband and I are renewing our vows this year and my topic is all about the planning and preparation for our celebrations 🙂
Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
x
April 8, 2014 11:45 pm|
Wow! Best wishes to both of you, Suzanne! 🙂
April 7, 2014 1:46 am|
a partner who believes in us and encourages us can surely add as a fuel towards achievement of our dreams! lovely post Shilpa!
April 8, 2014 11:45 pm|
Well said, Nibha!
April 7, 2014 10:20 am|
Beautiful take on E, shilpa! encouraging each other and being there for each other during the ups and downs is one of the keys to a successful marriage.
April 8, 2014 11:46 pm|
True that! Thanks Asha! 🙂
April 7, 2014 5:11 pm|
Yes, Very sweet and short post with a message direct to the head and to the heart. I thought of my mother 🙂
April 8, 2014 11:46 pm|
Thanks Poornima! 🙂
April 7, 2014 6:42 pm|
Absolutely.
I am confessing here,I am what I am today is only becuase she trusted me,ecouraged me.
That is why the say..
Behind every successful man there is a woman.
Behind evry unsuccessful man……..there are two.
Cheers
April 8, 2014 11:47 pm|
That’s so very sweet of you, Mr Chowla. Hope she reads this comment of yours! 🙂
Hahaha! That’s a good one! 😀
April 7, 2014 11:28 pm|
sometimes a little word of kindness and a nudge of encouragement is all what it takes 🙂
April 8, 2014 11:48 pm|
Oh yes, just a small bit of it is enough!
April 8, 2014 12:33 am|
Lovely! You have said it well!!
Encouragement takes us a long way! 🙂
April 8, 2014 11:48 pm|
Thanks Pixie 🙂
April 8, 2014 5:28 pm|
Compile all this and publish!!!!
April 8, 2014 11:48 pm|
😀 Thanks Sheethal. 🙂
April 8, 2014 5:38 pm|
Absolutely heart warming and beautiful post, Shilpa:)
April 8, 2014 11:49 pm|
Thank you Vishal 🙂
April 9, 2014 12:49 am|
Beautiful….I agree how important it is to encourage each other…that’s what keep us going together 🙂