Encouraging someone through life’s challenges.

On By Dr. Andrea DinardoIn empowerment, motivation, Positive Psychology, Purpose and Meaning, Success, Thriving, Video

How do we bridge the gap between expectations and reality?

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The idea we have for our life rarely, if ever, matches up with the life we end up with.

Which is often a blessing in disguise.

Yet something we seldom realize in the thick of difficulty.

Success is not a straight line. 

When dreams fall apart, feelings of failure and helplessness often set in.

This is the exact time when we need others to hold the light for us. To be an encourager. To show us the way.

STRATEGIES FOR EMPOWERING OTHERS

 Dreams ↔ Failure ↔ Destiny

1. Encourage people by sharing your own stories of difficulty and overcoming.

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This helps others understand that no one begins their success journey at the top of the mountain. And that each failure is an opportunity to rise up. Again and again.

2. Hold a safe space for loved ones to ‘not be ok’ when overwhelmed.

Rushing anyone through difficult emotions will prolong feelings of fear, threat, and danger.

Instead, we can flip the switch by leaning into “the overwhelm” and asking: “What are you trying to teach me?”

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3. The ultimate encouragement strategy is to believe in someone, especially when they don’t. 

This helps shift their mindset from not enough to overflowing. Creating a new heightened vision for life’s unexpected bumps and detours.

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“You got this!”💥

38 thoughts on “Encouraging someone through life’s challenges.”

  5. I think its why it is so important to become transparent.. It opens the door to humanize ourselves in a way that softens what other perceive to believe while giving way for space to connect and share in something that offers hope, comfort and strength.. Courage can be infectious especially when others see and feel that they are not so alone..

    beautiful blog ❤

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  6. Well said, my friend. Owning our stuff, being vulnerable, and recognizing fear isn’t from God can move me forward to try. We’ve not cultivated a culture of perseverance. We’ve done more to encourage–especially younger people–to quit or wait for what’s perfect. Love this, Andrea.

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    1. Agreed!

      Our suffering is rarely about the moment itself, but rather our constant need to escape it. Magically thinking that if we only do “A, B, C, D… in perfect order” that Nirvana and all its’ prizes will finally arrive.

      Paradoxically, it’s only when we embrace the exquisite imperfections of our present self, time, place, etc. that our thirst for all things “perfect” finally disappear.

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  7. This is incredible. I love the focus on how we’re all here to love one another, and how we can simply and easily hold the light for someone. Thank you. This is so dear to my heart, Andrea. Funny, because last night I had a dream that I was in a place where our natural gifts came out – one of mine is to connect with person to person in kindness, consideration, and caring. Thank you so much for this post, Andrea.
    Blessings,
    Debbie
    ps – there’s a great Tennyson quote “I am a part of all that I have met.” Thought you might like this, given your sharing. 🙂

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  8. Ubkz

    I really like #2. I think everyone would be a little better off if they could relax and realize that sometimes its ok, to not be ok. Great read, thanks for sharing.

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      1. Thank you Andrea, that’s lovely of you to say so! It is very encouraging personally and great to know you find it encouraging also! One of the workshops I’m attending in Bonn next week is ‘Encouragement’ and I am grateful to be living it daily! Likewise thank you for your thoughtful reply. I can’t begin to imagine how time consuming it must be to respond to so many followers. xx

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          1. Andrea, wouldn’t that be just amazing, to get to meet you and learn along side you! Last year I heard of ICASSI and Bonn but it was only a dream…now it’s just a few days away… it has worked out, so dreams do happen! Xx

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    1. DEtours DEtours DEtours … funny how life is! We think it’s supposed to go “just so”. And then the universe shakes us up with a bigger and better plan for our lives. The “catch” is that we don’t realize it until the end (of the journey). Wishing you a smooth sail until the weekend Boomergirl! With just enough of a bump in the road (ocean) to keep life interesting.

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