Three amazingly Simple Steps to Improve Our World

Not every crisis demands the intervention of a military leader with stars on his epaulets or a powerful politician. Sometimes, the resolution can be accomplished by deploying an enormous army of untrained volunteers. Before outlining the three amazingly simple steps to improve our world, let’s take a quick look at the growing catastrophe.

A shocking two out of every three Americans suffer from low self-esteem. We aren’t born with it; the condition develops with exposure to our world.

A recent survey disclosed eighty percent of the nation’s two-year-olds enjoy a healthy self-esteem. By the time the child reaches ten, the eighty drops to twenty percent. For those graduating from high school, a staggeringly low five percent have a healthy self-esteem.

That’s the bad news. The overwhelmingly good news is that we can do something to reverse this tragic decline. Let’s take a look at the three amazingly simple steps to improve our world.

Step One: Recognize

When faced with the gruesome statistics, we can see our children need help to feel good about

themselves. That’s where the village can help raise the community’s children.

We recognize that

• Affirmation is essential to every human being. How much more the children growing up in today’s world.

• Encouragement costs only a few seconds of time. The effect of encouraging words can brighten the day of any child.

• Hesitation to offer affirming words can be overcome. Understanding the importance children place on adult approval combats apathy.  Practicing affirmation will conquer the fear.

Step Two: Respond

Most of us fear we’ll say the wrong thing, or that the parent in the check-out line will think we’ve got criminal intent if we speak to their kids. Such reaction is rare indeed.

Years ago, I waited in line at a grocery store in Jerusalem. The bedraggled mother just ahead of me struggled valiantly to keep her toddler in that little spot in the cart designed to give small fries a safe adventure through the aisles. His screams and flailing arms and legs signaled no imminent victory for Mom.

“Have patience, Yusef,” said the dear lady with a sigh.

Well, I’m one of those folks who hear a phrase and break out into song, so I followed my inclination. Leaning close to the baby Israeli, I softly sang one of my favorite kids’ songs from The ‘70s production, The Music Machine.

“Have patience. Have patience. Don’t be in such a hurry.” (The arms and legs dropped; the now-silent little head tipped toward me.) “Yusef, when you get impatient, you only start to worry.

“Remember. Remember that God is patient, too, and think of all the times when others have to wait for you.”

I sang the song a few times, giving Mom a chance to complete her purchasing. More than Yusef and Mom responded to the funny Americans attempts to return peace to the front of the store.

I get it that not everyone will feel comfortable acting like they’re living in a musical, but even a simple “Hello,” makes a difference.

Walking the streets of old neighborhoods in Europe, I feel so much better when a passing stranger greets me. Having grown up in a small Montana town, I thought the whole world said “Hello” to folks they meet along the way. Not so.

In fact, the suicide note left by a young man in California said simply, “If you’re reading this, it means not one person smiled or said ‘hello’ to me from this apartment to the Golden Gate bridge. I jumped.”

Just a simple smile recognizes the person has value. The following are suggestions for other comments children like to hear—but be honest or they’ll know you’re lying:

• Cool shirt.

• That’s a great color on you.

• You’ve got a beautiful smile (for girls) or nice smile (boys)

• Your hair looks so nice—or what a good haircut.

Small kids are easily engaged when the spotlight turns to something of interest to or about them. Don’t touch the stranger’s child, of course, but take a few seconds to interact with the youngster, and you’ll make his day.

Teens? You bet adolescents need encouraging comments from strangers. They might not be getting any at home. Don’t expect a five-minute discourse with a teen, though. Just something like, “Cool cap but I’m a Cubs fan,” as you pass the Mariners supporter in the hardware aisle.

Sounds like insignificant comments in the midst of our busy lives, but it speaks volumes to our hurting kids. It says they’re important.

Step Three: Repeat

Practice Steps One and Two as often as possible. Let encouragement become a habit.

Not only that, but an incredible sense of well-being sweeps over the encourager as the child smiles back or offers verbal interaction. Mission accomplished—well done!

The more this intervention is practiced, the better our kids will feel about themselves. The serendipitous truth is that it is a genuine blessing to encourage another person. All of us benefit.

Conclusion

Another school year is upon us. We can make a difference right away.

Take notice of the young people in your surroundings—in the neighborhood, at church, or in the stores. Look for the opportunity to offer a word of affirmation.

Practicing encouragement frequently will positively affect the self-esteem of our nation’s children. Let encouragement become a habit and you’ll share the blessing of improving our world.

Find a child to encourage before today ends. Let’s commit to reversing that dismal trend.