Pep Talks

I’ve never been on a football team, a hockey team or even a cheer leading team. But I did play a little basketball in high school. Our school was so small that you didn’t have to be tall or even very good to play basketball; you just had to show up.

During my stint as a basketball player I had two different coaches.

Coach Ann hollered a lot, often until she was had turned a dangerous-looking shade of purple, noticed every mistake the players made, and pointed out our errors in front of the rest of the team for the benefit of all.

Coach Jenn also shouted a lot, jumped up and down, and cheered when any of us made a great pass or a basket, and reinforced our successes while training us to do better.

Even when we lost, which was fairly often, she encouraged us by saying we had done a good job and that next time would be better.

Which coach to you suppose helped us win more games? Both, each in her own way, or you could say, neither, given our dismal record of wins.

But Coach Jenn made us want to play better and win more games than Coach Ann did. Coach Ann made us want to quit.

When one or the other of my daughters is having a down day, she sometimes calls and intones in a plaintive voice, “Mom, I need a pep talk.”

Since I’m a pretty positive person by nature it’s not too difficult to think of something uplifting when the need arises. Sometimes, it’s as simple as saying, “You can do this,” or “It will work out, you’ll see.”

An encouraging word from a friend can make all the difference in keeping going or giving up. Commiserating isn’t usually helpful.

If someone you know is miserable, what good will it do to become miserable with her? (Misery may love company but it doesn't help.)

To encourage means to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence. How we need those things sometimes!
 
My aim is to encourage us all to believe in ourselves more, to be inspired, to know we are not alone, or just to laugh.

I write to inspire you with courage, spirit and confidence. Whatever you want or need to do, know that you can have the courage required to do it.
 
You have the strength, the ability, or the inspiration to follow through.

When the going gets tough, find someone you can call for a pep talk. If you don’t know anyone, you can always contact me. I’m happy to help you put the pep back in your day.
 
Live lusciously!