50 Ways to Leave Your Lover

Don’t worry, Marsh…I’m not leaving, I’m just referencing this song.  And really? It got your attention, didn’t it?  Cheap tricks do work sometimes. Which is why I have a University of Georgia credit card and a cheap fleece blanket. But I’m completely off subject here.

What this post should really be titled is “50 Was to Encourage Someone”. See, I’m the depressive-type. I get the blues often, and I’ve been clinically treated for depression more than once. But some people? Some people aren’t the depressive-type. And when they get down or blue or even just out of sorts, it’s hard for me to sit back and just watch. (Unless you’re a celebrity, and then…I admit it…I read about it in People and see it on ET, and think about how it sucks for you, but I’m glad it’s not me. Yeah…I’m talking to you, Lindsay Lohan.)

Anyway, I was thinking about encouragement and how you can encourage people.  And it’s easier, I think, with girls.  But I tried to come up with a list of things that anybody could fairly easily do for someone who’s struggling.   Here’s a starting list.  Just note that some things really work for some people, and some things have the opposite effect.  Most guys don’t want flowers. (Am I wrong about this?)  And some things are free(!) and some things aren’t so free.  And there are many times that the free stuff means more than the expensive stuff.  Just sayin’.

• Send an email.
• Write a letter.  You know, with ink and paper.  And *gasp* a stamp.
• Just call and say: “You’re doing a good job” or “I want you to know that I’ve been thinking of you” or “You can do it”.
• Show interest in what (s)he has to say, even if it’s redundant or you disagree or couldn’t care less.
• Send flowers. (Nice gesture of appreciation for hard work.)
• Send food.  (Even better gesture of appreciation for hard work.)
• If appropriate, give them a little shoulder rub.  Or a gift certificate for a massage.
• Ask how you can help…and then actually help.
• Be specific when you compliment someone, whether it’s the jewelry they have on or the activity they planned or a point from the lesson they taught that was particularly touching to you.
• Say that you’ll pray for her/him and actually do it.
• If you’re not the praying type, send good vibes his/her way.
• Jewelry is always nice.  🙂
• So are gift cards.
• Invite her/him to dinner.
• Tell them about the positive impact they’ve had on your life.
• Be a confidant.  A real it-goes-no-further-than-this-room person.

What are some more that you can think of?