I heard a great story about a group of frogs who were hopping peacefully through the woods, going about their froggy business, when two of them fell into a deep pit. All of the other frogs gathered around the pit to see what could be done to help their companions. When they saw how deep the pit was, the rest of the dismayed group agreed that it was hopeless and told the two frogs in the pit that they should prepare themselves for their tragic fate.

Unwilling to accept this terrible fate, the two frogs began to jump with all of their might. Some of the frogs witnessing the struggle from above shouted into the pit, “It’s hopeless,” and began to let their their two desperate amphibian brothers know that they wouldn’t be in the situation they were in if they had been more careful, more obedient to the froggy rules, and more responsible. “Save your energy,” they said. “Savor what life you have left….which isn’t much!” 

The two frogs continued jumping as hard as they could, and after several hours of desperate effort were quite weary. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to the calls of his fellows. Spent and disheartened, he quietly resolved himself to his fate, lay down at the bottom of the pit, and died as the others looked on in helpless grief. Although his body was wracked with pain and he was completely exhausted, the other frog continued to jump with every ounce of energy he had. His companions began again, yelling for him to accept his fate, stop the pain and just die. 

The weary frog jumped harder and harder and, wonder of wonders, finally leaped so high that he sprang from the pit. Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his miraculous freedom and then gathering around him asked, “Why did you continue jumping when we told you it was impossible?” Reading their lips, the astonished frog explained to them that he is deaf, and that when he saw their gestures and shouting, he thought they were cheering him on. What he had perceived as encouragement inspired him to try harder and to succeed against all odds.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” We all need encouragement and someone to spur us on. There is no greater feeling than to know you’ve impacted someone for the good. The world needs more lifters of people and fewer sifters of people.

Here are some universal rules of encouragement…

• If people feel insecure…Give them confidence
• If people want to be loved…Care for them
• If people want to open up…Listen to them
• If people are hurting…Be there for them
• If people have questions…Point them to the truth
• If people hurt you…Forgive them

Be a lifter and pick people up with your actions and your words of encouragement. The more courage you give others the more they are able to accomplish. Be a good frog and believe in others!