Why is it there are 300 million people in the United States (and it seems like we’re all connected electronically) but, yet, the number of people that say they have no one to confide important life events with has tripled in the past 20 years?

I was walking around the touristy section of downtown Denver with my wife, Gwen, when we heard cheering, applause and music in the distance.  As we walked closer it got louder and, when we finally got close enough to see what was going on, we couldn’t believe our eyes.  Twenty people lined each side of the extra wide sidewalk to create a human corridor.  They had signs that read,

        “You’re a big deal!”
        “You matter!”
        “I’m Your Biggest Fan!”

As people (like us) would enter the human corridor, the participants on each side would start clapping, cheering, and singing in praise of the person walking through.  This caught everyone (including Gwen and I) off guard.  As we walked through and were cheered for, I could feel my energy lift and my spirit get lighter.  At the end, Gwen and I both were smiling as large as we could and she said, “LET’S GO THROUGH AGAIN!”  So, we did.  The second time was better than the first and, at the end, Gwen said, “LET’S JOIN IN!”   So, we did!

Although we had no idea what “cult” of happy people we had joined, I didn’t care (and neither did Gwen).  We clapped and cheered as loud as anyone for the strangers going through this tunnel of happiness. Some didn’t want to go through but, after, were smiling as large as any of us at the end.  I had not seen any of the participants selling anything or giving out tracts so I finally asked the woman next to me what this fabulous display of positivity was.  She replied, “We just got together and created an ‘Encouragement Zone’….we just don’t think there’s enough joy in the world.”  At that moment, I felt like the Grinch when his heart grew 10 sizes after realizing that Christmas was about more than presents.  People just giving their time and energy to make others happy without the want of anything in return?  WOW!

We joined in with this team for a good 45 minutes and then floated back on a wave of joy to our hotel.    I laid there in bed thinking about these people and their want to combat the loneliness and negativity of people they didn’t know and thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if we had Encouragement Zones like this at work?”  What if people cheered for others when they got to work, held up signs of encouragement, and showed their appreciation for others just being there?

I don’t know why that (with so many people around us all the time) we are lonelier than ever.  What I do know is that, sometimes, hope can seem elusive and  we need to be encouraged to make the next step or even want to see the next day.  Don’t sit back idly waiting for someone to do it for you, create an Encouragement Zone wherever you are.  Tell people they are important.   Reach out to let them know they’re a big deal!  Be their biggest fan.  I think you’ll find that you’ll see more smiles and your encouragement will get reciprocated.  Be an Encouragement Zone wherever you are.

Gwen and created our own Encouragement Zone on Facebook and we invite you to join it today.  Link:  https://www.facebook.com/TheEncouragementZone