GEOFFREY MICHEL / L’Observateur / November 18, 1998

This past summer my Paw-Paw suggested I go to a St. Charles High Schoolbaseball camp. I didn’t think that I would know anyone who was going to bethere, so I didn’t want to go. My Paw-Paw and my Mom thought that I should goand encouraged me to go. I reluctantly went and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Theplayers and the coaches were nice and encouraged me and the other boys during the many productive drills. I would have missed out on a great week if I had notbeen encouraged to go to camp.

In the dictionary, encouragement means “to inspire with courage or hope.”Encouragement makes you feel that you can reach for the stars. Proverbs 18:21states, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Our words can buildpeople up or tear them down. People have encouraged me that I can do anything Iset my mind to do. On the other hand, I remember that in the past I havediscouraged people by being negative and making fun of their ideas and dreams.

Now, I deeply regret that. A phrase that comes to mind is from Thumper’s momin the movie “Bambi,” “If you can’t say nothing good, don’t say nothing at all.”We all need encouragement, and we all should be encouragers. I want to be apositive person and not a negative one. I want my words to speak life intopeople and not to tear them down. I want to encourage my family and friends tobe the best that they can be. And I want to encourage you to encourage others!If you have any questions or comments, please write to me at straightkids@juno.com or P.O. Box 1493, LaPlace, LA 70068.

Back to Top

Back to Leisure Headlines

Copyright © 1998, Wick Communications, Inc.

Internet services provided by NeoSoft.

Best viewed with 3.0 or higher