I have the great fortune of being asked to speak at many events each year from civic clubs to women’s ministries. Each group is unique, and it is enjoyable to meet people and hear their experiences in life. I love to share my life’s story in hopes that someone will find encouragement in it.
Every time I speak, I close with these thoughts below. These words were sent to me years ago by a Southern Lady reader and have been so encouraging to me and many other people.
Right Now
Right now, someone is thinking of you.
Someone wants to hold your hand.
Someone is wishing you were near.
Someone loves you and misses you.
Someone wants to cry on your shoulder.
Someone is thinking of you and laughing.
Someone wants to hear you laugh.
Someone wants to share a cup of coffee.
Someone wants to give you a gift.
And someone thinks you are the gift.
Please remember how special you are to those in your life. You make a difference! Let us challenge each other to tell people in our lives how much we cherish and love them. It will change them, and it will change us.
Comments 42
Beautiful and encouraging. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings to you, Phyllis.
Your message was timed perfectly. Yesterday was my husband’s birthday and he passed on August 12th. We were best friends as well as lovers and I miss him terribly, but I know he is now healthy and in a better place. It has been hard but your poem was inspirational and made the day a little easier. Thank you.
So sorry Kathryn.
Dear Carmel… So sorry to hear about Mom… I lost mine 13 years ago and there is not a day goes by that I do not think of her… Try to live on your wonderful memories…. My sincere condolences… Denise Pellegrino
Thank you so much for all your kind words. It means so much. Carmel
Thank you so much for sharing this lovely poem. I will share it with some dear friends of mine at our next get-together. I know it will become an instant favorite!
Love the poem will also share.
One of my favorite ways to encourage others is by hugs,
Hushing my mouth and hanging
Around! It helps with making
Everyone feel special!
What a lovely poem. It says it all. I agree with your challenge Thanks for sharing.
Dear Phyllis, My Mother of 99 years of age just passed away on the 20th of this month and
we will put her to rest this Monday. I still wake up crying every day and Hospice is guiding me to group and therapy. I have a big hole in my aching heart but I know Mom is in Heaven. Hallelujah she is no longer in pain and suffering. I thank God and You for your timely message today as our Pastor wanted me to speak at the funeral services. I will read “Right Now” Thank you for being here when I needed some words
to share…..it’s just so painful, thank you, and God Bless… Carmel
I will keep you in my prayers. Remember, she is not far away! Gwedhen
I lost my precious mother a little over a year ago and was devastated, but I know we will be reunited one day! Prayers going up for you!❤️
Dear Carmel,
I send my thoughts and prayers to you!!
I too have lost my mother…. In 06…. And still shed a tear at times!!
But now…most often when I think of her, I smile! I recall her strength…her story telling (we are Irish and boy could she tell a great story) and her love of family.
So, take care of yourself but allow this time to grieve! It is normal when someone so dear leaves us. But remember just because we cannot see our loved ones….. They are near.
Again, I’m so sorry for your loss!
CJ
My deepest sympathy Carmel, I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my precious step father of nearly 50 years in January, 2 uncles in the following 60 days and my mother-in-law last month. It has been a year of loss as the older generation passes away. I can so much relate to your pain. My mother has cancer and is 88 years old. I don’t even know how to prepare for the inevitable event in the future but for now am counting each day with her as a gift. I just wish I didn’t live two states away so I could be with her more often. Blessings and comfort to you and everyone who are going through similar experiences. I too enjoyed the beautiful words of encouragement in the October 29th journal.
This is such an amazing and powerful post and poem! We never know what our words of encouragement may do for someone having a difficult time. Words, spoken from the heart matter in people’s lives. Right now, I am grateful for the reminder. xo Lidy
Thank you for these words of encouragement. I love the poem. During the last few years of my sweet husband’s terminal illness, we were both so uplifted and loved by many people who were constant encouragers to us. By being so encouraged by others, I learned how important it was and have tried to be more aware of those who could use a card, note, phone call, or even a hug. Sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most.
How timely. I am reading a book right now written by Dr. David Jeremiah, The Joy of Encouragement, because I want to be an encourager. Thank you, Phyllis. There are so many people hurting or those that just need a cheerleader for them along the way. The world needs more encouragers like you. I like to send cards with a personal note of kind encouraging words. Most of all, I try to put actions behind the words. It’s how I like to be encouraged.
Sherry
Such great words of encouragements! When a friend or family member needs my help, I always try to remember what was told to me in my time of need… These words came from a very dear friend who was my mother’s age… She was my mentor and her kind words are inside me always! So very grateful for friends or family who have shared their thoughtful words. Always remember the time in your life when you needed this.
When we are uplifting others, it is a gift for us also. I smile or wave at people randomly. I say “hello” to people I pass on sidewalks or aisles of the grocery store. When people I know are down I show empathy, but also point out a side of humor in the darkness.
Phyllis,
Thank you for the encouraging words. It does mean so much when people think of you in such regard. It’s also nice to let others know how much they mean to us.
Many blessing to you always. Thanks for all that you do.
Years ago my very overweight aunt (also my god mother) was trying and losing weight – every few weeks I sent her a card of encouragement or “proud of you”. She has been gone many years and I never did reveal to her that I was the one responsible.
I am now helping to care for my brother who has Alzheimer’s and trying to think of things to take when I visit — your poem is now one of them. Thank you so much.
Love your blog and love you Phyllis – thanks for being our “gift”!
Thank you for these insightful words.
May God Bless you and all of those with whom you share your thoughts…
Lovely poem! Thank you for sharing. Another one that I love to share is a prayer by St. Francis de Sales and begins with “Be at peace…” My friend sent it to me years ago at a time of sadness and I was so encouraged by the beautiful words. She said her priest closed each service with the prayer.
Your “ribbons” always make my day. Thank you and I will pass the poem along!
CJ
So uplifting. I will share. Please remember me to your sweet son Brian.
Thanks for sharing. I will use this for encouragement to others.
I plan to share this poem at the end of our Sunday School class !
Smiling at people randomly – most respond with a smile in return.
Lovely. Someone asked me recently if I could have lunch with anyone alive who I would chose. Some of our group said celebrities like Brad Pitt, others politicians, and still others great minds. I said you. I told them that you would be a very interesting person to meet because you value beauty and manners in a world that at times seems obsessed with the ugly. Thank you for he beauty that you bring to us all.
Nikki, I so agree with you about the value of Ribbon in My Journal, but also ALL the Hoffman publications. Oh, how our hearts, minds, and souls yearn for beauty, creativity, loveliness, and holiness.
Thank you, Phyllis, for pointing us to that which feeds our deepest hungers–behind all that is the Master Designer and Giver of all good gifts, Father God!
Well lets just hope we can meet and have dinner sometime. That would be so much fun. Thank you for your lovely comments.
Thank you so much Phyllis. I feel we all need as much encouragement as possible these days, and I try to spread it and kindness all of the time!!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Artist Lesley Schiff
Lovely – thank you for sharing this!
Beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you Phyllis for sharing this beautiful poem, so appropriate, over the past few days, I have been thinking of so many friends from younger days, each one a gift!
Been at the bottom of the well for quite some time. Your posting gives me hope that I will be out soon.
When you are at the well try to look up. Your Heavenly Father is there and knows where you are. We I am the most down I sing praises and thanksgiving to God. May you feel more uplifted soon.
Thank you for sharing those encouraging words. At sometime someone would to hear them.
Thank you for sharing this today. It brightened my day.
At work I try to encourage my staff by thanking them everyday for their efforts and making sure they are properly credited for what they accomplish. Even when I have to critique their performance I keep my attitude positive and focus on how we can work together to help them improve.
At home I always thank my husband for things like making supper or doing the dishes after. I let him know how helpful it is when he shares the chores. When I have a bad day and need to vent I thank him for listening. I make sure to do the same for him.
Doing my daily devotions and checked my email. There you were with this beautiful poem. Thanks for sharing – I sent it along to a young lady in my church that is really hurting and going through terrible depression. She is the sweetest person I know and she’s got it very tough right now. Please remember her in your prayers if you think of it. Blessings and thanks – N
Thank you Phyllis. What a beautiful peom! Perfect timing, Right Now.
Hugs,
Marilyn
Beautiful words of encouragement. Thank you for sharing.