The Art of Encouragement

Chapter 7The Art of Illuminating Encouragement

“Who wants to try out for student council? Raise your hand if you want to try out!”

Mrs. Allen, my sixth-grade teacher, posed her question to the class.

She was explaining the whole process. You give a speech, you take a stand on a topic, and then you vote. Simple enough. She recommended we all try it—she said that it would be a great step toward developing yourself, being a leader.

Being a leader sounded awesome to me. How often are we given the chance to wield any sort of power as a twelve-year-old? The more Mrs. Allen talked—positive, bubbly enthusiasm just pouring out of her—the more I started to get excited. Her energy was infectious. It didn't matter that up until about 30 seconds ago, I didn't even know student council existed. I was in.

There was only one problem.

My friends.

I had a few friends who were right behind me, sitting in their desks. Typical sixth-grade boys, just like me. I turned around and glanced at them to see if they were thinking what I was thinking. They definitely weren't. There was only about a foot between us, but I could have read their body language from a mile away.

What a waste of time.

I turned back around in my seat, conflicted. It was an epic internal battle between the encouragement from Mrs. Allen, and the discouragement from my friends. Which would win?

I slowly raised my hand.

“Dude,” one of my buddies said. “You don't seriously want to do that?”

I felt the full force of the judgement of ...