Here’s this week’s installment of Five Minute Friday. You might remember the task is to write for five minutes on a specific prompt word. The initiative was started by Lisa-Jo Baker (http://lisajobaker.com/) who thought why not take five minutes and see what comes out: not a perfect post, not a profound post, just five minutes of focused writing.

This week’s prompt is ENCOURAGEMENT. The timer is set and the clock starts NOW.

We love our spouses, children and close friends.

We support them in all they do, cheering them for their accomplishments.

But what happens when their dreams hit the inevitable pothole or are detoured? What happens when they fail or do less than expected on a test or challenge? What happens when they face a loss, an illness or something else unexpected?

We love them. We support and celebrate with them But do we encourage them? Do we tell them — sincerely — we’re still here. Their dreams are still their dreams. Do we put an arm around their shoulder and tell them next time they will raise that C to a B and even if they don’t, as long as they tried their hardest, put everything they had in into it in your eyes they scored an A or won that trophy? Do we sit by in … STOP

sickness and loss, sometimes not even saying a word, just letting them know we’re there for them in whatever way they need.

Do they know we have their back? Do we push them gently to be the best they can be? Do we help build their confidence and self-esteem?

Do we encourage them?

That five minutes went quickly. Take the time to not only love and support your spouse, children or friends, but also to encourage them!

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Much of a man’s character is revealed by what makes him laugh.