My whole life I have heard that it is better to give than to receive.  I agree and I also believe that gifts come in all sizes, shapes, and forms. Some are big and some are small. The things we do for others can be considered a gift at times and so can the words we use.

The words we use? Really? You may be asking yourself how can words be considered as a gift. It really depends on the words we use, how they are used, and who we share them with. The right words have the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of the recipients and could be considered one of the greatest gifts of all.

I will share some words with you as an example. However, before I do I have one small request. That in turn you will promise to share the words with someone else. Particularly someone that is special to you.

The first set of words I will share with you are “I Believe In You!”

Do you remember when you were younger and you first tried to ride a bike.  What about your first spelling test or learning to read.  The first time you played on a sports team.  Getting behind the wheel of a car for the first time.  That first job interview.

Throughout our lives we have been faced with a lot of challenges and we are sure to be faced with many more.  We all get nervous at times and need to know others believe in us. My hope is that each time you have been faced with a pretty big challenge you have had someone there to support and encourage you and tell you “I Believe In You!”

In the next two weeks I want you to be on the lookout for the opportunity for you to tell others that you believe in them.  When you find someone you know faced with a challenge or appear nervous about some task take the time to encourage them.  It could be as simple as telling them “no sweat, you have this.” Or if they are really scared you may need to stop them from what they are doing, put your hand on their shoulder, look them in the eye, and with confidence in your voice tell them “You can do this! I Believe In You!”

The next set of words I will share with you are “I Am Proud Of You!”

Remember going home and telling your mom and dad you got a really good grade on a test or your report card.  Accomplished some very challenging task you were nervous about.  Did well in a sporting event.  Passed your driver’s test. Received that first job.

Isn’t it great when someone you respect and care about tells you they are proud of you.  It usually comes after you have done something that was challenging for you or when you have accomplished some sort of task that has made a positive impact on others.

In the next week I want you to find a reason to tell someone you care about that you are proud of them.  I am sure the people you spend time with are doing things that warrant your praise.  Hopefully you are already doing it.  However, if not you need to start and I want you to do so within the week.  When you find out about what they have done go up to them, look them in the eyes, and with pride in your voice tell them “Great job! I Am Proud Of You!”

The final set of words I will share with you today are the most valuable and they are “I Love You!”

Those three words are the one’s every child wants and needs to hear from their parent.  Every parent from their children. Every spouse from their significant other. From our blood siblings and those that we love as we would any true brother and sister. Our immediate and extended family alike. Those that have been like a father or mother figure for us. Those that have just made such a huge impact on our lives, who we are, and that we could not imagine what our lives would be like without them in it.

There should not be a single day that goes by where we don’t have a conversation with someone special enough in our lives to deserve us telling them that we love them. Whether it be in person, over the phone, through email, a text message, or a hand written note. We all should have someone in our lives that we interact with and care enough about that deserve to hear us tell them, “I Love You!”

Today I want you to think of someone that you care about and let them know. You could go into detail and let them know how much they mean to you if you want. Or just simply look them in the eye and with sincerity in your voice tell them “I Love You!” However you choose to do it you must be authentic and mean it though. These words are not ones to be taken lightly and come with a lot attached to them. But if we truly care about someone in our lives these words are too important to go unsaid. We all deserve to hear the words “I Love You” from those that care about us and must share them with those we care about.

I have shared with you three different sets of words. Each of them have their own meaning and to some people they may be just words. To most they are much more than words though. They are considered to be very valuable gifts to both the person sharing them and the one receiving them. If you sincerely share them with those you care about on a regular basis you will have a huge impact on them and the relationships you have will be stronger for it.

“Three meaningful statements children want and need to hear from their parents. I believe in you, I am proud of you, and I love you.”