Eight Days a Week
Every Day Encouragement (Days 44–51)
Day-to-day, our ‘encouragements’ are shared on Instagram over theencouragementmanifesto
The past week or so has been a scattergun approach in terms of subjects, perhaps a reflection of our ‘take each day as it comes’ approach to life; necessary in these uncertain times, but also coincident with our priority having switched to development of our website.
Day 44 suggested checking in with friends and loved ones, an argument for developing ‘distant socialising’; new ways of connecting and communicating. But noting that so much of that communication happens online, Day 45 took a day offline, resting the eyes and the brain.
Illustrated by art from Robert LaDuke, Day 46 took us off in flights of fancy; memories of trips gone by and dreams of future travels. An encouragement to roam through our imaginings.
Day 47 coincided with Shrove Tuesday so the encouragement was to ‘join in’ and by doing so to share the benefits of shared moments.
There is never a time not to be kind … but Day 48 was the perfect time to remind folk that #kindnessmatters
One of the greatest gifts you can bestow upon another. If someone is in need, lend them a helping hand. Do not wait for a thank you. True kindness lies within the act of giving without the expectation of something in return.
Over here in Portugal, the lockdown is necessary, and well-observed. Day 49 coincided with our fortnightly shopping trip … the route back slips past a carpark overlooking the Atlantic coast. Our encouragement for the day, shared with others, was the hour we got to spend watching the waves crashing in.
Day 50 … amazing to reach these milestones. 50 days have raced by. Today’s message was all about ‘self-care’:
Sometimes, perhaps more often than you allow, it is ok to focus your best efforts on YOU
The past week has seen wind and rain aplenty in Portugal; an excuse to hide away inside … and Day 51 was an encouragement to embrace that; curl up, watch that film, read that book, listen to music, play a board game. Relax.
What a week. An ‘8-day week’.
Eight days of encouragement.
Every Day Encouragement is a side project of feastsandfables Encouraging words, written and shared every day for 2021.
