Wrangler Dani

I’m not a very good cheerleader. First of all, I’m the least flexible person I know, I can’t jump and I would more than likely get hit in the head with a football, because that’s the kind of thing that happens to klutzes.

But more than the physical limitations is the spiritual ones. I’m so selfishly wrapped up in my own junk that I can’t raise my head long enough to actually root for somebody else. I get so wired on my successes and failures and nonsense that, more often than I care to admit, I’m a terrible listener and even worse at giving a hearty rah-rah for my friends and colleagues.

In contrast, when I attended Blog Sugar, I saw women who should all be competing for the spotlight giving each other credit. We’re not ashamed to admit that we are fans and avid readers of other blogs, and tickled pink when someone is a fan of our own or a friend’s. In this strange little virtual world, sharing actually equals success, and so it’s made even the most Scrooge-like among us (stare at shoes, guiltily raise hand) better, more open people.

I’m taking baby steps toward a generous, cheerleader heart. I’m rooting for a friend who’s taking a courageous step across the country to pursue her dream. I’m squeee-ing with delight as more and more friends get pregnant and have babies, rather than sighing about the shrinking of our flexible, late night hang-outs. I’m giving hope and feedback, strength and courage, advice and hugs and squeeeees and love to those I love. My withholding of praise or cheers for the people in my life hurts our relationship and it hurts me. Am I so afraid that if I compliment their success my own standing will diminish? How trivial and sad is life, if everything is a competition?

So I’m taking a step, releasing myself from performance-based love and just cheering for the right and the beautiful. Spurring one another on, if you will. 😉

Hebrews 10:23-25 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”