Cheer

synonyms:

encourage, urge on, spur on, drive on, motivate, inspire, fire (up), inspirit, light a fire under “my friends were there to cheer me on”

I was at my son’s baseball game the other night. It was awful. About 40 degrees with wind and rain. I couldn’t feel my feet by the end of the third inning.

But it was also great, because this is what happens at every little league baseball game:

Every time a kid came to bat, we cheered. If he got a hit, we cheered. If he walked, we cheered. If he struck out, we cheered louder. We even cheered for the other team.

So I started thinking. When is the last time anyone cheered for us?

We all get an occasional pat on the back and a quiet “good Job.” But when was the last time someone really clapped for you and whistled and yelled – I mean really yelled – your name –  and hollered “WAY TO GO!!!!!”

I bet it’s been a long time.

It’s been so long, that when our birthday rolls around, we get all embarrassed when a handful of people sing happy birthday to us.

Like we shouldn’t care. Like we shouldn’t want to be acknowledged. Like we should just say ” Oh, no! Please don’t tell me that you all like me and are happy I’m here. Let’s pretend that today is just a Tuesday.”

Have you ever seen a 5 year old at their birthday party? They CAN’T WAIT to have people sing to them. (Well. they really can’t wait for the presents but that’s a whole different blog post!) They LOVE being the center of attention because IT’S THEIR BIRTHDAY!!!

They will go up to strangers, pull on their arm, and say ” It’s MY BIRTHDAY today!” Because they know, intuitively, how great and special they are. And we love them for that naked honesty.

And then, we grow up.

And somehow, we start to get embarrassed for having enthusiasm. For getting excited. For standing out. Maybe we just get scared of rejection. Of being disappointed. Of people disapproving. Of seeming “not cool.”

Case in point: We had just moved to Dilworth and my daughter was starting Kindergarten. We had lived here for a whole 3 days and she didn’t know anyone. So, the first day of school – probably the first hour – Annie was standing in a line and the little girl in front of her turned around and said, “Do you want to be my friend?”

How’s that for brave? Would you have to courage to do that? I wouldn’t. But I bet we would have when we were 5. ( By the way, Grace and Annie are starting high school…and still best friends.)

Our knees really shouldn’t turn to jelly when people want to tell us how great we are. We shouldn’t shake our head to disagree when friends tell us we look good and they are glad we’re with them.

Let’s think more like 5 year olds and less like “grownups.” They have WAY more fun than we do, and part of the reason, I think, is that they are proudand happy with who they are. They’re not embarrassed to stand up and say, “Today is my birthday!” And everyone claps for them.

So, Lets cheer for each other more. We really are pretty great after all, and I think we deserve a big round of applause just for being us!

And I’m sorry I missed your birthday. Let me know next time and I’ll promise to sing for you!

Thanks for reading so far. I really appreciate it. If you know anyone who might like these blog posts, just send me a note – Green link – and I will be delighted to add them to the list. Or you can give a call. 701-365-0401

Have a great rest of the week! And a great Memorial Day.

Dr. Dave