For those of us who grew up in the generation with Popeye we remember-

"I'm Popeye the sailor man, I'm Popeye the sailor man,

I'm strong to the finish because I eats me spinach,

I'm Popeye the sailor man!"

Want to know what your spinach is? Want to know what will help you to finish strong? Check out these two quotes:

When researchers look at what distinguishes happy people from less happy there is one factor that consistently separates the groups. The happy people are consistently in the presence of rich, deep, life-changing, meaningful relationships." The Journal of Happiness Studies

"Adherence to the idea of 'first who' might be the closest link between a great company and a great life. For no matter what we achieve, if we don't spend the vast majority of our time with people we love and respect, we cannot possibly have a great life." Good to Great

It's no suprise we don't get our strength from money, fame, position, or power. We get our strength from other people! It's about replenishing others so we can be replenished (from the wisest man whoever lived).

Know what another person needs to be replenished? The same thing you do; an encouraging word that builds relationships! It's a manager asking an employee "How are you doing?" It's one family member validating the other one by telling them they believe in them and know they will pull through. Whether it's a corporate culture or a family, how often do we encourage and catch others in doing good versus finger pointing and making disparaging remarks?

And lastly, in another study from the Gottman Institute it is reported that each of us receive 6 discouraging words a day for every one encouraging word. Decide this week to change that. Today, eat your spinach by encouraging someone else! Encouragement is a belief that the other person is important, genuinely significant, deserving your undivided attention if only for a few seconds. See if you don't become stronger and be replenished as a result of encouraging others and watch  others grow before your eyes!

Check out this short video clip on what happens when the right words are spoken (read by others).

Hope you're doing well... and hey, thanks for reading my blogs! I appreciate it.

rb