A Professor’s Encouragement

A Professor’s Encouragement

Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Proverbs 16:24

My heart pounded in my chest, its thumps in time with my quiet knocks on the door of my journalism professor’s office. A gruff man who was roughly the age of my parents, he called out in a deep voice inviting me inside. As I sat down in one of the chairs, scanning the diplomas on the walls, one from the University of North Dakota caught my eye. We chatted briefly about how he and my father had both attended the school, and I found myself relaxing.

As we moved on to other topics and began to talk about the class of his that I was currently enrolled in, he spoke words that would have a profound effect on me for years to come: “Your copyediting test was excellent. Really good. In fact, I think you should try out for the student newspaper. Have you thought about doing that at all?”

To be honest, I hadn’t. As an English major, I thought a minor in mass communications would be a practical way to boost my résumé. I knew I loved reading and writing, but I didn’t have firm plans for a career path. Yet his simple words of praise and encouragement—kind words that were sweet to my soul—were just the impetus I needed to pursue a new path. Within a few days, I was working for the college newspaper. After graduation, I worked for several years at our local daily newspaper, a time in my life that I treasure.

One man’s single comment had a profound impact on me, an impact that influenced many years of my life. I will always be grateful for his kind words and how he went out of his way to encourage me to pursue a path I hadn’t considered.

—Kristin

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Speak a word of encouragement into the life of someone around you. Do you see a talent or gift in them that they have not recognized in themselves? Tell them what you see.