At the Oscars this week – all the winners, including Daniel Day-Lewis (pictured) – made speeches thanking the often unheralded people who helped them achieve their success.

The winners could easily have forgotten these people, and most of us would never have known. But they chose to acknowledge them.

They made a choice to give thanks.

It’s easy to be selfish in a culture obsessed with self. We are fed messages from advertising all the time about products which will make us better. How “you’re worth it”.

And it’s a culture which often forgets gratitude. Often unintentionally, we neglect to thank others when things go well. And we are quick to blame others when it all goes wrong.

Like all of us, I’ve had times when life has gone badly, I’ve had a failure or been disappointed. And in many of those moments I’ve wanted to blame God, or someone else than myself – when often it’s been my own fault.

On the other hand, when I’ve had a success I’ve occasionally forgotten to thank others. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own achievement, happiness and glory, I’ve forgotten to acknowledge others part in it.

I’m sure I’m not alone. Because it’s easy to get carried away by emotional highs and lows.

But it’s not right. To thank someone is an act of love. And if we don’t, it’s not only rude, but it wrecks relationships.

To truly love our neighbour, we need to be different.

We must be like the Oscar winners. Choose to always thank those who helped us on our journey. (you can tweet that here)

Isn’t this a better way to live?

This brings me to my own ‘Oscar speech’ of sorts. As many of you know, I launched a book last week, ‘5 Steps to Encouragement’. And this last 11 days has been a week of encouragement, with blog posts on the theme each day. Written by a team of people who have supported me all the way with this book, some right from the very beginning, before it even existed.

More than this, these awesome people have promoted the book on social media and spread the word. They have given me invaluable support and encouragement – and become good friends.

So today, want to publicly thank them all.

As part of my thank you to them I have below listed all the posts from this week of encouragement. The authors weren’t the only people on this team, but all these posts are truly amazing and worth a read.

You can also meet them and get to know them yourself, by joining the Facebook group for the book, which you can find here.

Whilst I’m here, I also want to thank those who’ve signed up to get the book (if you don’t have it yet, you can get it here & join the Facebook group here). I really appreciate your belief in me, and hope the book has blessed you. And please do feedback to me either in the Facebook group, comments, social media or on e-mail at jamespressgang@hotmail.com

And finally, thanks to all of you. For showing up, and continuing to read my blog.

There aren’t enough words or gifts which can adequately express my thanks. I do, however ,want to offer you all a small token of my gratitude.

I’ve attached a free MP3 download with this post. It’s an interview with author and speaker Bryan Allain (right), founder of “Killer Tribes”, who authored “31 Days to Finding Your Blogging Mojo”. Bryan is a wise, funny guy who has so much wisdom to share on writing, creativity and so many other things. I know you’ll love it.

This blog has come so far…partly down to you. And there’s so much more to come.

As someone once said “What is past is prologue”.

So thank you. And I hope you’ll continue to join me on this journey.

Are you ready?

 

Bryan Allain Interview (MP3 download)

 

Week of encouragement posts:

Encourage One Another  – Joan Hall

Does Encouragement Matter – Teresa Shields Parker

The Secret of Encouragement – Anne Peterson

Thoughts on Encouragement (and a free e-book) – Eileen Knowles

Mini-Review of  ‘5 Steps to Encouragement’ – Robbie Leonard

When You Feel Alone – Wendy van Eyck

5 Steps to Encouragement (review) – La McCoy

Words Matter: Encourage Today – Joy Lenton

When Encouragement Saved a Marriage – Chris Morris

Encouragement – 5 Steps to Encouragement (free e-book) – Renee Baude

The World is Waiting on You – Alene Snodgrass

Encouragement – Devan Crable

Cultivating the Habit of Encouragement – Katina Vaselopulos