For part of high school, I was a cheerleader. During that season of life, cheerleading looked like practicing cheers and stunts daily after school and during the summer, suiting up to cheer at games a few times a week, tumbling classes, and team competitions. 

I haven’t cheered like that for decades, but we all have opportunities to be cheerleaders all the time. 

It doesn’t require a uniform, a back handspring, or a love of sports. 

However, it might include dedicating time to be there on the sidelines cheering on someone you love. 

It might look like leading and/or collaborating with a team to get an important project off the ground in a way that values everyone’s contributions. 

It might look like uniting our voices with others’ to share a message that is positive and uplifting in a world where many are critical and condescending. 

It might look like noticing the way someone has grown, and reflecting that progress back to them. 

It might look like turning on music for an after-dinner dance party while everyone cleans up the dishes.  (Ralphie at SimplyonPurpose.org is the queen of this!) 

It might look like the little notes my parents used to leave me, encouraging me and expressing love. I still remember the note they left on my white board before a dance performance they were unable to attend, and the sticky note and lunch money left on the kitchen counter for me one morning after I had been up most of the night laboring over an AP English essay.

It might look like the simple text message I received from one of my neighbors, who noticed my teenage daughter’s name listed as a speaker in our church congregation when the digital program was sent out the night before. My friend said she was so sad she would miss the service the next day, and sent a positive message for my daughter in advance. It only took a few minutes of texting back and forth for my friend, but it sent a huge wave of unexpected love and encouragement over my daughter and, by extension, me. 

There are as many ways to lead with cheer as there are people to cheer and be cheered. 

I’ve come up with a few ideas of ways I would like to cheer others on:

• Leave a cheerful note for someone. 
• Attend a performance or sporting event at a local school and cheer on the participants. 
• Ask for support for yourself in an area where you are stretching right now. 
• Compliment a parent/professional on a trait you see them exemplifying in their family/organization. 
• Encourage a college student as they approach final exams (send a positive text message, a funny reel, a care package,  money for a good meal, etc). 
• Tell a manager when you receive great customer service. 
• Commend instead of critique: “I love to watch you___.” 
• Give fresh flowers to someone just because. 
• Think about something hard you have overcome. Offer support to someone else struggling with that challenge now.

How will you do it?

“KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!” 
Dr. Seuss
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!