why we need to stop commenting and start encouraging

Super cute! Love this! Looks awesome!

These are some comments that I have recently received or left for others. If you're someone who makes and shares things that are hopefully super cute, lovable, and awesome, these are great things to hear. Seriously, I appreciate every single one.

But I've been thinking about comments for a few weeks now.

Actually it started when I read some negative comments about something that I supported. The discussion wasn't about me personally, but it felt personal. And the truth is, I've done the same thing. But I started thinking about it more.

I started thinking about how these negative thoughts have a real impact. Yes, we should be allowed to express our opinions, and yes, saying that we don't like something can bring change. But these things also can bring hurt. And some words came to mind.

Encourage one another & build each other up.

What if we used our words, our comments, our replies, our interactions...and we encouraged. When we love something. When we disagree with something. When we are proud of someone. When we don't particularly care for someone.

What if instead of leaving a comment that says "Cute! (Smiley face)" we paused to think about how we could say something that builds a person up in a real way?

What if we considered that small businesses are run by individuals with feelings and we didn't talk about them behind their backs, as if they won't see, knowing full well that they very likely will see? (I'm so guilty of this!)

What if we just reminded ourselves that all these little snip-its of conversation can add up to bigger things? Good or bad!

I'm convinced that I need to comment less, and encourage more. I need to take time to say something real (and mean it!). Do I love quick notes and "likes"? Yes. Will I continue to leave notes while I "heart" what folks share? Also yes.

But I will also make a true effort to share more things from my heart. Join me?

Crafty notes: The purple print fabric in the photos is from JoAnn, and will be used in an upcoming blanket project. The triangles will also become something quilty, and not the heart shown. The arrangement of triangles to form the heart was inspired by Must Love Quilts.