Encouragement

How many times have we talked to someone we thought might be a little down? We thought about giving words of encouragement but didn't. Every day it seems I am in contact with people who need a word of encouragement. That person is sometimes me. With nine classes and four midterms coming up this week, homework like you wouldn't believe, I am swamped. The thing is I usually handle it quite well. I work through the stress, push onward and get pretty good grades. I have a teacher in my public speaking class however, who either hates me or is just not interested in a student's best interest. I wrote an outline that I took an enormous amount of time to perfect, practiced my speech, and gave my speech. It was actually much better than I expected because I was sick. I had asked my teacher if I could postpone my speech till the following week when the second half of the class gave their speeches but she wanted me to give it. I had several people tell me it was really good. She gave me a B. There are other people in my class whose speeches were not well prepared for that got better grades. I wanted to cry. I can accept a lower grade when I have not done my best, but when people who are running way over their time limits, forgetting the words and stopping in the middle of their speeches are doing better than I am, it is very discouraging. I really think she doesn't like me. I am not a shy person about standing up for what I believe but how do you approach a teacher who doesn't like you and will probably dislike you more after you talk to her? I am not being over sensitive. I am being realistic. I thought about dropping the class because I want to be graded for my efforts and improvements by someone who is fair with everyone. I won't though, I will stick it out and do my very best and know in my heart I put forth my best effort. I guess the thing that bothers me the most is that I have many classes that are much much more difficult that I am carrying an A in. If I had a B in one of those I wouldn't be so upset because I would know why. Any way, I said all that to say this. It is one of my personal goals in life to try and uplift other's spirits. Sometimes just a compliment from the heart or a small word of encouragement can change someones day or even their outlook. One thing I really enjoy about our English class is that we all critique each other in a way that is helpful and not downgrading. We each give compliments where compliments are due. If you get a compliment from me, it is from the heart. If I don't see anything to compliment, I won't tell you a lie, I just won't comment at all. Usually, it is not a problem because everyone it seems has created some very good essays. Soooooooooo, the next time you see a classmate or someone you meet who looks like they could use a good word, give it. You will make someones day brighter and in turn your own.