Encouragement: Pick a Card; Any Card!

Nope, this isn't a magic trick. It's a way to encourage!

Romans 12:6a & 8 "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us...if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;"

I have made several encouragement decks for others over the years. They are a bunch of cards meant to provide a quick "look" at something inspiring and motivating. The deck can be as simple or as detailed as you have time to create. I often use index cards but have also simply cut out small sheets of paper or card stock. I have even used the slips of paper that come inside small photo albums. Another idea would be to use an old deck of playing cards or cards from a board game that is no longer used and just paste your images over them.

Some examples of decks to make for yourself or someone special:

1. your favorite scriptures or inspiring quotes - the ones that really get you going and happy for the day
2. pictures of people who inspire you (examples: the woman who works at the local shelter, athlete that has overcome great odds, an activist for a cause you have a passion for...)
3. pictures of your friends and write some of their "words of wisdom" under their photo
4. artistic photos of landscape, paintings, or sculptures that tend to set your spirit free!
5. simple words; I call these Power Words (examples: freedom, winner, enthusiastic, peace)
6. pictures of yourself doing adventurous activities like hot air ballooning, sky diving, zip lining, climbing the top of a mountain, finishing a 5k)
7. photos of destinations you have a desire to visit
8. healthy deck with images of good food, water, exercise, stretching and quotes about good health etc...
9. create a deck with each card having a different song lyric that inspires you
10. "the reason" deck: fill the cards with pictures to remind you why you do what you do (examples, your kids, your parents, the homeless person on the corner by your job, the kids in Mexico you support...)

Making a deck of inspiration or motivation cards is a simple and easy way to keep you or someone special focused and uplifted. You can make one for home, car or one for work. This is also a good gift for a friend that might be going through a hard time or a senior that is a bit lonely and could use some encouragement. Since I had never made one for myself, I decided to create a deck over the weekend to place in my car.

I took idea #6 and on the flip side of each card I wrote an inspiring quote about living life to the full! I'm going to read a new one each week before I leave my driveway.