Words to SPARK your Heart-Song from our co-founder Sherry Douglas.

#uplifting #positive #encouraging #motivational

Hi everyone. I’m Sherry Douglas with Heart-Song. Within a short time from now, you will forget most of what I say in this video. I understand that it’s not personal; it’s just the way our brains are wired. One week after listening to a 10-minute talk, and this video is only about 2 ½ minutes, you and I only remember 10-20% of what we’ve heard. However, if we have a personal experience, we’ll remember approximately 80% of it. In that situation, we’ve used all of our senses and have feelings attached. 

Maya Angelou says, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”If we’re treated with kindness, we walk away from conversations and experiences feeling we were heard and valued. Those affirming feelings are like building blocks, helping us to believe in ourselves. The experience also spurs us on to treat others in the same manner – with kindness. We’ve also all walked away from conversations and experiences feeling like we don’t measure up, anywhere from feeling a little embarrassed to worthless. Some people may say that they can’t MAKE us feel any particular way, but when we are treated in an unkind manner, we have a hard time forgetting how it makes us feel. 

Sometimes it’s hard to choose to forget, but we can choose to forgive. Last week we looked at the beginning part of Ephesians 4:32 that says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another…” That is such a statement jam-packed with hope. Looking at the last part of the same verse, adds even more hope. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as in Christ, God forgave you.” When we are treated in an unkind way, we may never forget how someone made us feel, but we can choose to forgive that person. Afterall, Jesus is our prime example – and He chooses to forgive us over and over. With His love and strength, it is possible for us to do the same. Forgiveness…let it start with you and me. This is the word of the Lord. 

Thanks for listening. See you next week.