Take Heart and be an Encourager by Andrea Corrie

“The human heart is so delicate and sensitive that it always needs some tangible encouragement to prevent it from faltering in its labour. The human heart is so robust, so tough, that once encouraged it beats its rhythm with a loud unswerving insistency.” Maya Angelou 

The late Maya Angelou’s wise words offer a rich starting point for reflection. My focus today is on the theme of encouragement — something we all need, in our work, our family life, and, of course, in our creative efforts. I am convinced that encouragement engenders far better results than criticism, perhaps especially in writing. None of us enjoys being told that we are not very good at something. Most of us are already our own harshest critics, and we would do well to be far more bullish when it comes to self-worth — again, particularly in creative work. 

The word encouragement itself is revealing. It comes from Old French, dating back to the mid-fourteenth century, and can be traced to the verb encoragier, meaning “to make strong” or “to hearten.” At its root lies corage — courage, or heart. To encourage, then, is quite literally to give heart. That feels like the nub of everything. While, in purely physical terms, the heart is a pump ensuring our blood does what it should, it is also a powerful symbol of affection and connection. The heart signifies love — for ourselves and for others. 

The human heart is indeed a miraculous organ: fragile and vulnerable, yet strong and durable, beating its steady rhythm that punctuates every moment of our lives. Its capacity to carry on, even in the face of trauma, inspires our own resilience. As I have shared before in my grief writing, a broken heart still beats. 

On Valentine’s Day, people around the world exchange tokens of affection with those they love. While these gestures often centre on romantic love, they also encompass friendship, family bonds, and simple acts of kindness. From handwritten notes to thoughtful gifts, the day reminds us of the power of encouragement to foster connection and spread warmth. 

St Valentine himself is remembered as a figure of quiet courage and encouragement. According to tradition, he was a third-century Christian priest who continued to marry couples in secret when such unions were forbidden. His faithfulness to love and commitment ultimately led to his imprisonment and martyrdom. It is perhaps fitting, then, that Valentine’s Day should be associated not only with affection, but with encouragement — the strengthening of the heart in the face of fear. 

Even if you choose not to embrace the commercialism of the occasion, taking the time to let someone know how much they mean to you is a deeply encouraging act — one that comes straight from the heart. Like the heart muscle itself, our capacity for encouragement is not easily exhausted. When we encourage others, we offer them a piece of our heart: a gesture of kindness and affirmation that can lift their spirits and strengthen their resolve. 

Encouragement is reciprocal and cumulative. It not only bolsters those who receive it, but also fortifies our own spirit, creating a gentle ripple effect of confidence and self-belief. If you find yourself longing for encouragement, one of the surest ways to experience it is to offer it freely to others. This gift — given in and from the heart — is precious, and always worth sharing. After all, love lies at the heart of everything good.