The Voice in Your Ear

Today, I took my mom for physical therapy following her knee replacement. We were in the waiting room when I noticed to a son and his mother making their way into the facility. The mother had obviously had a stroke and was disabled on her left side severely. Her hand and arm hung loose. She slowly shuffled in as her son, probably 19 or 20, helped her into the rehab facility, holding her and whispering in her ear the whole way.

I couldn’t hear what they were saying until they were right in front of me. When I did, I was struck what he was saying:

“You can do it mom, you are doing great!”

“Keep going, keep striving, Mom! Look how far you have come.”

“I know it’s hard, but you remember when you couldn’t even walk?!”

It was apparent that he cared a great deal for his mother, it was also clear that he believed in her. I could tell it made a difference in her belief in her ability as well.

The voice in her ear was kind, strong, encouraging and no doubt contributing greatly to her recovery.

Of course, that kind of encouragement works for recovery. But it’s bigger than that. It works for your marriage, your business, your career, your parenting. If the voice in your ear says “Leave her, it’s too hard” or “You’re not gonna make it as a manager” or “It’s too risky to venture out on your own,” sooner or later you will begin to believe it.

The voice in your ear is an important one for more than recovery. The voice in your ear matters for growth too. What’s being whispered to you? Are you spurred on to action or are you told to run and hide?

Choose carefully those who are whispering to you.