| My 12 year old son and 2 of his friends competed | | | | played. The encouragement and tips helped them |
| as a team in one of their first paintball | | | | play a better game. |
| tournaments this weekend. They were | | | | - Instead of feeling defeated after a loss, they |
| considerably younger and inexperienced than any | | | | discussed what worked and what needed |
| of the other teams. However, several people | | | | improving. It would have been easy to feel |
| participating in the tournament did some amazing | | | | winning was hopeless and give up. The |
| things to encourage this young team. | | | | encouragement and tips provided by others kept |
| - A paintball gun one of the boys was using | | | | them motivated. |
| stopped working properly during the tournament. | | | | - They won their final game! |
| A participant loaned his guns so all 3 boys could | | | | - They are looking forward to participating in |
| continue to compete as a team in the | | | | future paintball tournaments. |
| tournament. | | | | Are you encouraging others? You don't have to |
| - Several of the referees and competitors from | | | | be a paintball expert to encourage someone. You |
| the other teams said words of encouragement to | | | | can encourage anyone, anywhere. Think about a |
| the boys throughout the day. | | | | person you know that could use some support or |
| - As participants watched the team play each | | | | motivation. Think about the best way you can do |
| game, they would tell them tips on how they | | | | it. It might be providing a listening ear, some |
| could improve. | | | | encouraging words, a handwritten note, or some |
| The result of this encouragement had several | | | | help regarding a need he or she might have. |
| positive outcomes. | | | | Whatever it is, don't put off doing it. Make a |
| - The boys improved with each game they | | | | difference in someone's life today. |