Word of Encouragement

In a message that I heard over forty-two years ago, a pastor shared a story from Native American folklore about the existence of good and evil in this world.

The story likened the existence of good and evil as being analogous to the existence of two dogs who are constantly fighting with each other. When the tribal leader was asked: “Which dog wins the fight?” He responded: “Whichever one we choose to feed the most.”

With these words of encouragement, we want to feed the good dog!

As I have mentioned in previous notes, I was fortunate and thankful to grow up in a home where “feeding the good dog” was encouraged. And with all the things that are going on in the world today, the good dog is hungry!

Truth be told, there is more than enough food for the bad dog. For example, here in Chicago, we are confronted with the reality that in 2021 – and this is just through August, there have been 532 people that have been shot and killed and an additional 2575 people have been shot and wounded. And the media rarely misses a chance to highlight videos that portray people acting at their worst. It’s as if some folks want the bad dog to rob us of having hope in a brighter future.

Fortunately though, there is the other side of the table where the good dog chooses to eat. And with these words of encouragement, we are honored to be a waiter at this table and serve up words and stories that affirm that we’d much rather live in a hopeful versus hopeless world.

That is why I appreciated it when an associate sent me two videos that highlighted what can happen when we can slow down a bit, and open our eyes and witness the good things happening in this world on a daily basis. In this neat little video, the famous actor Keanu Reeves went unnoticed as he gave up his seat on a NYC subway car. No one was even paying attention to him and he didn’t do it for the accolades. He did something we all can do on a daily basis – be kind to each other.

It isn’t just people giving up their seats though, it’s also getting up out of your seat when you see an opportunity to help others. In this video, I was uplifted as I watched how professional surfer Mikey Wright sprung into action to save a woman’s life as she was struggling in the water.

So after watching Keanu give up his seat, and Mikey get out of his seat, I loved watching this video of Alonzo “Zo” Carter show off his “Hammer Dance” skills in bringing joy and happiness to others.

Alonzo “Zo” Carter has served as an assistant football coach for the San Jose State Spartans in California and has trained and mentored countless student athletes. But back in 1989, on a whim, he auditioned to be a backup dancer for the legendary hip-hop artist MC Hammer.

He was hired on the spot, went on tour with him and ultimately joined MC Hammer as a permanent backup dancer before returning to finish college. When the head coach Brent Brennan found out about Zo’s hip-hop past, he got him to show off his moves to the team. As Zo laughed, he noted “Next thing you know, it’s Hammer Time and ‘U Can’t Touch This.'”

It’s obvious Zo still has “the magic.” It’s also obvious that the team experienced some joy and happiness as Zo did the iconic Hammer Dance he helped to create. “We choreographed that routine over 25 years ago, and it’s still strong.”

But the article also highlighted the fact that if Zo hadn’t gone to that audition, the “Hammer Dance” might not even exist. Thankfully, we can “feed the good dog,” and either give up our seat, get out of our seat or dance to our own versions of “Can’t Touch This,” and bring some hope and encouragement to others.

And for those who choose to feed the good dog, be encouraged with these words from Isaiah, “that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”