We Need More Cowbell 
5-12-22 
(2 minutes, 7 seconds)

Last summer I attended a triathlon in support of a close friend who was competing. I loaded my mini-backpack with water bottles, power bars, and …my biggest cowbell. For me, cheering at a race would be incomplete work unless accompanied by cowbells. Smiling and clapping are entry-level support. Adding loud cheers and shouts of timely encouragement is the next level. Cowbells in addition to the above things complete the role of active sports supporter and enthusiast. 

My fast and talented friend sprinted out of the water in her wetsuit and rushed to her bike. She transitioned and flew from the bike corral so fast I only saw the back of her steaming away on her bicycle. I nearly missed her because of how crazy fast she was as she biked back into the transition. But, I was determined to catch her on the run and cheer heartily for her at the toughest point in the race.
Slinging my red mini-pack over my right shoulder, I briskly hustled to my car, driving to about a mile from the finish line. I settled myself on a grassy patch just across the street from where the triathletes were running on an out and back course.
Unzipping my backpack, I pulled out my cowbell, the biggest and loudest cheering bell I own, and set it beside me. Positioning myself toward oncoming runners, I watched and waited for my girlfriend.

It was a beautiful late summer morning. Looking across the road I saw athlete after athlete running, shuffling, or walking out to complete their 6.2-mile runs. Their race numbers were written on their upper arms and legs in thick black permanent marker. 
I couldn’t help myself. As runners sailed or strolled by, I started clapping. “You’ve got this!” I yelled. “Lookin’ strong!” I called out heartily, meaning it.
I was the only spectator within site on the route that morning. “Why not?” I thought and picked up my cowbell by its red handle. 
Modestly ding-dangling the bell, I continued calling out supportive and enthusiastic words of encouragement. I became unhindered and increasingly enthusiastic in my cheering for the athletes. The cowbell rang with unceasing gusto.

Athletes smiled at me, runners picked up their pace, and tired athletes pressed on. One gal pointed her finger at me, “Thank YOU for coming out to cheer!” she breathed as she burned by.

I got so caught up in my cheering that I forgot that the race was on a public sidewalk on a weekend morning. There were several people out for their normal morning walks and runs. I missed the fact that their calves weren’t marked with black. I cheered them on anyway. 
We all need more cowbell.

Encouragement is multi-faceted. Pulling out a cowbell during a Sunday morning church service would be (ahem) rather disruptive. However, the warmth offered by an authentic smile or asking genuinely, “How has your week been?” including exercising patience to hear the person’s response may ring louder than any cowbell in someone’s heart. 

Encouragement might look like this:
-an affirming text, a written note, a word of kindness, a phone call
-a warm meal, a hot cup of coffee, or freshly baked scones offered with joy
-weeding a neighbor’s garden or babysitting their munchkins
-hugging, hand-holding, shoulder-rubbing
-a walk, brunch at a cafe, or drive to the North Shore with a friend.

My friendly challenge to you is to choose three of the above, or make up your own act of encouragement, and intentionally love on someone or a few someones this week. We all long to be seen, known, and welcomed. Whether you’ve known an individual for three weeks, three years, or 30 years, I can promise you… a little more cowbell would bless everyone.