Silver Boxes: The Gift of Encouragement

by Florence Littauer

Explains how to recognize and relate to those who need encouragement, and shows how to use kind words to "build them up"

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Self Help, Faith, Christian Living, Christian Non Fiction, Social

Hardcover

First published July 1, 1989

About the author

Florence Littauer is a Christian self-help author and public speaker. Littauer is best known for her series of books based upon the Personality Plus personality system. She was listed as one of Helen K. Hosier's "100 Christian Women Who Changed the Twentieth Century" and has received the National Speakers Association's Council of Peers Award for Excellence and has been designated by them as a Certified Speaking Professional.

--From Wikipedia

Reviews

[Jo-Anne Puggioni]

This book was first introduced to my household when I was a teenager. My father was in Amway at the time, and this was on the recommended reading list.

Although this is written by a Christian author and my father wasn't a Christian, he loved this book. He was a natural encourager. When my father died suddenly in a road accident at age 49, we decided to surround him with silver boxes - symbols of the gift of encouragement.

It was a few years later when I entered into a relationship with God through His Son, that I picked this book up and read it. The author's passion for encouraging others, and the stories she shared of how words of encouragement can impact people's lives inspired me. Littauer's contagious passion made me see just how powerful a few words of encouragement can mean to a person.
The book is based on the scripture Ephesians 4:29:
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
I have just started reading it again, to remind myself how the simple gift of encouragement can be like giving someone a silver box with a pretty bow on top.

http://www.princesswarriorlessons.com...

[Brande]

This book is an excellent reminder that we may never understand the profound impact words and actions have upon individuals. This author provides the opportunity to examine, if the words we utter and the deeds we preform in our daily transactions are "silver boxes" of encouragement to make those around us feel unique, special and empowered!

[Carol]

I can't remember too much about this book except the image of the silver boxes and how good it feels to receive (and give) the gift of encouragement. Inside the front cover, I pasted a copy of the poem, "Don't Quit".

"When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar.
So, stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-
It's when things go wrong that you mustn't quit."

[Debra]

An absolutley wonderful book on the gift of encouraging words and how our words (both negative & positive) effect others for the better or the worse. A must read!!!

[Kristen]

This book was given to me by my best friend at the time. I really loved the way it explained giving and recieving gifts of words in little silver boxes.

[Jason Arant]

A super-formative book for me personally.

[Debra Langston]

Loved this... Read it many times.

[Melissa]

After reading this book I will always remember that my words should be like a gift with a bow on top. I read it a long time ago. I need to read again soon because I think I forgot the lesson.

[Jean Elledge]

Changed my life when I read it in my mid twenties.

[Gwendolyn Coleman]

An all time favorite ...

[Sue]

Inspirational. The way we should live our lives by encouraging others.

[Beez Beasley]

Vignettes of stories showing how "words" can build someone up or tear someone down...oftentimes when we aren't even aware. A book of encouragement. Be all you can be. Florence Littauer speaks before many Christian organizations; encouraging, challenging folks to be the best they can be; help in mending broken dreams.

[Kyla Bayang]

This is a little book I routinely reread. It has so many good points and I need the reminder to give Silver Boxes with my words to those God has chosen to bless me with in my life. Genuinely encouraging someone else always lifts my spirits too.

[Cathy]

want to help others and change the world, read this!

[Kelli P.]

This is a lovely book that reminds us that every word that comes out of our mouth is a gift and we should wrap it in silver boxes for the receiver. (say nice things to each other)

[Lynda]

This is a wonderful book if you're interested in being reminded to always speak kindly and the effects of both positive and negative communication on you, your family and your community.

It is a little bit redundant, however I enjoyed the stories of the people who have taken the message of Silver Boxes and employed it in their own lives.

[Sherri Williams]

I really enjoyed this one. It was rather repetitive but the message is really wonderful.

[Marie]

Florence Littauer communicates the importance of choosing our words wisely in order to be encouragers, givers of silver boxes, treasures that last.

[Gloria]

I loved this little book. It's full of positive ways to give and get affirmations from those around us. It's reminders of how we want to be.

[Beverly Dowdell]

To recognise those who are balcony people in my life was just as important as being reminded to succeed each day to be that person to others who pass through my day.

[Jorgina]

A book of inspiration. Focused on helping others develop the talents within and accepting the help of others even if only by accepting compliments graciously.

[Cynthia Sgrignoli]

It was a good reminder of how to be loving.

[Galileosong]

I bought this book because a friend of mine said it had a huge impact on her life. I probably wouldn't have completed it if it weren't recommended.

Great concept, but painfully repetitive. There were only a few pages written about "silver boxes" by the author. The rest of the book (about 90%) was composed of the author's retelling of things that happened to other people.

As a mother, I often wonder what memories my child will have of what I say that will shape what she does. Sometimes the wrong word or phrase can cut deep enough to discourage or hurt someone. It's amazing what memories we carry. This book is a reminder that the discouraging and encouraging things we say can shape a person for a lifetime.

[Fayth Williams]

Words are powerful. They can heal or harm, build up a person or tear them down. Not a day goes by that I don't say or hear something and immediately think of this book and whether or not I'm giving out silver boxes or taking them away. This book has reminded me of many people in my life who have encouraged me and changed my life for the better. I've also recalled negative words that have hindered my growth and opinion of myself. I think the most difficult thing to understand is how not to let negative words influence how you live your life.
Everyone could benefit from reading this book. I'm going to strive to ask myself "is it edifying?" before I say anything to my family, friends, teachers, students, and anyone else I meet.

[Heidi Morrell]

What a treasure this ! My daughters listened as I read this book aloud . Today we went through the personality profile . Shortly after we started this book , I made silver boxes for each of my daughters . We've also been reminding each other to use our words to build up , rather than tear down .
We read Galatians 5 today in between the strengths and weaknesses parts of the test . I wanted to emphasize that no matter what our weaknesses are now , by growing in the Lord and producing the Fruit of the Spirit , we can change those weak areas of our personalities . I'm still working on that myself . ...

[Linda]

This is an older book. I've kept it on my shelf all these years, meaning that I liked it enough when I first read it that I wanted to re-read it at some point.

I don't know if I've changed, or what, but it didn't "hit me" like I remembered. The general premise is good -- to give out encouraging words to people. However, there are too many anecdotes and very little else.

[Molly Christensen]

This is a great book about the power of words, and the author has a wonderful spirit and is sharing a great message. Unfortunately, it's really just not that well-written. It's mainly a collection of random sharings. But I do love the message!

[Jill Schock]

Just as good the second time around

I read this book in the mid eighties. It is such an inspiring book. I am reafing it agsin to use as the focus point for a Christian women's retreat.

[Tricia]

I should have read “Practicing Affirmation” by Sam Crabtree because I was hoping for a book about how to speak encouragement to those around me. Instead this is a book about how the author gave seminars about encouraging others.

[Sara]

A good feel book - but very repetitive. Was hoping it was going to make me more loving and encouraging but "you can't teach an old....." anyway, You get the point.