My work has this tragic little system of encouragement where, one may write on a standardized card to one of their co-workers something good about them. There are cards about getting involved with customers, some about being knowledgeable, and some about having heart. I write death threats on them. I think that standardized encouragement takes all the sincerity out of it, and therefore makes it useless, so I insist on abusing that system. It’s unfortunate, but typically can make a sleepy or grumpy employee smile a little, so I think that it’s more than worth it!

I got something incredibly cool not too long ago, a real NOTE! It’s long, and funny, and seems like it took some effort to piece together, and from a distance it says, “HI JAKE!” I have to admit that I’m pretty happy with this little piece of art….

But it brings me to this: I think that encouraging people is perhaps one of the most important functions of our lives. We really need to keep an eye out for each other, and let others know when we see something that we appreciate about them. I know I’m content with a little slap in the rear followed by “Good game” after I rocked at something, and it’s even better to hear a drawn out explanation about how awesome, good-looking and amazing I am, too! I know that I’m not sounding serious, but I really do mean this.

Encouragement has gotten me through some of the hardest times of my life. Knowing that I can accomplish something because God put me together to do it is one thing, but having someone you know, love and respect (that last one is important) tell you about it, is pretty much one of the coolest things ever. So, I’m going to sound all happy and crap and tell you all to go out and do what you can to make someone’s day. It doesn’t cost you anything, just offer a few words, and make sure that you aim for the outside of the cheek, because otherwise, it’ll be awkward when you slap someone’s butt.