Encouragement

Perspective has always been a problem for me (Mr Couch). I tend to focus too sharply on things of little importance, often to my detriment. I'll sit here agonising over one little detail on this blog, and obsess endlessly until I get it right (in other words, until I win. Mr Couch=typical male).

Then, Mrs Couch will come over and tell me that it's alright, that the blog looks fine, and that I don't need to furrow my brow until thirty parallel lines appear on my forehead, just because the border is 3px when maybe 2px is fine? Of course, I'll go right back to taking care of that 1px. I'm stubborn like that.

But she has the ability to perk me right up. She gives me validation and assurance that things are fine, and though my pixel obsession might remain, it will be less of a burden than it was. Perhaps that is the most pressing form of encouragement - lightening someone else's load now and then.

And though Mrs Couch is the most amazing wife I could imagine, we all have the ability to encourage others and inspire. Just smiling at your barista in the morning, and giving a generous tip, can put that person's day on a whole other trajectory. Little things. You know.

We're starting our first event soon, the Back to School thingy. And it's going to be huge. I hope, (along with building up our little infant blog) that it serves to encourage everyone who participates, because there's nothing more gratifying than sending out that "you've won!" e-mail. It's good to encourage someone else.

Who can you encourage right now?