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A Kind Word - The Value of Encouragement - M. Darusha Wehm
"Even a cat appreciates kind words." - Russian proverb Recently I had the singular pleasure of receiving a note from someone I'd briefly conversed with years ago in another internet life. The note began "Are you the Darusha Wehm who..." This always makes me smile, as if there are a zillion Darusha Wehms out there (there aren't), though I understand that people want to make sure they have the right person for these things. Anyhow, the note was to thank me for some kind words I'd sent to this person, probably five years ago. At that time, I'd read something this person wrote, loved it, and said so. That was all. That simple act of telling someone that I liked their work was enough to resonate in their mind all this time and encourage them to continue. I often forget about the totally disproportionate effect that encouragement can have, especially to creative endeavours. It can be a lonely existence, making new things.
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