Every one in a while, something happens that makes you step back, take a look at what you’re doing and analyze your actions. Such an event took place for me a few weeks ago.
For over fifteen years, I have had at least some form of a presence as a web page. When the company I worked for gave me the opportunity to try this new world-wide web, I jumped at the chance. I wanted to post my cartoons to the world. I had some success as a magazine cartoonist.
Cartoon of a happy teacher and student. The teacher says, “This is a great story. You should copyright it.”
It breaks my heart when I hear about an author who almost didn’t take up his craft because an English teacher once told her that she was a terrible writer. But it is inspiring to hear of those who heard that discouragement, yet overcame it and are authors today.
It is a shame when discouragement comes out of our mouths. I am as guilty as anyone else of spewing criticism to others. Unfortunately, it is too easy to do that in this world.
But a complement goes a long way. My fourth grade teacher encouraged me to consider drawing when complemented my part in a poster. I didn’t think of myself as an artist until that moment.
Be sure to give a sincere complement to a child when you have a chance. You never know how it will change his life.
