Wednesday, August 20, 2008

A Theology of Mush

I'm not very happy with my own performance just at the moment. Those of you who are never happy with my performance can take a time-out. This really don't concern you.

I am not doing very well at anything. Lots of little things are broken. Lots of people need time. Everything is taking longer because I am not used to the hardware. I am tired. Typos creep in. Jokes may be insensitive. I say things without thinking as usual but they are wrong.

I hear a voice from the encouraging past saying, 'Don't worry. When you only do averagely you do better than most.' It's a voice I trust and so today's lesson is this; encouragement is a way of keeping someone going across time. You don't just cheer them up once - in fact encouragement rarely works instantly - you say something that will live with them for ever.

I needed to post that to be encouraged. I didn't know how the post would end when I started. Thanks for being there.

7 comments:

RHK said...

Do be encouraged, old bean.

You are very good at what you do - and maybe the 'not being happy with your performance' is part of what makes you so good.

Chin up. It's the weather, perhaps?

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I agree with Mr Gnome, if you thought you were brilliant, I'd think you were arrogant...

You're human, St, and that's what makes you worth listening to.

Kathryn said...

One of the most helpful suggestions ever made to me was to earmark somewhere to store the signs of encouragement that are sometimes so badly needed...I'm so glad that I did so...I'm having a "stirring treacle" phase myself, in which it's disconcertingly hard to actually get anything done, still less done well, - so to have some tangible reminders that once upon a time someone found something I did helpful makes a huge difference.
Thank you for prompting me to go and open my box...now I feel better too!

Anonymous said...

Try apologising to anyone you have wronged or hurt, correct your typos . . .then remember tomorrow is another day and just get on with life. You're OK.

Danny said...

I don't know you... but I like your blog, it usually makes me smile or even laugh out loud, so be encouraged :-)

Steve Tilley said...

Thanks Danny.

Mike Peatman said...

Steve

If everything went right, this blog would be boring, and you'd be nauseating. As it is, you're a great friend and the blog's always a good read.