I’ve known all three!
And as much as a good joke can lighten the day, I’m inclined to think a good stroke of encouragement is much better. Some might even call it a stroke of luck.
This past week a relative quit her teaching job. She is conscientious, and was told so, AFTER she quit. She was an excellent teacher and was told so, AFTER she quit.
Would words of encouragement have helped? Perhaps. There is always that intangible sense of not being in the right place. You can’t make someone "not quit" just by words of encouragement — but you can sure go a long way.
I’m not always good at encouraging others.
I’ll take that as a word of encouragement to get encouraging others.
And might I also encourage you — get out there and encourage, encourage, encourage!