Cheers are funny things. Some folks are rabid about them – obsess about how many they’ve given or received, go to interesting lengths to acquire them, and have personal rules about how they’re doled out. Other people do their own thing – Don’t care, don’t cheer. Or scatter them out randomly to whatever strikes their fancy. Some save them up for massive cheer bombings and cheer wars, which are lovely too. And then there’s that business with the dratted cheer goblin (more common than the elusive cheer fairy) scarfing them down before you can bestow them upon a worthy cause. And there are supercheers too. They’re extra loud, and linger for a while.
I have my own pattern. I like to cheer back, to respond – but to things I’d cheer anyway, not just “stop picking my nose” (though it’s a decent goal). I like to cheer new people on the site, welcome them, as well as familiar faces and subs. I like to cheer on goals I’ve accomplished and ones I want to try. I cheer goals that make me laugh, entries that make me think, comments I wish I had time and the words to respond to. Or just surf… leave one here and there in my wake.
Cheers can be supportive, understanding, sympathetic, voice a laugh, represent a thank-you, point out a kindred spirit nodding or let you know someone else is out there and heard you. They can say “I really appreciate what you said and damn I can’t sit down and respond properly, but thanks a lot” or “that’s awful – I’m really sorry” or “keep trying”. Such little things. Such big things. Some of the quietest cheers go a long way on dark days.
My 30,000 cheer went to a comment tahti made on a “quit smoking” entry of mine upon reaching the one year mark. It was the first goal I checked off (one I’m still terribly proud of). Her comment was short & sweet, and I somehow missed it back then.
A grand standing ovation to 43Things and everyone here as we aim for all our goals, great and small (cheering each other on along the way).
