It is amazing the power that just a few words can have. If we can say something to someone and make them smile or just lift them up in some way, isn't that better than tearing them down and making them angry with us? Encouragement is such an incredible thing and it is not even all that difficult.
I know that sarcasm is not meant to be nasty or mean but sometimes it comes across that way. I grew up with sarcasm and so I understand it, but not everyone did and when they hear it are either confused or feel stupid. I have a friend who never was around sarcastic people growing up and is hearing it for the first time in college. He doesn't quite grasp the concept of it and even though I don't think that he is seriously hurt by some of the coments made to him, it is obvious that it does not make him feel good and he walks away with a confused and somewhat put down look on his face. Many people have tried to explain the concept of sarcasm to him and instructed him on how to use it, but he just can't get it. I like to think that he is just too loving and pure of heart and so is not going to ever get it. He doesn't need to fill his mind with negative comments to throw at people and I hope that he knows that. Sarcasm doesn not build people up and that is what we need to be doing.
I don't think that we realize just how much our words affect a person. Leaving a little note for someone to find at some point throughout their day can make that person feel so much better about themself. If you need more motivation that that, it makes you feel great too knowing that you did something to help a friend. So I challenge you to go out and encourage someone everyday and just watch and see that differernces that it makes in your life and in those who you build up.

1 Thesalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up . . ."