Offering Encouragement

That is a very important point. The other point you brought to mind is to be sure that the advise you are giving is thoughtful. In other words, when a friend comes to you and asks, "Should I quit my day job and pursue my art career?" It would be very easy to say yes. It's likely that's the response your friend is looking for or why the question? So you say YES and he/she loses everything from the loss of income. Even a good friend may resent your advise. What I'm trying to say here is be careful with encouragement. We all know how hard it is to make it in the art world. By making it I mean making the rent each month on art sales. No one wants to discourage another artist, either. My husband reminds me constantly that most people don't and aren't prepare for truth. I still believe it is the best way to go. Tell the truth as you see it with your heart completely opened and your love large enough to lose for the risk of offering it.

Here are few words of wisdom from an old broad:

Judge no one
Listen to everyone at every opportunity you're given
Be authentic
Know that there is only love and fear in this world
Choose love