Someone I know had been struggling with life.  And while I’d heard their stories many times before, I didn’t have a good working knowledge of the particular issue they were living with.

So I made an effort to find out a little more about what they were facing.  It took me a little bit of time over a few weeks.  Not that much effort at all.

The result?

I came to a point where I felt I could say to them, “I have a better understanding now of what you’re going through.  I acknowledge your difficulties, and I think our relationship will be better from now on.”

Their response?

As if many worries had fallen so easily from their shoulders.  And in our relationship, we’ve since gone from strength to strength.

Oh how I love the concept of a true pinch point – minimum effort for maximum gain.