In the book, If I Were Starting My Family Again, John M. Drescher tells of a little boy trying to get his father’s attention when he scraped his knee.

After his dad impatiently looks up from his paper and barks, "Well, what can I do about it?" the boy, hurt by his harshness, says, "You could say, 'Ouch.'"

You could say ouch. What a wonderful metaphor to remind us of the power and importance of caring and taking the time to show it. That little boy wasn’t asking his dad to solve a problem; he was trying to share an event.

Because I have a tendency to focus on fixing rather than feeling, I have to remind myself that empathy is not an intellectual ability. It’s an emotional quality with healing power that works only when expressed. Sometimes, just listening and showing genuine interest and compassion is all that’s needed. With four young daughters and a sensitive wife, I’m still learning that tenderness is more important than toughness.

When my kids were little, the remedy for every "ouchie" was a kiss from mommy or daddy directly on the wounded area. It’s easy to laugh at, but there’s something truly wonderful about how often a loving kiss makes things better for young children.

We shouldn’t underestimate the healing power of sincere compassion, concern, and affection. We ought to try it more on adults. Take a moment to acknowledge their “ouchies,” too, and simply be there – with a kiss, hug, or kind word of consolation.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.