welcome to the board Pure! if you get a chance there's a thread under the open titled "getting to know you".........give ya some grins and giggles learning all about us and if so inclined - tell us some more about you!
as for encouragement: it's one of the many reasons I come back here time and time again. It doesn't even have to be me they're cheering on or patting on the back - it still lifts my spirit and motivates me to be ride farther, climb higher, and go faster!
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming: "Yeah Baby! What a Ride!"