I just think it’s silly to be stingy with compliments. If you see someone and they strike you as beautiful in any way, why not let them know?
-Jill Scott
Words are powerful. Words can tear you down, but they can also be uplifting. Since I try to live in the positive, let’s talk about the power of compliments.
Last night, the family and I went to a food truck event for dinner. After perusing the different menu options, we got our food and set out to find a spot to sit down. There was an empty bench in front of an older couple that was available. We sat down and politely chatted while we ate our food.
My son was getting restless, so my husband took him out of the stroller. Now, I usually keep my son occupied with toys, songs, books, etc. My husband has a more physical approach. Tossing him in the air, placing him on his shoulders, and swinging him in the air are all ways he plays with our son. After I couldn’t take this “playing” (on concrete no less!), I started to pack up our things so we could head home.
As we were started to leave, we said good bye to the friendly couple. The woman smiled warmly and said, “You have a lovely family.” We thanked her for her kind words and headed to the car.
The rest of the evening and even today, I couldn’t help but think of her words. Only 5 short words, but they meant so much to me. And, the fact that a stranger noticed our greatness (my arrogance is showing! LOL!) means a lot. I mean we weren’t doing anything out of the ordinary. We would have acted the same had we been at home.
The fact that she was able to see how much we love each other gives me great pride. We may not agree on everything all the time, but my husband and I love each other to the moon and back. And the love we have for our son is above measure.
She didn’t have to share her thoughts, but I’m so glad she did. I repaid her with my thanks and a huge smile. In fact, I had a big smile the rest of the evening. The visit to the food trucks went from a typical Thursday night to a truly memorable moment.
Now imagine if you could do the same for someone else? It’s not hard, and it doesn’t take a long time. Start with your family. Tell your husband, you like his outfit. Compliment your sister on her new hairstyle. Tell your waiter how much you enjoyed his service. Whatever you decide, be genuine!
Compliments are a win-win situation. You can impart a little of happiness to someone else, and chances are you will feel better too. What a great mood booster!
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