Reason to SMILE #202: COMPLIMENTS
Please don’t think of me as shallow but…
I LOVE to receive compliments!
Yes. I do.
When I ready myself for the day and walk out the door thinking I look particularly well, it’s nice to hear that someone else agrees with my assessment. When I’ve worked diligently on a project or event and am feeling proud of my accomplishments, it’s great to hear a “well done” from others. Compliments make me feel good. And I would dare say that many of you out there enjoy receiving these words of admiration and praise just as much as I do (whether you admit it or not).
If that is true, I have to wonder…
Since we all like receiving compliments, why then is it so difficult for us to share compliments with others?
It only seems logical that if we desire to hear praise, we should learn to give praise to others. After all, the Bible does tell us to “do to others as you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31). Of course, we shouldn’t spew out words of flattery hoping to receive a few in return. That’s certainly not what I’m saying here. But let’s face it, you reap what you sow and some of us struggle with sowing those seeds of encouragement and praise, especially us women.
Yes, ladies. We can be brutal to each other. Even when we don’t say a word, our silence speaks volumes. Our condescending glances and snooty little smirks convey plenty to those who are only looking for a smidgen of acceptance. We purposely withhold our encouragement from each other. But why?
Is it because of jealousy? Are we afraid to admit someone else may look better or may have achieved something greater? Do we have such a low self-image that we can’t give a simple compliment to another who is most likely suffering with the same low self-esteem?
It baffles me.
Ladies, we need do better. It’s time to begin lifting up each other. It’s time to encourage one another. It’s time to spread the love we long for ourselves. Just think. Your kind words might brighten someone’s day. Even more, your thoughtfulness might be the key to helping a self-loathing individual see herself in a different light.
How powerful a simple compliment can be! It can lift the spirits, lighten a mood, foster friendships, correct our vision and provoke a multitude of SMILES. Go wield some of that power today!!
A Couple of Stars and a Happy Face 