The GIFT of Compliments

“Compliments should be given with no further motive than honesty.  If ever in question.  Just be your beautiful self.  Take it.”

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There is a wonderful thing that happens when a compliment is spoken.  These polite expressions of praise or admiration can encourage and spark the spirit of another.  Being praised allows us to feel good about ourselves and this can help to boost their performance. At the workplace, praise provides the kind of positive experience or ‘uplift’ that can increase employees’ morale, motivation and engagement, and renew their commitment to their manager and the organization.

During this time of uncertainty, it is even more important to extend words of honor and appreciation to loved ones, friends, and colleagues.  Personally, I enjoy imparting a compliment so I can see their wide smiles and their eyes beam with pride. I enjoy imparting joy to another and particularly complete strangers.  It’s as if I am presenting a gift beautifully wrapped in ribbons of love and surprising the unsuspecting recipient. 

In addition, a compliment to another is affirming the individual and his or her value.  It says, “I see you”. It says, “what you do, what you say, what you feel matters to me and others”.  It is often said we are paying another a compliment.  Paying forward words of support, reassurance, or enthusiasm is a valuable treasure.  What an amazing world it would be if we could spend more time complimenting others versus pointing out the flaws, hurts, and dislikes of them.

“Compliment people.  Magnify their strengths, not their weaknesses.”

Unknown

What I have learned in my life is that expressing my sweetest and authentic thoughts with those I know results in deeper closeness and to the stranger, a connection to a new person, who can become a new friend, contact, or an angel in disguise. Compliments build confidence.  Compliments spark creativity.  Compliments build trust.  Compliments are a reward.   Compliments benefit the giver.  Compliments promotes selflessness.  Compliments increase intelligence.  Compliments create a ripple of kindness.

I truly enjoy hearing kind words.  I enjoy reading kind words.  Compliments light up my day!  As I write this, I recall receiving some wonderful compliments and share them with you.  I pray you will get a chance to pay a genuine compliment, like the ones below to your loved one.  And one day, you will receive a precious gift of a compliment and that it will make your day, as well.

1.  You’re funny!
2. I’ve learned so much from talking to you.
3. You have such an incredible smile
4. I trust you
5. You’re not like anyone I’ve known before
6. You’re good at… fill in ___________________the blank
7. I can do so much more when I am with you
8. You’re sexy!
9. You look amazing!
10. You’re my favorite person I’d like to spend time with.

Frankly, we are closer to God when we spread words of encouragement and appreciation to others.  It is God’s love for us that allows us the opportunities to reciprocate that love unto others. Compliments are a simple way to strengthen a relationship with family and friends.  It is those words that can help bring forth the Good News.  Faith in yourself and in others is restored in the context of kind words.

Believe it or not, your kind words help to improve the esteem of the other person.  The key with compliments is to make them thoughtful, specific, and related to things you have observed.  If you’re genuine in pointing out aspects you truly like about the person, you cannot go wrong.

Be generous with your verbal affection.  Compliments cost nothing.  Pay it forward.  The return on your generosity is priceless and without limit.  In fact, Mark Twain said it best, “I can live for two months on a good compliment”.  You will too!

….now what, Linda