Should We Give More Compliments?

Yes

Yes, we should.

Wherever you find yourself, spread a little more positivity and leave the area better than you found it.

Giving compliments is an art that only a few have mastered, and only a few can dare to do, especially when it comes to strangers - people on a bus, a fellow pedestrian, a random person at the bus stop, or someone attending to you in a store.

The other end of the spectrum is receiving compliments.

They are both awkward, leaving someone unsure of what to do for a split second and might not be well received.

But it can be agreed that a compliment given or received leaves someone feeling better.

It makes you feel better for getting it off your chest and letting someone know how smart they looked; it makes the receiver feel better about themselves and maybe even gives a little pop to their day.

Of course, there is the factor that your compliments won’t be well received, maybe the person had a bad day, or just wasn’t in the mood for being noticed. Getting told off by them could have triggered shock and a bit of discouragement in you.

You really shouldn’t let that tick you off and make you retreat. Everyone is burning through life; one small act of kindness from you can cause a ripple effect in one day.

“I love your dress,” “you look great”, “oh, nice shoes!”

We have been so conditioned to hate and avoid one another that we forget that sometimes hearing opinions of others about the things we are doing makes us feel great.

Maybe they weren’t feeling so sure about what they had on, maybe they needed a pat on the back before going ahead with a decision, maybe they had shouldered a heavy blow to their self-esteem earlier in the day. It doesn’t matter what time of the day you give a compliment when you see someone; a lot of things could have gone down in their lives in just one hour, none of which you are aware of, but all of which you can help them cast aside with one kind word or gesture.

So yes, we should give more compliments, not with the intention of getting into their life or wanting something out of them, but to just make someone feel better and spread positivity wherever you are.

As it is popularly said, “life is hard, be kind.” No one knows the battles you are fighting, nor do you know the battles they are fighting, but one thing you can be sure of is that compliments travel and will always circle back to you, not in the same way you sent them out, but in a way tailored made for you.

Wouldn’t you like to have that someday?