Complimentary Compliment

Day 11: I am thankful for compliments. 

I don't mean the kind you get every day (although those are nice and gladly accepted), like when your mom says "you look cute" each morning (that actually happens every morning- I love my mom). I mean the genuine, unique compliments. The kind you don't get every day. The kind that you feel you have to share or you might just explode. The kind you get from people who don't know you that well or people who don't generally give out compliments. Those are the greatest.

I am definitely a person who is easily swayed by what people think of me. It's something I've really been trying to fix, so I'm not so easily affected by others' opinions. However, it can be a super good thing when what people think of me happens to be something positive. It means it is incredibly easy to make my day and to make me like you. 

I started thinking about compliments a lot today because I got several. I curled my hair, [which is always a strange, gravity defying feat]. That inspired a few notes of approval. But the comment that really got me thinking about the positive things people say to me was from someone I had never met in the store today. I had just finished trying a pair of shoes on a little boy and attempting to give his parents advice on which shoes I thought they should get. We didn't have the ones they wanted, so I clearly was undeserving of any positive remarks. I wasn't much help at all other than to tell them what size shoe they should get and offer to call them if we got anymore. BUT those people seemed so happy to have listened to what I was saying. They were so glad I was trying to help them {I like people like that- thankful, happy people}. Then, they asked me what my name was, looked me in the eye and said "Thank you so much for your help today, Jessie. You have been great!" Whoa! I don't even know these people, but they seemed so genuinely thankful and appreciative of my help. 

Which brings me to another thought (they actually aren't related, but that seemed like a good transition). One of the greatest compliments I have ever received has been when someone says they're proud of something I did. Proud is a big word. Not in size, but in importance. It has a lot of impact and people don't just say that every day. I believe when someone say that, most likely, they really mean it. It means they are so satisfied with whatever you have done, they are ecstatic about being associated with you. I like that.

Compliments are fabulous. We all know the impact words can have on a person, and I think a compliment is the best thing you can do for someone. It can change the entire course of their day just by boosting their mood.

here is a compliment for all of you out there who continue to read my blog (even on the boring days): I think you are terrific. I mean that with the utmost sincerity. I love that people are interested in what I have to say enough to read it, and I love the support I get. So, I think you are amazing (for continuing to read this and for being there for me).

advice for the day: Don't ever hold back a compliment.