Depending on your personality type and emotional health, it can feel really good to give a compliment. How often do you compliment others? Try it and see how it feels. Compliments require one to look for the good in someone else. Heaven knows we need that in our world!
So take a moment and compliment someone near you; a roommate, partner, co-worker, child, parent, and the like. How did it feel to look for something positive? How did it feel to say those words?
Now…How did they respond?
Only one thing can sour giving a good compliment to someone: the response.
“Oh, I don’t know.”
“No I’m not.”
“This old thing? It’s nothing.”
Even an eye roll or turning away to avoid receiving a compliment can sour it. Our non-verbal communication can speak louder than words.
Accepting compliments well is just as important as giving them. It honors the person giving the compliment and allows you to believe something nice about yourself. In theory, everyone wins!
Same goes with saying, “Thanks instead of I’m sorry.”
This week, be kind! Practice giving (and receiving if possible) compliments with others in your life. Make sure to give equal importance to both sides of giving and receiving.
If you’re struggling with the task, try using a tried, true, and simple response: Thank you!
Maybe by doing these things, we can make the world a better place…or at least around us.
Photo by Charisse Kenion on Unsplash