Words have worked. JOY. Trust. Mostly JOY.
But, I've been noodling over this thought that was planted in my head recently by I-wish-I-remembered-who! Was it a blogger? Probably. If it's YOU, claim it in the comments here, will you?
The idea was that when you encounter people (friends, loved ones, strangers) and find yourself thinking something complimentary about them, SPEAK IT ALOUD TO THEM.
While Christmas shopping, I found myself pulling open the door to Panera, close behind another women who had the most beautiful colored coat on. I don't remember the color now, and the color isn't what's important. It's what I did next that's important. I touched her shoulder and said, "I love your coat. The color is gorgeous!" She smiled and thanked me. But as she turned away, I saw that her smile stayed. It cost me nothing. We both moved through the door together. No time was lost. So, why don't I do this all the time?
I know most of the cashiers at my neighborhood grocery store -- even though I tend to go through the self check-out line. But on this particular day, there was a new cashier, and I went through her line. And then I saw... her fingernails. I don't remember the design now, but the design isn't what's important. It's what I did next that's important. As she scanned my groceries, I said, "Your nails are beautiful!" She smiled, and told me a story about them. It cost me nothing. I stood still directly in front of her while she did her job. No time was lost. Why don't I do this all the time?
"Sir... the black stripe in your scarf
really brings out your beautiful charcoal eyes!"
[The picture may be a bit of a *wink*, but the sentiment of this post is sincere!]
Both of the moments that I mentioned were just a small connection. It's not likely that I will speak with these women again -- or maybe I will. But did you notice? Neither of the "connections" took any additional time. So why don't I do this all the time?
Please know that I am not trying to "toot my own horn." Rather, I am trying to plant a thought in your head. WHAT IF. What if when we found ourselves thinking a nice thought about someone, we expressed it? What do we have to lose? -- and more importantly, what would the person receiving our comment gain?
How far would this little task go in building people up and encouraging them?
I guess we'll never know unless we try.
My plan for 2015, is to try HARDER. Will you join me?
Feel free to report back if you have interesting results!
[Linking up to Share Your Cup Thursday.]
Hi Sally!
ReplyDeleteI am with you on encouraging others! Sometimes it is those quick compliments from people that stay with us for years to come. When I was a teenager I belonged to a ladies group at my church. At one of our meetings we had to do a project...we all took a paper plate and put our names on it. It then got passed around the group and each lady had to write a positive thing about the person whose plate they had.
Some of the ladies had wrote on mine....you have a beatiful smile (which I never thought so), you're a sweet girl etc.... Those simple compliments on a plate had come back to me through the years when I was feeling bad about myself. I kept the plate for many years.
There is so much negative in the world a little kindness goes a long way! We never know what a person is dealing with in their personal lives and even a smile may brighten their day!! :)
Happy New Year Sal!! So good to see that you are keeping up with your blogging--and even more awesome--that you are encouraging kindness, goodness, giving and being others focused. Love this post and love you! Take care you. All the best in 2015!!!
ReplyDeleteI like this, Sally. For a number of years now I have been reaching out to others this way. Sometimes it's as simple as asking the grocery store check-out clerk, "How are you today?" It's amazing how often he or she will not just answer, but smile and thank ME for asking. So simple, really. But just knowing that a customer would care seems to make a big difference in their day. Love God, love others. I'm glad you visited A Joyful Cottage today so I could come and visit you, too. Have a joy-filled day! ~ Nancy
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, Sally! I think both hugs and compliments does wondrous things and it takes only a moment of our time and we definitely need to do both more often:) Thanks for sharing your beautiful sentiment! Happy New Year to you! Hugs, Poppy
ReplyDeleteSally, the title of your blog is so perfect for Share Your Cup! I absolutely love this post!! A couple years ago I noticed that I often thought complimentary things about people, but rarely told them. I decided that I would let them know. Let me tell you how it has enriched my life. Making others smile makes me smile. It really does as much for me as it does for them. You never know if you might be the only positive thing they hear all day. Thanks for sharing with SYC. Now following.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann