A while back, I found this list of compliments. The compliments were in a list titled, "27 Compliments That Are Not About Physical Appearance." I thought that the words were nice and meaningful, and if said at the right time, heartfelt. I kept the list in my daily planner, and every time I change planners, I re-copy the list. This is a small reminder that things aren't only beautiful on the outside. Recently, I was going through my planner, and I rediscovered this list. Seeing it again made me think of all of the material things that we are concerned with in life, and then it made me think about how little these material things should actually matter to us. I want to share with you all this "small" list in hopes that it helps you the way it has helped me.
1. You're empowering.
2. I like your voice.
3. You're strong.
4. I think your ideas/beliefs matter.
5. I'm so happy you exist.
6. More people should listen to what you have to say.
7. You're a very warmhearted person.
8. It's nice seeing such kindness.
9. You're very down to Earth.
10. You have a beautiful soul.
11. You inspire me to be a better person.
12. Our conversations bring me a lot of joy.
13. It's good to see someone care so much.
14. You're so understanding.
15. You matter a lot to me.
16. You're important, even if you don't think so.
17. You're intelligent.
18. Your passion is contagious.
19. Your confidence is refreshing.
20. You restore my faith in humanity.
21. You're great at being creative.
22. You're so talented at ____.
23. I don't get tired of you the way I get tired of other people.
24. You have a great taste in ___.
25. I'm happy I stayed alive long enough to meet you.
26. I wish more people were like you.
27. You're so good at loving people.
I think it is important to remember that there are so many different things that make us who we are, and everything that surrounds us is wonderful in its own unique way. The one that hits me the hardest though, is "I'm happy I stayed alive long enough to meet you". It really drives home the fact that these interactions that we have with the people we love and care about are so far beyond the surface — so far beyond and so much deeper than our looks.
It is very humbling to pay compliments to people that bring out the best in them, other than the physical or material part of life. It is also uplifting to be someone on the opposite end, receiving a compliment about a part of life that we may often find ourselves struggling in. To tell someone that they are important explicitly can mean the world to them, just as telling someone they're good at something can help to relieve any stress or anxiety they are feeling about themselves or their talents. I hope that on a day-to-day basis, these compliments stay in your head, and in your heart, and you are able to pay someone a compliment not based on their physical appearance from time to time.
