There are many things that make me sad. The movie "Up." An elder sitting alone eating at a restaurant. Losing someone close to you. Seeing someone cry. The notification that my grade has been updated. Getting put in groups for group projects. Watching my ice cream slide off the cone and onto the pavement.
Listening to someone reply to a compliment.
Often than not, it’s not an enthusiastic "thank you," but rather, a surprised expression or a quick turn down; shaking their head and muttering about how the person complimenting them is lying. And it seems to be that the more compliments I throw at someone, the less likely they are to believe that any of them are true.
That's bologna to me. Why? Not because turkey is better, but because I don’t lie when I speak kindly regarding someone. If I’m telling you that you look good, goodness gracious, you look good. And yes, I may tell you that again and again and again but through my eyes, you’re the fire emoji. That’s just how it is, dawg. And I say deal with it but that does nothing. That’s like telling a dog to speak French and waiting for him to bark "bonjour"while wagging his tail. Stop waiting for the barking "bonjour" and start believing me. The greatest of people can’t seem to swallow the compliment and let it rest in their ginormous hearts.
I shouldn’t be tooting my horn like I don’t do this whatsoever myself because I’m the same way. I don’t know why we’re like this. Why we can’t believe the goodness people speak about us. Maybe it’s because we’re too digested in the weaknesses; in the flaws we see in the mirror. Good thing those mean squat to me and your loved ones.
Compliments will always bring forth a weird meaning. It’s like when someone starts singing "Happy Birthday" to you. You’re not always entirely sure what to do. Do you sing along or just smile? Especially in the strange case when it’s not actually your birthday. Regardless of whether you sing along or hide away, you should still take it deep to heart the kind words people are saying about you.
I’m going to compliment you, and I think it’s about time we stop wondering why I said it, when I said it, and start believing it instead.
“If you see something beautiful in someone, speak it.”
Don’t ever hesitate. You never know how much those few words will mean to someone. And if someone sees something beautiful in you, let them speak it.
I understand, it feels weird hearing stuff like that, but this is no competition in my eyes. If I’m complimenting you, I don’t expect anything in return. You don’t do something for someone expecting them to return the favor or words. You do it because you want to and you feel like it needs to be done/said. And I know, at times you’ll feel like I’m lying to you but have no fear. Don’t think twice about it. Don’t overanalyze it. There’s no such thing as over complimenting someone when you’re speaking the truth.
Random compliments make the world a better place.
“Magnify someone’s strengths, not their weaknesses.”
It’s time we start telling people how awesome they are before it’s too late. And it’s time we start believing how awesome we are, too.
