.
If you are like me, getting a compliment can make your day. Who doesn’t love it when they hear that color looks great on you, I love your shoes, or you’re a great cook?
For some of us, taking a compliment is not as easy as one may think. Emotional baggage and self deprecating thoughts are fun.
I am learning to take a compliment after years of thinking I was never enough. You know the feeling – when you are a teenager and feel like you are not pretty enough… strong enough… smart enough. Some of us never shake that off and as adults, it’s hard to actually believe we are worthy. Compliments are the cherry on our ice cream sundaes of self love.
It seems we give compliments so generously to children, but when did this act of kindess stop for adults? Does it make us feel vulnerable when we open up the door of selflessness in the way of making someone feel better without any personal gain? The world would be a more loving place if grown-ups treated one another with the same kindness we treat children.
Let’s start this weekend: If you think something positive about someone, tell them; simple as that. It can be a stranger who is wearing a cool hat or great pair of shoes. Maybe you have a dear friend who always makes you laugh (have you told them?). The feeling you get, when you see their eyes and smile, will be priceless.
Let’s pay it forward; one compliment at a time.
.“I can live for two months on a good compliment” ~ Mark Twain
Christine Macdonald 
What a great reminder. Making someone smile from a compliment is a beautiful thing!
LikeLike
I've been a little peeved at my husband lately. He's such a good man, but not a good motherer when I am sick and the stomach flu has been reeking havoc on me this week. I've been brittle and snipey with him. Today the sun is shining. The sky is blue and I am feeling better, although I still held onto my bitterness. As he was trying to engage me in conversation, I was answering him in angry cutting tones. But, then I looked up at his hopeful face and realized he just can't deal too well with sick and if that's the worst he's going to give me, I have to let it go. I burst out with, "Look at you. You're so handsome." And he burst into a smile and we hugged and I cried and we stayed there just holding on and all is well on this beautiful day because I chose to be kind. Great, succinct post.
LikeLike
I think you are great!
LikeLike
I think what you said about having hang ups as children and carrying it with us into our adult life. I always thought I was under smart. But apparently not. I never had cinfidence as a child.. some times even now I fall by the way side. I have just read your post and I now know that you are a lovely bright intelligent woman..well done.Indixx
LikeLike
@Melanie – It really is. I love catching strangers off guard. :)@Joann – Okay, this made ME tear up! I love that you chose Happy. @Danielle – I think you are too. Thank you!!!
LikeLike
@Indigo – Awweee thank you!
LikeLike
I totally agree, in fact it feels like winning a prize when we give a compliment that is eagerly received. I love to do it.Secretia
LikeLike
I can feel good just from giving a smile to a stranger and getting one back. Good post!
LikeLike
I try to compliment someone and do one 'good deed' per day. I like it, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
LikeLike
I love your writing and read every post.See how easy that is? 🙂
LikeLike
"Compliments are the cherry on our ice cream sundaes of self love."Excellent post, and that line above was my favorite. You rocked it.:)
LikeLike
@ JoannSweetie, you just made my eyes well up!@ ChristineYour blog has been a great find for me. You always have interesting posts and such beautiful photography!P.S. You are also very pretty!Melissa XX
LikeLike
I adore the pay it forward concept..I always try to compliment someone if I like their hair (or their shoes!!), and the smile they give in return is so worth it!
LikeLike
kindness the world will never have enough… its growing shorter every year
LikeLike
I think you're a brilliant writer and I love the way you think! 🙂
LikeLike
I told my waitress that she smelled good this morning.Her response: "You know, I always get told this but I can never smell myself so I don't know how I smell."My response back: "Of course people can't smell themselves. That's why people who stink continue to not wear deodorant."I have a feeling I'm going to have to do more work on this complimenting thing. lol.I did make her laugh though.I hope you have a Happy Easter.
LikeLike
By the way, you look younger in your more recent pictures then you did in the pictures of you when you used to be a stripper.That isn't a compliment though.It is simply the truth.
LikeLike
What a great post!! It took me a long time, and years of therapy to learn how to take a compliment with grace. I hear ya on how difficult it can be to feel "good enough". I always make a point of leaving someone feeling better about themselves after being with them. It is so important!!! You, my friend, are amazing in so many ways. I am so glad I "met" you. ((hugs)) to you
LikeLike
Stopping by from SITS! Glad I did! You are beautiful! Inside & out!Smiles SITSta!Jody
LikeLike
Stopping by from SITS! Great post and always a great idea!
LikeLike
I used to be like that.. when someone pays me a compliment, instead of accepting and thanking them, I go 'nah, nah I'm not like that'… but lately, I'm trying my best to change. To accept the compliments and that I'm worthy of it.Thank you for the great post, happy Easter! 🙂
LikeLike
Such a wonderful post, you rock!
LikeLike
What a wonderful and timely post…Sometimes we can totally MAKE someone's day by doing just that…When I was going through counseling after the death of my Dad and my divorce… I told the counselor that I had such a difficult time dealing with compliments…She told me… 'Shoes… accept a compliment for what it is… it's a gift!!!'And it is… so I tend to fight off embarassment… or blushing when someone gives me a compliment… by thanking them… :o)"Pay it forward"… one never goes wrong there!~shoes~
LikeLike
I love giving compliments! Great blog post. It's a nice reminder that I should do it even more.
LikeLike
You should have no trouble taking compliments. You're beautiful, inside and out!
LikeLike
Thanks for the great reminder. I have a hard time accepting compliments. I need to get better at giving them as well. Stopping by from SITS
LikeLike
great post. I also have a problem with accepting compliments. I have a girlfriend that always says, "say Thank you, Kerry." when I try and shrug one off.found you on SITS. I'm impressed.~Kerry
LikeLike
The best compliment to get is from a stranger because obviously they noticed something about you and liked it enough to talk to a stranger. You know they can't be lying..I'll try to do that tommorrow
LikeLike
I learned this years ago. A former co-worker was extremely (yet genuinely) complimentary, and I was so drawn to her and liked her so much. It made me want to be the same way. I also have a hard time taking a compliment, but I'm working on it.Stopped by from SITS!
LikeLike
Christine, I needed one comment (compliment?) really bad, before I got to bed tonight, and you supplied it. Now I could add you to my gratitude list. (Don't know WHY I am really "down" this night.)Anyway, THANK YOU!Oh, you started off this post with: "If you are like me, getting a compliment can make your day." How ABOUT that?
LikeLike
One of my favorite books is "The 5 Love Languages." My love language is definitely Words of Affirmation. Yes, I can live off a compliment for 2 months, as Mr. Twain said. Living with teenagers is like living through a Word of Affirmation FAMINE!I think you wrote a lovely post today:)
LikeLike
Great idea! I just joined the RAOK (Random Acts of Kindness) Challenge for April you do one act of kindness everyday. Check it out!http://savingforsomeday.com/2010/04/01/the-random-act-of-kindness-challenge-one-month-one-act-everyday/
LikeLike
Visited via SITS. Have a great Monday.
LikeLike
Oh yes – definitely a great habit to cultivate. I have slacked in doing this recently – thanks for the reminder.
LikeLike
Yea… i am addicted to compliments.. if i get a comment in my blog, or if i get appreciated @work it means a lot to me…But you must be careful while complimenting kids.. they shouldnt get addicted to it
LikeLike
I love this post. I think we all need to be more kind and look for opportunities to say loving words. Love always wins. I am going to say some kind things today!
LikeLike
I loved this post! I totally agree with you.I love making someone smile and that makes me happy!Betty xx
LikeLike
This is a fabulous post and a wonderful way to remind us all to do good things every day. I am your newest follower & thanks so much for stopping by my blog!
LikeLike
p.s. I have an ex that lives in Laguna! We still keep in touch occasionally. He's an attorney, I think his office is in Dana Point (or maybe his new house)?
LikeLike
It's definitely never a bad idea to give someone a compliment! After all, you never know, it could be just what they needed after a rough day!Stopping by from SITS…Samantha Van Vleet LSPhttp://www.reviews.anotherteenmom.comhttp://www.anotherteenmom.comAnd my friend's blog too!http://www.jessicalovestosavemoney.blogspot.com
LikeLike
Following you over from Trendy Treehouse’s Marketing Monday. I am awful about taking compliments (but I always give when deserved).I am loving and following your blog 🙂
LikeLike
It's amazing to me how easy it is for me to spew compliments to others, but can't seem to choke them down when they are given to me. Found you via SITS and so glad I did! I'm your newest follower!
LikeLike
Wonderful words. I love receiving and giving compliments.
LikeLike