You know how we often talk about those wacky national holidays? You know, how we sometimes discuss how it’s National Talk to Squirrels and Other Woodland Creatures Day, and stuff like that? Today’s actually a pretty good one. Today is National Compliment Day.
Paying compliments is a form of bringing positivity into the world. We need more of that. Many of us spend so much time beating ourselves up that we forget that there are good things about ourselves and others. People suffering from alcohol abuse, drug addiction, and mental illnesses might think poorly of themselves, but they need to remember that they are not their illnesses.
Seeking treatment and connecting with others can help these people feel better about themselves. Paying compliments is a simple, but often effective, way to connect to others.
As someone who can be shy, I’ve found that paying compliments also helps me start conversations. I’ll comment on the color of someone’s shirt, or an interesting piece of jewelry, or something else about a person. The other people seem to enjoy the compliments and often tell me a story about the items I’ve mentioned.
If someone compliments me, I’m also likely to compliment them or someone else. This process pays the good feelings forward and produces a chain of good emotions.
Being complimented is one of those things that might initially seem so minor but can have huge consequences. If we’re feeling better about ourselves, we’re more likely to think that we’re worthwhile. We’re more likely to take care of ourselves and seek treatment if we need it. How we think about ourselves can make such a difference in how we treat ourselves (and treat others).
It’s not that we should only consider what others say about us. Instead, we should consider introducing compliments and positivity into our lives. That’s so much kinder to ourselves than letting negativity overwhelm us. This should help us change what we have to say about ourselves and others.
It’s not just what’s happening in our lives, but how we think about it. Hey, I like your hair. Did you get it cut?
