Hi, all-
It's been far too long since I've directed my writing energy here. To be honest, I can't say it won't be long until I do it again; while I'd love to, my writing mind and heart is split in a few directions these days.
Anywho, I just had to share this message - a pay it forward-type message...
Give somebody a compliment today. A genuine, bottom of your heart, make somebody pause and frigging near cry appreciation type of compliment - in person, or at least live.
I got a compliment like that yesterday, and it came from someone I respect and admire. It made my day- and will probably make days to come. The best part about it - it was just about me showing up as me.
Actions speak louder than words, right? Well, yes, but I've realized that words of affirmation are actually important to me. I own that. While I've developed and had a reasonable amount of self-confidence throughout my life, I have my insecurities, too.
We often freely give and get compliments via social media like-fests and comments, which is nice and fine, but they somehow become a blur. But there is something about actually hearing them that strikes a different chord, hits a different receptor.
The thing about giving compliments is that it's one of those gives that shouldn't take from you. At best, it should fill you and the other person up! Doesn't it feel good to make someone else feel special? (Oprah is a master of making people feel special - and she's a billionaire! I'm sure it's no coincidence ;-))
Throughout this never-ending panorama panasonic pandemonium (pandemic ;-) it feels like we've all been clinging to the vestiges of mental stability. This has been grueling. People are going through (clap) it (clap).
So, please - give that compliment you've been holding back. It's far too easy to tear people down. Give someone a nice heaping helping of genuine, audible soul food. Don't underestimate the power of your genuine, heartfelt words. They could be just the thing someone needed.
