The Power of Compliments is Incredible. If You Like Something, Just Say It!

I am pretty sure every other person likes compliments as I do. Well, you might not be sure you do, but you literally don't hate them. We all know how our faces blush so hard when we hear those words of admiration and praise, compliments, from whoever utters them out — be it a stranger, an acquaintance, or a close friend. How about that glittering smile that enlightens our faces as we say “Thank you for the compliment.” And of course, not to forget that inner feeling of one's uplift of self-esteem once it comes to their notice that at least someone has realised how smart, talented, and good-looking they are. Who still thinks they dislike compliments? I guess no one.

These are some of the simple yet clear examples showing how statements like, “you're smart, talented, good-looking,” and others like these ones can bring a smile to a gloomy face and more importantly help one improve their self-worth. When it comes to girls, compliments become some sort of a push forward. That makeup one says looks good on you makes you want to wear it some other time. Those outfits, that people say make you look younger, make you want to fill your wardrobe with the same or something nearly similar. Just imagine you've dressed yourself up in an incredibly smart manner, and by the end of the day, you realise no one even bothered to tell you how smart you appeared. Of course, I know you did not dress to impress, but who says a compliment would hurt? It's not because you passed by blind people all the way — no. Some people might even have noticed your stunning outfits but maybe thought it was unnecessary to say that to you.

Back in high school, I never thought I would write a good article. I got to know I could write something other people would enjoy reading from the feedback from my fellow colleagues, only after some of my articles were published on the students' blog. When writing them, I did not know they could flow well as some students at school exclaimed. Some even asked me how I got ideas to write about things they said could hardly pop up in their minds. Upon hearing this, I smiled and thanked them. I could realise how useful their compliments were the time I was writing other articles. That time when I felt like giving up on completing a certain piece of writing, I always remembered how my fellows liked the previous ones, and I was motivated to go ahead and finish. I even aimed at writing a way better article than the one before because I felt like there was so much more to get creative about. Their admiration for my pieces of writing brimmed me with confidence; therefore, I continued to write more. And here I am.

Besides the blushing and smiling, compliments can help one discover their potential(s). And if they already did, they could try hard to improve it. We know many people who have become famous because people admired their works on social media. For instance, most photographers here in Rwanda start by uploading pictures on their social media accounts; people send them positive feedback and it keeps them going. Among these people, many are not even friends with them. If a stranger can see how amazing someone's work is, how about you, a friend that notices the same thing but hesitates to point it out? Why not say it?

That compliment might be the one that could create confidence in a person and, consequently, motivate them to do something better. So, let's allow others to have that feeling we get after being complimented.

I must say, however, that I am not urging you to offer insincere ones. Rather, I am encouraging you to say those genuine compliments you tend to keep to yourselves.

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