I don’t know if it’s because I’m in my 50’s, but the compliments seem to be coming in a lot less than they used to. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not concerned about my appearance nor do I suffer from low self esteem. It just seems like people aren’t as forthright as they used to be in regard to saying nice things directly to you.
It could be the case that social media has made it easier to simply write a quick post, like a comment or a photo. Perhaps the act of doing so, has reduced the need to give a compliment directly.
Now I’m also talking not about the sleezy wolf whistle that once echoed the building sites as you walked by. Nor am I talking about the ‘hey babe… you’re looking hot today’ remarks. I’m talking about the nice things we think about that remain in our heads as opposed to pushing air behind them and exhaling them as words.
Sprinkle some rose petals
A couple of years ago I had the honour of having lunch with a 91 year old host of my company, The Room Xchange. Her name is Maggie and she’s from Brisbane. She learned that I was visiting Brisbane and she insisted on taking me out for lunch. I knocked on the front door, she gracefully opened it and in an instant she said ‘Oh my.. you’re so lovely. You’re as beautiful as your photos’. I was taken aback as she was so forthright and complimentary in her voice.
I said to her ‘Maggie, that’s so nice of you to say so. Compliments have been a little less of late.’
She then said ‘Well dear, I’d rather sprinkle rose petals on you while you’re alive instead of waiting until you’re dead.’
I'd rather sprinkle rose petals on you while you're alive instead of waiting until you're dead. Click To TweetMore rose petals
A few years earlier I was in the local shopping centre. I had been feeling rather drab as I had recently had a surgery. I decided to put on a nice Kaftan top, do my makeup and head out for a while. As I was walking through the shopping centre, an older woman stopped me and said ‘darling, I absolutely love that Kaftan’. Little did she know how awful I felt that day and how her simple words made me feel somewhat beautiful.
If you’re thinking something nice about someone, say it. Sprinkle rose petals on them while they’re alive. Don’t wait to share the compliments as it may just be too late.
By Ludwina Dautovic
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