As I drove home from a quick errand-run in the darkness of evening, I experienced an emotion that I can only describe as glee. It was a sort of bubbly, joyful exuberance that caused me to smile and almost laugh out loud in my car.
Maybe I did let out a giggle or two.
What had put me in this pleasant mood?
I paid someone a compliment.
Sounds silly, I know, but I've always had trouble remembering to be aware of people around me and telling them the things I notice. But this evening I was feeling particularly observant (maybe it's all those Psych episodes I've been watching...I'm ready to pick up on those subtle clues!) and as I checked out my groceries, I noticed the girl bagging groceries had some very dramatic, glittery eye shadow on, and it struck me as very pretty.
Now, I will be the first to say that women to not need to wear makeup, but dash it all it's fun to put on! I tend to keep my makeup minimalistic and subtle, but when I get the chance to dress up for a special occasion or in costume, figuring out exactly how to make my makeup work is one of my favorite parts. It's not that easy - sort of like painting picture! And depending on your facial features and coloring, the styles you can pull of are sometimes limited.
It also tends to be my mode of operation to not "overdo it" with the eyeliner and lipstick - I've tried it a few times, and always ended up feeling ridiculous when I went out in public. It's just not me.
However, when I see someone else who not only has the guts to wear dramatic makeup in public but also pulls it off with flair? That I have an admiration for.
So tonight, in my observant state of mind, I felt that this young lady had put some effort into her appearance and was rocking it - even if it was just to bag groceries!
Now, when I put an effort into an outfit or hair or appearance in some way and feel especially good about it, there is something thrilling about a totally random stranger giving you a compliment. In fact, just a couple of days ago (ironically, also at the grocery store check-out line...) a lady told me she liked my outfit. It was my birthday, and I was wearing one of my favorite outfits - boots, skinny jeans, tunic top, scarf, and my wool coat. Still, it was a highlight to my day that she not only noticed, but felt strongly enough to say something.
It's these little things that help boost a girl's confidence in herself.
As I gathered up my grocery bags, I looked straight at the girl and told her I thought her makeup was really pretty, and pretty on her.
While I've always been nervous about complimenting people, her reaction made it worth it! If she was pretty before, she grew even more so with the smile she gave me, standing up a little straighter and giving her hair a toss - like she suddenly felt pretty.
And then it hit me - it's these little interactions with people, even random strangers you will likely never see again (though I do frequent the grocery store - hey, a girl's gotta eat!) that truly make life exciting. Allowing yourself to be open to the interactions is the hard part - once you make the decision to stop looking inward and notice the people around you, there is a joy that is irresistible. It was this joy that kept me smiling on my drive home and inspired me to write this post.
I don't open up easily. This interaction seems like a nudge, a gentle reminder that I need to keep working on myself - on my attitude, my confidence, my habits - and keep hoping that I'll get there someday!
What if every time you received a compliment, you had an obligation to return the favor by giving someone else, someone random, a word of kindness? Maybe if more people looked at the world with eyes open to what is good and right, instead of constantly griping about what is ugly and distressing, every day could be filled with small moments of glee.
And let's be honest, it's good to have the urge to giggle every now and again!
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." ~Leo Buscaglia
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