When was the last time you received or gave a sincere compliment? Compliments can go a very long way in improving our morale and relationships. If we hold this true, what are the key reasons that discourage people from sharing more positive messages with others? The dictionary defines a compliment as a polite expression of praise or admiration. Based on this definition, compliments can take on many shapes and sizes. Compliments can range from sharing appreciation for the efforts or kindness of others to recognizing brilliance. Although giving compliments should be a no-brainer, they can also bring out our insecurities. Compliments are powerful; they empower people to believe in themselves and their talents, and they give people a boost of positive energy. When we operate from an ego-less state of mind, we focus our energy on improving our environment. When using our egos, we are concerned solely with ourselves; therefore, everyone is viewed as our competitor.
Whether you are a humanitarian or a competitor, one powerful thing about compliments is that we all crave them. Similar to icing on a cake, compliments are a game changer. As human beings, we all have to realize that there are several reasons why we all need each other, and this is one of them. We can give ourselves compliments, but it is not the same as receiving them from an external source. To add, I don’t think Michael Jordan would be the legend we know him as if he didn’t desire the external accolades and praises that validated his efforts and raised his commitment to success. Furthermore, those cheers that we gave him not only brought out the best in MJ but also granted us, the fans, the opportunity to witness extraordinary athleticism. We all benefit from uplifting others; we should remember this when we find our ego telling us otherwise.
As humans, we must understand that we each have the power to unlock special things within people. A compliment should be viewed as the perfect medicine for personal growth and helping to build confidence. Therefore, we each are doctors who can improve and save lives. By Christoff Kyere
