I began much of my assignment by first trying to reflect diligently at how little I compliment people in the long run. I realized with as much few people give me compliments or those around me that do so to others around me as well, I never have really noticed the effect it could have on other people. I decided to heed to the challenge given and thoroughly consider not only some physically complimenting compliments, but also compliments implied to flatter or compliment the person’s personality.
I started paying attention to things I liked about people right from the off. Things I may or may not have noticed about them before, and just say it to them. I wanted to be sure that I would compliment honestly and not heartlessly. Otherwise, I’d feel it would feel too fake of a compliment and not even accomplish its purpose to help the person feel better with a dishonest compliment.
I started with a couple of my roommates, Q Erhard and Trevor Clayton. They have become my best friends here at school and two of the best roommates I could have asked for. They help me a lot with general moral support, great laughs and adventures, and so forth. I wanted to be able to give them a non-cliché and genuine compliment that they deserve.
I approached Q the other day and with as positively optimistic and happy that he always is, I complimented him in his character saying something to the effect that he was a very pleasant company to be around and a very tender friend to keep close to the heart. He’s one of the ones I mentioned earlier to compliment so many people and flatter them. He was almost taken aback. He paused, withdrew his head almost in a whip-lash formation, blinked and smiled and replied, “Why, thank you! You are too, my friend. Respect!” and fist bumped my fist with a hug.
Later on, I can’t remember if it was the same day or when (I can’t remember because I got in the habit of starting to compliment many people. I’m really enjoying it!) I approached Trevor Clayton, my other roommate and in the middle of a conversation that was somewhat very serious, I complimented him in reply to his usual compliment he gives to me, “You’re a good man, [Trevor].” and, “You’re a great friend to count on and you’ll make an excellent missionary.” Trevor is a bit more calm in his actions of response. He humbly smiled and nodded and thanked me and returned the compliment of my being a good man and added I’d make a special woman very happy some day.
The compliment given to a stranger I somewhat already had been acquainted with on a known-name basis, however very few exchanges of words in a real conversation have been given. Her name is Sarah Vance, and she’s a new roommate of a friend of ours to which I visit on many occasions and though I don’t find her extremely attractive to my taste, on a certain day she came out and she did something so that her eyes really stood out and looked very beautiful. I instantly knew that it was something I liked and should compliment, so I did. I told her that her eyes looked very pretty tonight. She simply smiled and said thank you.
I believe that the power of complimenting is pretty powerful, though still very small and subtle. I believe that if continued and maintained earnestly through real, genuine, heartfelt-feeling put into the honesty given through the complimenting, I could see a lot more happier people around me and the environment I live in. I’m sure people will come to compliment each other much more and peoples’ general performance and expectations will both raise and continue to improve. Even the power of a simple smile here and there can make all the difference in someone’s life all in just a split second in a day and that at the right moment can make the world change. It’s happened to me before. Why can’t or shouldn’t I try to do it for someone else? I can. I will.
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