“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” (Proverbs 12:25 NIV)
Years ago, I shared a true story about a middle school student named Miriam. If you remember, I came to know her when I gave substituting a try in hopes of being a role model in an educational facility where there were not but a couple of male teachers. What I noticed about Miriam, as you might recall, was that when she passed an adult staff member; an administrator, an office manager, a teacher, a cafeteria worker, or a volunteer, she would always say something complimentary. She found something positive to compliment every adult. As she passed every teacher that was lined up by the buses at the end of the day, one compliment after another flowed from her mouth. “I like your tie!” “I like your scarf!” “I like your shoes!” “I like your gloves!” “ I like your hair!” Obviously, the latter was not for me! (Smile!) If there were 20 staff members outside to supervise the loading of the buses, Miriam would offer 20 compliments! Nobody was left out!
While doing some grocery shopping recently, I ran into Miriam. She is a high school student now. After greeting me with a smile, she says, “Mr. King! I like your glasses!” She follows that up with comments about how she missed me being a substitute in the school system. She says, “I liked how you made us work the whole day.” Miriam is older, but her practice of finding something good to say, coming up with a self-esteem building compliment, has not changed. Miriam is still Miriam. Her positive attribute of complimenting others as opposed to criticizing others or putting people down to elevate herself has prevailed over the years.
So, as I encouraged you several years ago to emulate Miriam’s example, I encourage you once again to follow her lead. Find something positive to say about everyone you greet today! Be complimentary! You will make someone feel very good! Yes, be sincere! Be real! Don’t make up a compliment and don’t be tempted to follow up your compliment with the word “but” and a series of negative observations. No! Please do not do such a thing! I know it is Saturday, but you will still interact with someone in your home, on the phone, on the internet, at the store, or even at a church meeting. Be complimentary and… Be blessed!
“And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!” (Proverbs 15:23b Amplified Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King