Do you like compliments? Do you give compliments? I’m over 60, but a real compliment still makes me perk up and smile wide, especially when a published writer tells me I have written something well. One of these days, if I stick to it, I’ll be able to say I am published too. I keep hearing it just takes grit and to never give up trying.
As an employee, in the day, it was always easier to do a good job when a manager gave me audible credit for doing so. I think all humans like praise. As a quilting teacher, I know my students try harder when I compliment their work. If you don’t know, lining up all those points in a quilt is the goal of any quilt maker and it takes accurate cutting, sewing and some practice to make it happen effortlessly.
My favorite pass-times are writing, quilting and cooking. Writing is the area I have the least experience in so the compliments mean more. Quilting I can just about do in my sleep, but a compliment still goes a long way. When my grandson was an infant I started inviting his parents for Sunday dinner. On one occasion his father said, “The best thing about having this baby is coming here for dinner.” Now, I would call that an off-handed compliment, but it’s one that resonates regularly.
When I think about how much I like compliments, it makes me remember to give them freely. A simple “well done”, or “good job” can inspire any age person to keep working with a good attitude. Or it can improve production and/or mental health. Go ahead, make someone’s day with a nice compliment or pat on the back.
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01/24/2018 at 07:51
I envy those of you who can quilt. My mother quilts and I always have admired her work. I also love and cherish all the quilts she has made me and my daughters. She always tells me that I could do it too, but I tell her I need to invest in a sewing machine first!
I couldn’t agree more with you on how much a simple compliment brightens my day. Therefore, I try to keep that in mind when I’m around others and also give another a genuine compliment too when I see it fit. Yesterday, I took my daughter to story time and someone complimented my daughters big baby blues and then saw my eyes and said WOW, I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I had gone to the the library in kind of a blah mood and left with a little more pep in my step!
You just never know how one little compliment can change a persons mood or entire day for the better.
Keep on writing! I enjoy reading your posts.
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01/24/2018 at 14:40
Thanks for stopping by. I left you a message on your blog for today.
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02/01/2018 at 20:25
A lovely post Susan with such a beautiful message. We all do better when we are praised however I also think that these days we are expected to praise everything, not just good work. An important part of growing up is to learn and if we are constantly told how fantastic it is I think it takes away the incentive to improve simply because we don’t know we need to. Children coming from this environment entering the real world then get a rude awakening in their work place or university and don’t know how to deal with the criticism as they have never before had it. Over praise also to my mind devalues praise and I know myself that I start to question whether my work is good or just being praised to get better productivity. A fine line between the two and definitely more praise is better than no praise. The unexpected praise such as your grandson’s father gave you is the best kind of praise you can get. Unexpected and meant. Sorry if my reply sounds negative – it is not meant to be – just my thoughts and I thank you for giving me cause to think.
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02/02/2018 at 15:32
Thank you Irene. I agree, too much praise takes away it’s value, but I do still crave it as a small child would. Some parts of us grow up faster than others.
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