Hey there, Beautiful!
A few weeks ago, I was walking through the Nashville airport, navigating the usual chaos of rolling suitcases, long lines, and the hurried energy of people trying to get to their destinations. These days, travel feels stressful. You can see the tension on people’s faces—walking with eyes down, minds occupied, focused on getting from Gate A to Gate E on time.
I was also stressed and disappointed by the 7-hour flight delay I had just received notification about.
In the middle of the hustle, I noticed a young man standing near the bathrooms. He looked to be my son’s age— in his early twenties. He didn’t appear to be in the same rush as many others. He also wasn’t glued to his phone. Instead, he was doing something unexpected: He was complimenting strangers as they walked by.
“Love the cowboy hat, man!” he called out to one traveler.
“Your dress is so pretty,” he said warmly to a little girl in a princess outfit.
“Dude, your haircut is dope,” he grinned at another and gave him a thumbs-up.
“Hey there, beautiful!” he commented to an elderly woman shuffling by with a walker.
I paused to observe as each person took a moment to register what had just happened. There was a noticeable moment of surprise—was that guy talking to me? When they realized he was, their faces softened, their eyes lit up, and they couldn’t help but smile back. Some laughed, others nodded a quick thanks, but all of them—without fail—seemed to walk away a little lighter than before.
It was a simple thing, just a few words. But it mattered. I mean, don’t we all appreciate a little validation every once in a while? An occasional reminder that someone sees us.
What’s interesting is that there’s real science to explain why compliments make such an impact on us. When we receive a genuine compliment, our brain releases dopamine and serotonin, those same "feel-good" chemicals responsible for boosting our mood and reducing stress. A kind word can literally shift someone’s emotional state in an instant.
But here’s the best part: giving a compliment benefits you just as much as the person receiving it. Studies show that expressing kindness and gratitude activates the reward center in our brain, increasing our own happiness and strengthening social bonds with others, even total strangers. Compliments create a positive feedback loop: the more you give, the more you feel connected, and the more joy you experience yourself.
It’s that simple.
But not all compliments are created equal. The best ones are:
Authentic: People can sense when a compliment is genuine versus when it’s forced. Speak from your heart.
Specific: Instead of a generic “Nice job,” try “I love how creative your thinking was in our team meeting today.”
Unsolicited: Unexpected compliments have the biggest impact because they catch people off guard… in the very best way!
Watching that young man in the airport made me think: How often do we keep our kind thoughts to ourselves? We notice when someone has a great haircut, an impressive skill, or a standout outfit, but how often do we say something?
I decided to experiment with this myself, right then and there in the Nashville airport. The next person walking by me was a tall man wearing a sharp, tailored suit— and Ugg slippers. I paused and turned to him, “Now that’s the way to travel! I love that you’re wearing Ugg slippers with your suit!” He stopped, totally taken aback by my comment, then smiled and said naturally, “There’s no other way to travel than in comfort!” And then we both carried on.
It was easy. So, I tried it again.
This time, it was with the TSA worker. I commented on her unique fingernails, each decorated with pastel Easter eggs. She immediately high-fived me! I kept this little experiment going for the next half hour— and with every comment, I felt myself getting happier, less stressed, and more confident to keep it going.
Imagine the impact if, just once a day, we all chose to share our kind, unsolicited compliments out loud.
So, here’s my challenge to you: For the next week, practice giving one authentic compliment a day. It could be to a colleague, a barista, a friend, or even a complete stranger. Pay attention to their reaction—and notice how it makes you feel, too.
Hey there, beautiful! Let’s start a ripple effect of kindness together.
This Month’s Resources & Cool Ideas
Giving the “Right” Compliment
Ever wonder how people will receive compliments and kind words from you— especially the people you work with every day? You might want to read “The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace” by Gary Chapman. This is a newer take on his old book which focused on marriage and is called The 5 Love Languages. The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace teaches you how people like to receive and give appreciation. Bring on the compliments!
Looking for More Happiness in Your Life?
Read Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project. One day, Rubin realized, "Time is passing, and I'm not focusing enough on the things that really matter." In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year of her life to creating her happiness project. The book will share tons of ways to eliminate the things that don’t bring you happiness, and attract the things that do.
Drop Some Kindness in the Mail
Make it easy to share compliments by purchasing these Kindness Cards. Each box includes 60 encouraging notes— great for kids’ lunchboxes, to surprise your work colleagues, or to give to anyone with whom you want to share some positive vibes!
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