Day Two- Word Gifts

Now that we are paying closer attention to the words we are speaking and the words we are thinking, let's share kind words with others. 

One of the guilty pleasures about this challenge is every time you do something for someone else, you instantly get a dopamine hit.  Could that be the reason I keep doing this?  Maybe.  Could that be the reason I try to be kind on a regular basis?  Also maybe.  But I do feel almost guilty realizing that if I just say a few words, I will be granted a smile. 99% of the time... there's always going to be that one person that refuses to participate with the laws of nature.

Today, I am speaking of compliments.  Not the skeezy ones that make everyone cringe.  (Are you an angel? Because it looks like you just dropped down from heaven... Blech). 
I'm referring to sincere compliments.  Not because you'll get free coffee or a discount.  The payoff here... is the smile.   Or even that pause, as they question if you're serious or not... were you even talking to them?  

This day has a two-fold purpose.  You are wanting to take the time to force yourself to look outward.  We are so busy trying to make ourselves look and act and dress a certain way and then the rest of the world comes along with hints (from every direction) that we might not have gotten in right.  Let that go.  Look outward.  Find the beauty in others... and then... tell them.

Sincerely.
"I love that dress on you."  "That color brings out your eyes."  "You have such a nice smile."  "I like the way you did your hair."  "Your service has been amazing."  "Thank you for taking such good care of me."  "You obviously have a heart for what you do."  "I love seeing people who really know their job."  "You are a great leader."  "You are a great colorer."  "You are a great friend."  "You have a natural skill to _________."
"I am so impressed with your talent to ________." "You look beautiful today." 

It might feel a little uncomfortable at first.  And they might even look at you like you have two heads, and they're wondering what you "really" want.  But then... the pay-off.  The smile.   
Sometimes they can't help themselves.  They smile big, basking in the glow of being "seen".  Others will try to hide it, being perhaps a little embarrassed that someone noticed.  Others will pretend that it didn't phase them, but they will hold their head up just a little higher.  They might notice themselves, the "thing" you complimented them on and see for themselves if it does bring out their eyes, or whatnot. And... your words.  Your kind, complimentary words, will stay with them.  And they have the power to bless them again and again. 

Not a bad pay-off, right?  You can see how it can become a little addicting, right?  My own little dopamine-making machine!

Today's suggestion:  12.  A cool dozen.  Go out and tell twelve people something wonderful about themselves.  Go ahead and practice on your inner circle.  (Bonus challenge: 12 from your people and then 12 people you don't know!). And then take your kindness out into the world.  Random strangers! 

You will get that double hit, I promise you.  They are blessed and it bounces back to you.  Guilty pleasures... 

I'd love to hear how your day went!  How did your children's, spouses, friends, waiters/waitresses, elevator-passenger, grocery clerk, customer, client, guy at the park, girl at the next table... respond? 

Happy Day Two friends! 

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