Have you ever noticed what happens

when you say something nice to someone

~ “That’s a nice shirt,” “You did a

great job,” ~ it’s like pouring water on

a wilted plant! No matter what is going on,

immediately the recipient perks up: their face glows, a smile

appears and they look like the weight of the world is off their

shoulders, if only for a moment.

The other day, I was walking back to work with my head

down, brooding over my own misery, and I ran smack

into a tiny old man coming out of a store and knocked

him down, I was so embarrassed I could hardly speak.

He picked himself up, smiled at me, and said, “Thank

you, young lady, that’s more excitement than I’ve had in

months!” It was so unexpected, I burst out laughing,

and he smiled again. As he was walking away, he

turned back to me and said, “You have a very beautiful

laugh, use it often.” It was the most wonderful thing

anyone has ever said to me. Kindness, not anger… wow.

Kind words in the form of appreciation, praise and admiration

are the cheapest gifts you can give … and

chances are the more you offer compliments and praise

… the more it comes back to you as well.

So don’t be stingy with thoughtful words. A steady

stream of genuine gratitude and appreciation goes a

long way toward keeping our lives moist with delight,

warm with laughter, and filled with more love. Peace!