Living in a big, and at times stressful, city like London can make us less receptive to communicating and engaging with others. Add modern technology into the mix, and it’s a wonder we still communicate face to face at all.
Recently I’ve been thinking: Do we compliment each other enough? I don’t think we do. The fact is, it feels good to receive a compliment. Compliments bring positive feelings that come because someone has noticed something about you they thought was praiseworthy. When you receive a great compliment, you feel absolutely incredible – self-doubt just seems to melt away.
Compliments are important components of sociability, but they can also have an amazing impact on someone’s day. Complimenting your wife on how beautiful her dress looks, telling your friend how much you admire him or her, your son or daughter on how proud you are of them, even telling a total stranger that they look great. Try it and see how it feels.
Of course, your compliment isn’t intended to make you feel better; it is supposed to make someone else feel better. However, when you make the people around you happier, you tend to feel better about yourself.
As important as it is that you give compliments, it is also important that you enjoy those you receive. Maybe a loved one is complementing you often, but, for whatever reason, you’re not listening.
Of course, paying people compliments is all about making them feel good, and that’s really what we are in the business of doing. This magazine was put together for one reason and one reason only: to help you become the best version of yourself you can be. We want to make you feel good – not only by guiding you in the direction of self-correction and improvement, but also by pointing out the things you are doing right.
In this issue we profile George Clooney, the dashing Hollywood star who is using his celebrity to help those dramatically less fortunate than himself. I interview the very inspiring Adam Walker, who recently swam the seven seas. It’s also International Literacy Awareness Week this month, so we have Paul Connolly with us to tell us his story about overcoming his illiteracy. We’d like to compliment him for his bravery – taking on the challenges that he has is never easy.
This month, try complimenting people. What do you have to lose? Tweet me and let me know what effect it had on both you and those you complimented. I’m curious. And by the way, I really appreciate you reading my editorial. Thank you.
“If people did not compliment one another there would be little society.” – Luc de Clapiers