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Life

The Power of Your Words

March 21, 2017 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 19 comments
The Power of Your Words

“You are beautiful, kind, patient and creative.”

A coworker popped into my office one day to tell me this, then walked out the door. Another coworker was sitting with me and she said, “I used to think that was weird, but now I don’t.”

And I did too. I mean, let’s face it, how often does someone go out of their way to compliment another person?

How many times do you go out of your way to compliment someone?

I thought about this all day… and I was thinking about writing this blog post to put up this week…

And then it came up again that evening.

I’ve been attending a church group that’s going through a program to help women strengthen their leadership skills. That evening the topic was communication. We talked about how we can use our words to hurt others, but we can also use them to lift someone up.

At the beginning of the night, two women complimented one of the leaders and you could tell it made her evening. As we went through our discussion questions later, another woman said, “We don’t always tell people that we appreciate them enough and sometimes when someone compliments you, it comes right at the time you need to hear it. You never know when you might say something that someone else needs to hear. So why don’t we do that more?”

My coworker regularly goes out of her way to compliment everyone she works with–that’s why it’s no longer weird to us to hear it. But it doesn’t diminish the fact it always puts a smile on my face; it always gives me a little boost of self-confidence.

On that particular day I was pretty down on myself creatively. I was focused on how much I felt like I was failing as a creative. I hadn’t written enough, the words weren’t flowing freely enough, my writing wasn’t good enough… Am I really creative just because I say I’m creative? To have someone else tell me I’m creative gave me a little boost. (And this weekend I actually worked out a solution to one of the issues that was slowing me down in a story! 👊🏼)

Our words have power. They have the power to tear someone down, but they also have the power to build someone up. They have the power to give them a boost of confidence in different parts of their life.

My challenge to you (and to me!) is to compliment someone this. It might just be the boost they need.

Tell me about a time someone complimented you when you needed to hear it!

[Tweet “Our words have power… to tear someone down OR to build someone up.”]

[Tweet “Find an opportunity to compliment someone this week… it might be the boost they need!”]

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Our words have power... they have the power to tear someone down OR to build someone up. // dreams-etc.com

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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19 comments

  1. Miranda @ My Restless Soul says:
    March 21, 2017 at 9:49 am

    We live in a world where words are typically used to tear people down, so you couldn’t be more spot-on with this…it’s so important to use words to build people up! I’ve been going through a really self-conscious phase recently, and one of my co-workers told me the other day that I always look really nice and put together. I wasn’t expecting it, and it certainly lightened my mood and helped me to be a bit nicer to myself. Wonderful post!

    Reply
  2. Jenny says:
    March 21, 2017 at 10:45 am

    Yes, this is so important! A few kind words can totally turn someones day around.

    Reply
  3. Laina Turner says:
    March 21, 2017 at 11:50 am

    Kindness can go a long way. Especially when there is nothing in it for you. You never know how you can make a difference in someone’s day.

    Reply
  4. Chelsea Jacobs says:
    March 21, 2017 at 12:50 pm

    So much yes. Such an easy thing can go such a long way!

    Reply
  5. Mistle says:
    March 21, 2017 at 12:55 pm

    Sometimes it’s hard for us to accept compliments because it’s not something most people go out of their way to do. However; it can make your day so much better! I try to compliment people when I can because it really can improve their day.

    Reply
  6. Ohbeehave says:
    March 21, 2017 at 4:41 pm

    What a great idea! It’s amazing how just 1 compliment can really make your day. I will need to make this my mission for the week…! 🙂

    Reply
  7. Charlotte says:
    March 21, 2017 at 7:22 pm

    Aww what a lovely idea this is <3 you're so right–it's often the smallest gestures that leave the biggest impact. I've tried to do this a bit more lately after seeing how much a server's face brightened when I complimented her earrings recently. We should all spread a little kindness <3 and I love that your coworker makes it a point to leave little compliments.

    Xoxo and thanks for sharing, Crystal!

    Reply
  8. Beth_Daily_Dog_Tag says:
    March 21, 2017 at 7:31 pm

    I am very sensitive to words — both negative and positive, so I try very hard to be positive in my interactions with others. I used to write notes to people I admire and I know that several of them were really surprised and appreciated the effort.

    Reply
  9. TexErin says:
    March 22, 2017 at 4:21 am

    Not only do we hear the negative more than the positive, but we believe it too. Imagine a world where we spoke about the positive more than the negative, and we actually believed the positive things we hear about ourselves more than the negative. How great would that be?!

    Reply
  10. Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird says:
    March 22, 2017 at 9:09 am

    I’m just hitting one year at my job and it is amazing the difference in the environment. My last job was very stressful, mostly because the people that worked there were incredibly negative and constantly putting each other down. At my new job? Compliments all the times. And hugs. HUGS. And the weird thing is that the job I have now actually should be more stressful than the last one but because of the people I work with, it works out.

    Being kind, and positive, and helping others should be what it’s all about. I’ve been trying to take care to do that, especially in my job where both coworkers and clients can be stressed out.

    Tweeted your post!

    Reply
  11. IG:Suetanyamchorgh says:
    March 22, 2017 at 10:58 am

    I love your blog. Great post.

    Reply
  12. Messy Cutting Board says:
    March 22, 2017 at 11:01 am

    Great post!! I tell my daughter that everyday and every night before bed I tell her she is beautiful, kind, and intelligent. I know they say sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me, but I find that to be a lie sometimes words cut deeper than knifes. We all need to bring each other up and compliment each other when ever we can! Again great post!!

    Reply
  13. Malissa @ QuotationRe:Marks says:
    March 22, 2017 at 8:42 pm

    I love this post so much! I actually wrote a blog post about this topic recently, too – because unfortunately we experience and hold on to the ‘tearing down’ words more. But if we make a conscious effort to compliment and lift each other up, like your coworker, we can help to be the change! 🙂 Awesome job – keep up the great work!
    -MG https://malissagreenwood.com

    Reply
  14. Betsy Glenn says:
    March 22, 2017 at 9:55 pm

    I’ve been trying really hard to do this type of thing especially at work. Sometimes everyone is so focused on their work that they sort of miss and don’t acknowledge what everyone does. It’s amazing what one little comment can do!

    Reply
  15. Kaity Bee says:
    March 22, 2017 at 11:20 pm

    Love this 🙂

    Also totally in love with the fact that your Church group is supporting women building leadership skills!

    Reply
  16. Andrea Warren says:
    March 23, 2017 at 9:25 am

    I am in a small group at church and we were just having this discussion. Words positive or negative can really change our day. We started a game where we would make sure to compliment at least 5 random people a day. Love having a positive impact on people

    Reply
  17. Michaela Ammirato says:
    March 24, 2017 at 9:47 am

    I always accept compliment S really awkwardly. Especially when they come to my looks since I have a pretty low self esteem. However, I’m always quick to say thank you because it was unexpected and put a smile on my face 🙂

    Reply
  18. San says:
    April 3, 2017 at 11:43 am

    I love this! It’s really not that hard to be kind to other people (especially other women!) and a connection is instantly made if we’re kind with each other. Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
  19. Kayla says:
    June 6, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    Oh my gosh, this is oh so true! Over the past couple of months I’ve been really trying to improve and give more compliments. It does feel weird and it doesn’t seem like people care one way or the other what I think, but I do it anyway. Great post!

    Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

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