Never Keep a Nice Thought to Yourself
Usually, the only harm that could exist is staying silent.
By Rachael Dionisio
This is your public service announcement: never withhold a kind thought, especially about strangers. The truth is, as cliché as it sounds, you never know the impact words could have on someone. You never know how much a stranger might be struggling behind a smile. Even when it seems daunting, practicing giving compliments will ultimately make the world a kinder place. There is absolutely no downside to radiating genuine kindness.
To succeed at this practice, you must be okay with the risk of embarrassing yourself. You must find comfort in potentially being perceived as weird or too forward. Recently, I encountered a girl inside Life Alive Cafe working while sipping a hot beverage. I noticed her laptop case, which was adorned with a collage of multiple fabrics, patterns, and colors, clearly handmade. I couldn’t help but approach her and ask about the details that went into creating the collage. As her face lit up, she proceeded to tell me all about the levels of love and precision that went into it. She explained it was a passion project, and I told her I was inspired to create something similar.
What transpired here? I affirmed her project, told her that her passion had the power to inspire, and hopefully motivated her to continue collaging. This minor exchange blossomed into a cycle of positivity. We tend to naturally refrain from speaking up, even if the thought is kind. We choose to stay silent because we don’t want to potentially disrupt someone’s day. We fear engaging with people we don’t know on the street, and of course, there are times when this fear is justified. Sometimes, we just don’t know how a comment will be interpreted or if the person will be receptive to a compliment from a stranger. However, nine times out of ten, when the engagement is positive and personal, there is no harm in entertaining it. Usually, the only harm that could exist is staying silent.
There is too much negativity in the world, so if we can create a moment that a stranger will never forget or even change their life, why wouldn’t we?