Skip to main content

Mindful Compliments

Exercise for you: once a day, look out for someone close to you - can be a family member, colleague, boss, Facebook friends, relatives or just friends - and give them a Mindful Compliment.

Most people give compliments that are neither mindful nor meaningful.  Many are just flatteries, some are even sarcasms disguised as compliments.  Others compliment just for the sake of it, with no intention or mindfulness behind.

Many people commented that when they give out compliments, the receiving person often block it."Oh, I am not perfect", or "Not really", "Today I am not in top form" or even start analysing the compliment and give their comment or rebuttal of it.

In fact, being given a compliment creates vulnerability.  Some people may become wary of compliments at work, for the compliment from the boss often follows some kind of extra work and stress.  In adolescence, people often get compliments and later were stalked or teased.  Many people are not sure if the compliment was meant sincerely or was designed to make them the butt of a joke.  That's why many people give compliments in a joking manner.  They often don't take compliments seriously and rebut a compliment as if it were a joke in order to protect themselves from potential embarrassment.

Today let's learn how to give out Mindful Compliments - the kind of compliments that do not have any negative connotations or meanings.

Firstly, the compliment has to be specific, not general.

Secondly, it has to be timely and the timing must be right or the result will be hilarious.  Like your compliment of my good looks when I'm in a hurry will make me suspicious instead.

Thirdly, centre the compliment around something that touched you, because this type of compliment promotes a sense of connection and intimacy.  "I was touched by how you took the trouble to take those pictures and share with us.  Thank you. "

Fourthly, compliment things that the person has done, not what he has.  Many people are very uncomfortable about temporary or conditional qualities such as beauty or wealth because they know that such qualities are serendipitous intersections of hereditary and cultural norms.  Besides, such qualities are impermanent and is just a temporary gift.  In time to come people will age and their beauty will fade.  That's why we don't compliment people for their beauty, but for what they have done to make themselves look beautiful.

Fifthly and lastly, compliment by stating your feelings, not your judgement or conclusion.  This is because your judgement or conclusion may not be agreeable, but people can relate to feelings, even if it something they disagree.  Say things like "I feel you look better in here" instead of "You look better in here".  

So bear in mind the above 5 points and give out Mindful Compliments today.  Related articles:

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Kindness as a Way of Life: How Kindness can Reward You 6 Times Over

Kindness as a Way of Life by Andy Ng Kindness is a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries, enriches human connections, and has the power to transform lives. It goes beyond mere acts of charity or random good deeds. To me, kindness, when practiced as a way of life, becomes a profound philosophy that can shape our interactions with others, the world around us, and even our own well-being. In this article, we will explore the multifaceted aspects of kindness as a way of life, touching on non-violent communication, the limitations of traditional charity, the potential harms of helping, the deliberate cultivation of kindness, and the incredible rewards it brings. 1.       Non-Violent Communication Non-violent communication (NVC) is a key component of practicing kindness as a way of life. Developed by Marshall B. Rosenberg, NVC emphasizes empathetic communication that seeks to understand and connect with others on a deeper level. It encourages active listening, empath

New Age Mobile Numerology

Many people look at 'mobile number change luck' with skepticism, they say, how can just one simple mobile number change create so many changes in a person's life?   Also, the mobile numbers are given to us by random by the telcos, how can our fate be assigned by the telcos at random? Besides, isn't it true that our lives and fates are determined by birth and what we do, how can a small mobile number, which is a modern invention, have any effect?  How about people in the past without mobile numbers?  You mean they don't have a life without mobile numbers, right? One more thing: you cannot just change your mobile number and expect your life to change. If this is so, wouldn't everybody be rich just by changing their mobile numbers? Finally, isn't this kind of fortune-telling thing more of psychology and blind faith than science?   If so, how can we trust anything that is not proven and not science? Today let's resolve all these doubts and I welcome your co

If Not You, Who Else?

I learnt this very powerful 5-word phrase from Singapore's highest ever box-office movie ever: "Ah Boys to Men II". In one scene, the recruits were about to start their 3-day field camp.  Their Officer-in-Command asked them, "Before we moved out, anybody not feeling well?"  All the soldiers replied loudly, "No Sir!!!" "Gentlemen", continued the Officer, "Every time the training gets tougher, one thought comes to your mind, 'Why Must I Serve National Service?' "My answer to you is, 'If Not You, Then Who Else?'" Wow!  What a powerful phrase!  If Not You, Who Else may mean: You are the most suitable person, and we can't find anyone better than you.  This is appreciation at the highest level How can you push this responsibility to someone else? I am making a request to you specifically, please don't reject my request Can you find me another person more suitable than you? Please refer me anot