A Compliment That Transformed My Day
One recent Tuesday morning, I had just finished an intense workout at the gym. I was glistening, my muscles were tired, but I felt accomplished despite my cute color-coordinated workout outfit. If you listened to my podcast about the sneakers, you know what I’m talking about. Complete with matching sneakers, it was clear that I needed to change clothes before heading into the office. The fresh outfit—white jeans, hot pink and cream top, and gold sandals—made me feel put together and confident. Workout complete? Check. Presentable? Check. I was on a roll.
So for lunch that day, I decided to go to a local restaurant. As I walked in, the girl at the counter, no doubt noticing the bright pink pop, greeted me with a warm smile and a heartfelt “Hello, beautiful.” It wasn’t just a casual greeting but a genuine acknowledgment of my presence and appearance. The guys sitting at the table nearby turned to see who she was talking to. It was a whole moment—you had to be there. I couldn’t help but blush as I replied, “Yes, I am!” We both laughed, and I took a moment to express my gratitude for her kind words.
At that moment, I was transported back to another memorable compliment I had received. It was simply “Wow” when entering an office meeting. Apparently, that day I had big city vibes in a decidedly non-city atmosphere. I liked this positive attention and thought to myself, “I need to dress this way more often.” Then I immediately returned to the present moment and said, “Thank you so much for noticing. Your words instantly made me glad I took the time to change this afternoon.” The girl’s face lit up with a genuine smile as she replied, “Oh, I’m so happy I could make your day brighter.” The guys sitting nearby just looked at us, wondering what was happening. But we shared this knowing look, a brief yet meaningful connection that transcended the usual employee-customer interaction.
The Lasting Impact of Kind Words
It was truly remarkable how a simple act of appreciation could hold such transformative power. And in that moment at the restaurant, I felt not just seen, but truly acknowledged and valued. Those few words from a stranger provided a much-needed boost and a reminder of my worth and the importance of self-care. It’s moments like these that inspire me to share this message with you—to encourage you to embrace the power of appreciation in your own lives.
These experiences remind me of a time when I was just starting out. I was going through a particularly tough challenge in my personal life, and I guess my outward appearance showed it. I’ve never been good at hiding my feelings. I don’t mind telling you that I felt lost, overwhelmed, and unsure of my next steps during this time. One day, a colleague took me aside and expressed appreciation for my work and my strengths. She knew what I’d been going through. She had a daughter a few years younger than me and gave me advice that I needed to hear in that moment to move forward. Her words were a lifeline to me. They gave me the courage to keep going, to have faith in my abilities, and to trust that I would make it through to the other side. Essentially, it was to act as my future self and not remain stuck in the present.
Building Resilience Through Appreciation
That experience shaped me and made me realize the profound impact a simple act of kindness can have on someone’s life. You know how I always like to return to wellbeing and resilience. One key component of resilience is having a solid support network and a sense of connection to others. When we cultivate a culture of appreciation and gratitude, we foster deeper, more meaningful relationships that can be a source of strength and encouragement during difficult times.
Think about when you were going through a rough patch. Chances are the support and belief of those around you played a big role in helping you persevere and overcome that challenge. By actively appreciating others and acknowledging their impact on our lives, we invest in the relationships that can help us weather the storms. I’m still friends with that colleague 30 years later.
I talked about this in previous episodes, but it bears repeating: an essential aspect of building resilience is maintaining a positive self-image and surrounding ourselves with environments that inspire and motivate us. Last summer, I did an episode on cleaning out my closet and office drawers. I only kept clothing items that sparked joy and made me feel confident. It was right after that “Wow” moment in the office. I only kept items that reminded me of where I was going, not where I had been. For years, I had been holding on to old trashy stuff—bibs, postcards, lists—as if I was going back into the garbage business. This exercise to move on to my next phase was powerful. Letting go of things that no longer served me felt like a weight lifting off my shoulders. Surrounding myself with items I loved profoundly affected my self-image and overall outlook. It reminded me of our power to curate our environment and, in turn, shape our mindset.
Embrace the Power of Appreciation
I wonder, have you observed how your posture and attitude shift depending on what you wear or your environment? In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to overlook self-care and allow our surroundings to become chaotic. However, I’ve come to understand that by consciously striving to present our best selves and maintain our environment, we can establish a sense of stability and confidence. It’s a way of asserting control over what we can and sending a message to ourselves and others that we are deserving of respect, success, and wellbeing in our ongoing journey of personal development.
So my challenge to you today is this: take a moment to reflect on the last time someone’s heartfelt compliment lifted your spirits. How did it make you feel? How might you pay that feeling forward and brighten someone else’s day with a kind word? While you’re at it, consider taking some time to clean out your closet and update your environment. Surround yourself with things that inspire and motivate you.
If you’re inclined, send me a message, or better yet, text or email me a photo and let me know how you felt after going through the process. My Instagram handle is @truebasishealth. Imagine what the world would be like if we all took a little more time to appreciate each other, invest in our self-image, and show up authentically. Our days would be filled with laughter, connection, and resilience. We’d feel seen, valued, and empowered to face whatever comes our way.
And with that, I’ll say goodbye, beautiful.
