I had an experience yesterday that I want to share.
As I walked thru the grocery store late yesterday I saw this couple (of about my age, so not young but defiantly not old!) and I noticed the wife right away because she was wearing this knee length dress in a fun, modern print with a really long sheer vest. She was dressed like I would expect my daughters (aka youngsters) to be dressed. I thought she looked really cute.
So, later, as I was leaving the store she was walking out as well.
I said “Can I just say you look adorable?”
She put her arm around me and said “Can you be my new best-friend? At our age we need to hear this, right?”
I replied, “Yes, ma’am, and we need to support each other.”
She said, “Thank you, that made my day.”
My question to you is this: do you give compliments freely? We “girls” need to support each other. When you know (or see) a friend has lost weight TELL her! Tell her how fantastic she looks. Support her.
ENCOURAGE HER!
After all we not only do these things for ourselves but those around us. We want to be noticed for our efforts. It is so hard to eat right and be healthy and lose that weight. We need patted on the back! Especially by those we love and respect the most.
I am afraid we see HER accomplishment as a failure for ourselves. We didn’t lose weight. We don’t work-out. We don’t eat right. Why should I tell her she looks good when I feel so bad about myself? We all are competitive by nature. Maybe just a little bit but some all the same. We get defensive when we see someone succeeding when we have failed. Sadly, it is human nature.
Let’s fix that nature!
Get over it! News Flash….it’s not all about YOU!! We are here to support each other (male and female alike)! God needs us to be in tune with each other to further His Kingdom. We can’t do that when we are at odds with each other. You say, “I’m not at odds with anyone, just because she lost more weight than me, dresses better than me, eats healthier than me, exercises more than me (or whatever your situation is).”
Really? You may not know you are at odds with her but she does. She is making great effort to better herself and if her “besties” don’t compliment her then who? Some stranger at the grocery store? Well, yes, and sadly it makes her day because she doesn’t get it from her friends.
I have a friend that always encourages me. She tells me I look cute every time see shes me. I won’t lie, it makes me feel good…especially on a day I don’t feel so cute. I have made an effort to do this with my friends. It makes me feel good to hear it so I figure it has to make them feel good as well.
BE AN ENCOURAGER!
It seems depression is having a heyday in our society. Just look at Robin Williams. He was one of the funniest men around! He took his own life because he was depressed. The funniest man alive was DEPRESSED?!?! If that doesn’t open our eyes to our hurting world then I don’t know what will. I am not saying your friend will commit suicide because you didn’t compliment her new outfit or her weight loss. What I am saying is a compliment can go a long way in making someone feel good about things. And you don’t really know how she is feeling deep down inside. She needs that compliment! Trust me on this!
SO BE AN ENCOURAGER!!
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11
We all need Jesus! Man, woman, child! Compliments are not limited to the sisters in your life. We ALL need to hear encouraging words! It’s just we sisters are hardest on each other. Lets start encouraging not discouraging!
Be encouraged,
Sabrina
treasurebeyondmeasure 