Okay, so I am a big fan of Operation Beautiful.
Even though I don’t blog about it, I have left many a sticky note around my city and I have seen the effects other people’s notes have had on people (right Angie???).
I get the idea of an anonymous note left to brighten someone’s day…but while it sends a beautiful message, it seems a little impersonal to me (sorry! Though I HAVE witnessed a few beautiful messages!).
Some people don’t take compliments. Plain and simple. They can look at a sign that says “YOU are beautiful” and think “well, maybe everyone but me”.
I definitely am not saying anything bad about Operation Beautiful…I am just, sort of, encouraging everyone to maybe step it up a notch.
Everybody loves a compliment. Even if they don’t know how to accept one (I am terrible, what do you say??).
But say you are having a bad hair day (which honestly, even if you aren’t a vain person, that can throw your day off!) and you go into the coffee shop and the barista says “Wow, I love your hair”, I wouldn’t believe you if you said you didn’t leave that coffee shop with a little more spring in your step!
I try to make a conscious effort to point out things I like about a person, even if it’s a random strangers, whether it’s their top, their shoes, their smile, their hair, WHATEVER, I like to pay a person a compliment. Not because it makes ME feel better or that I want a compliment in return (which is just awkward right?) but because I know how I feel if someone says something like that to me!
For instance, I was flying to Halifax last week – anyone who knows me in real life or has traveled with me knows how much I DESPISE flying!!! Anyway, I was a little nervous for the flight and we had just taken off. The stewardess came by for drinks and when she stopped at me she said – “I have something really weird to say and I don’t know if you are going to get creeped out by it or not, but I am going to say it” (wow, what a way to start a sentence!! I was a little scared!!!) she followed with “I absolutely love your skin”. It came out of nowhere (and frankly I was feeling a bit rough and dry in the facial area from being on a plane) but it made me get the warm fuzzies. I thanked her for the compliment and when she said “you probably get that all the time” I said “no but thank you” (I have gotten that compliment before, but I don’t think you should ever say that, or act like “I KNOW” about it).
In fact, while I was in Halifax, I went for breakfast with Amy and Lynn to Cora’s. Amy told the waitress that she had gorgeous eyes, and I was a little taken aback when she replied with someone along the lines of “oh yeah, I get that all the time”.
It’s kind of like holding the door for a person, sometimes they will say thank you, other times they will walk on through like it was owed to them…but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. I am not saying that you need to walk around singing about sunshine and rainbows and tell everyone that they are perfect just the way God made them…but maybe a little comment about their killer boots every once in a while might do the trick!!!
****Edit: I am just going to add at the end, that PLEASE know I am not saying ANYTHING bad against Operation Beautiful. I just would like to see some people take the extra step. I am a BIG fan of OB and a huge supporter of it!!!
14 Comments
October 16, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Girl, you have fabulous breasts.
There I said it. Take it and own it.
In all seriousness, this is one of the reasons I love you! So thoughtful. mwah.
October 16, 2009 at 6:17 pm
I agree with Jaime 100%
In fact – there are many pics that shows how much I agree with what she said hehe!
But in all seriousness I LOVE this post – straight from the title!! It is SO true and this is something I SO need to work on. I grew up not giving compliments often because some of the girls I hung out with FED off these compliments.
They would be those ones that say, “do I look fat,” “my hair looks terrible doesn’t it?” when they knew FULL well they were gorgeous!! I say “they” but it was one in particular.
That kind of stuck with me and I found it hard to give compliments – which is terrible since I know how good it feels to get a compliment!
This post is a great reminder for myself and for that I LOVES YA!!
xoxoxo
October 16, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Great post you hot hot sexy woman.
October 16, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I love operation beautiful too, I think it’s a great great thing
I totally agree with you, though. As women, we all NEED to compliment each other MORE and talk bad about each other ALOT LESS!!!
October 16, 2009 at 10:18 pm
You are beautiful!!
I make an effort to tell people, even strangers that they are pretty, or to point of something that I love, because like you, I’ve had comments from time to time and they’ve made my day….
Great Post lovely.
October 17, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Jen, you are absolutely right! People SHOULD start paying more personal compliments to others to their faces too. One of my “new years resolutions” is always to try to start “noticing” things more about people (ie new haircuts etc.). I have never been one to notice new haircuts, new boots, etc., but I am making an effort to try to remember to notice! With that said, sometimes I DO notice things that wouldn’t normally stand out to me. Almost like my spidey senses activate out of no where and I notice and I feel compelled to mention it.
I have ALWAYS said since the very first picture I have ever seen of you that your complexion is angellic and your personality definitely matches
Great post gorgeous!
October 17, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I didn’t even realize this about myself until my now husband pointed it out to me when we first started dating. I’m kind of a constant complimenter. I don’t really give compliments intentionally to reach a certain end… I’m glad that a compliment can lift someone’s day… but it’s just totally naturally to me to say “cute purse” or “wow! you have great lashes!”. I just notice things! Why in the world would you NOT say it out loud, ya know?
Great post!
October 17, 2009 at 3:48 pm
p.s. congratulations on the great breasts
October 17, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Jen, you’re 100% right! While I think Operation Beautiful is great, taking a moment to say a few kind words can really make all the difference in the world.
October 19, 2009 at 12:19 am
Oh Jenn! I’ve sooo missed your posts.
What a nice compliment!!! I’ve never heard of operation beautiful but just looked it up. What a fantastic idea. I don’t think people compliment others enough…especially women. The whole jealousy thing takes over. I’m guilty of not being able to take a compliment and just shy away or change the subject. Next time, I’m going to look them in the eye and say Thank You. That was so nice of you.
Ahhh you’re inspiring Jenn!
October 19, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I’ve never heard of OB, but I have to say I like it, I always make a point of saying something is nice if I think it is, I just know that receiving a random compliment totally makes my day so I think passing that feeling along is the thing to do.
btw – I love your comment about the suitcases on Angie’s blog, LOL too cute!
November 2, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Just found your blog through Last Night’s Leftovers, and I love it! I’m from Manitoba *waves* =)
I think there’s a difference between project beautiful (which is awesome) and what you’re doing, because project beautiful is aimed at people in general so it’s easier for them to blow it off and think “it doesn’t apply to me” where as what you’re doing is personal and direct. Both are great- but yours will (hopefully) have a better chance of going straight to their heart!
November 3, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Huge fan of Operation Beauttiful – anything that helps women feel happier is much needed. Have you checked out the You Are Beautiful project? very cool…
November 3, 2009 at 6:49 pm
I try and make a habit of complimenting one woman every single day – a stranger, the barista at starbucks, a friend. It makes people smile … and makes the compliment-giver feel good, too.