What you say makes a difference

Have you ever had a bad day and then someone says something nice to you and your day turns around? Or maybe you were having a good day and someone said something mean to you and your day went down the tubes? Does what we say to others really matter? As a mom and a wife, I have seen it happen recently within my own family and can tell you it does matter.

My daughter was having a tough time recently adjusting to middle school and didn't  want to be at school one day because she was worried about a class. She wanted to go home before school even started. The principal happened to talk to her in the morning, as she was heading to her first class. She noticed she looked sad and asked her what was wrong. The principal told her not to worry everything would be fine and said would look for my daughter in lunch. Just saying those words made my daughter feel better and she stayed at school that day.

Another example of how words make a difference happened at a doctor's visit. My husband and I were not thrilled with past doctors because we felt like they didn't really care about us and that we were more or less just a number. We visited a new doctor and this doctor told us how she thinks about her patients and really wants to know how they are doing.  These words really resonated with us and made us feel like she really cared about us and our health.

Years ago, I remember going through some tough times. I was at a stop light and a person pulled up alongside my car gave me a compliment. I know a strange place to get a compliment, but I remember what the person said even though I have no recollection of what the person looked like. Those kind words from a stranger made me feel so much better that day and it actually lifted my spirit. Sometimes we are inclined to believe a stranger when they compliment us even more than we would someone we know. I am not sure why, but maybe because we feel sometimes people we know have to be nice to us and a stranger doesn't have to.

When people take an interest in you and give you even a few seconds sometimes those seconds can last with you a whole day.

I enjoy finding the best in people. When I have the chance, I like to give people compliments or words of encouragement. I don't give compliments just to give compliments. I really mean what I say to people. If I feel like there is something I can compliment a person on, I do. It might be the only compliment they get that day. I like encouraging people to be the best they can be. Positive encouragement can go a long way.

I know growing up I was given positive encouragement from my parents and  it made a difference in my life. I really never thought there wasn't something I couldn't do if I put my mind to it.

As you go about your week, try and compliment or say something nice to three people. Think about the positive impact you will be making on others.