“Throw kindness around like confetti!” I read that quote recently and absolutely loved it. It resonated with how I want to live… how I hope that all of us want to live.
We have used confetti to celebrate at events for years. We’ve used it at banquets and parties. We’ve even used it in simple entryway table decor. But confetti is always used for celebrating.
And confetti can easily be compared to the kind words of compliments. We should celebrate people with the confetti of compliments as often as possible.
Confetti is rarely applauded, but we all notice that something is missing if it’s not there. And the same is true of the words of kindness with which we compliment others.
Here are some other truths about confetti and compliments…
Confetti Is Small
Like confetti, compliments can be a small part of our conversations which are noticed easily when they are present.
Compliments don’t have to be glowing, multi-page statements of a life well-lived like those of a fiftieth wedding anniversary, a retirement party or a eulogy. Compliments can be small, quick, simple statements of kindness and appreciation. They can often be said in one sentence or less.
And since they don’t require that much, why don’t we give plenty of them? It’s so easy to tell someone that they look nice, or that they have done a great job on something. You would think that we would compliment our family members, our friends, our co-workers, etc. more than we do.
Confetti Is Inexpensive
For the effect you get with confetti, it is typically one of the smaller-priced celebratory or decorating items. That’s why there are ticker-tape parades and confetti canons at political conventions.
And compliments also go a long way in our relationships with people, while costing us very little. What does it really cost me to compliment my wife or my kids? What does it really cost me to compliment my pastor after he preaches? Nothing but a few moments of my time, a few watts of brainpower, and a few breaths from my lungs.
That seems like a small price to pay to make someone’s day, doesn’t it? I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever met a person who didn’t appreciate me complimenting them. Pretty good return on the investment.
Confetti Makes A Big Impact
A little confetti can be fancy. A lot can make a memorable moment. Either way, it makes an impact.
Our heart-felt appreciation and verbal applause can make a big difference in someone’s life as well. A small compliment can bring on a, “Hmmm.. thanks!” A big dose of kind words can bring someone to tears of joy.
As most who are reading this probably know, we entered a period of transition in our lives recently as it relates to my work. We’ve served for twelve years in this role and done our best to make a difference in people’s lives.
When we announced the news of transition publicly on social media, there was a tidal wave of kind words with which people bowled us over. Stories from parents, and students and other leaders began to be shared with us. Compliments came like confetti from a cannon in an arena. Most weren’t lengthy. Most didn’t take long to type or speak. But each one that landed me or around me touched my heart.
Why Not More?
So, why don’t we compliment more? Compliments are small, inexpensive and make a huge impact.
What if we each found three to five people today and took time to notice them, express appreciation to them, let them know how valuable they are? Who knows what kind of change we could bring to their day?
And my guess is that, once we see how much people appreciate being appreciated, we will want to find some more tomorrow to compliment. And when the chain-reaction of complimenting begins, it will look like a ticker-tape parade at New Year’s in our lives!
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