Random acts of appreciation

When my tenth-grade English teacher took maternity leave midway through the school year, she was replaced with an eager, fresh-out-of-college sub named Miss Cizek, whom I think of as Stephanie now, having virtually caught up with her in age.

Miss Cizek bore a striking resemblance to movie actress Juliet Prowse, so we boys naturally hung on her every word, typically to the point of forgetting to swallow.

As it turned out, listening closely to young Stephanie Cizek wound up having a life-altering effect on me. Because, out of the clear blue sky one morning, she launched into an aside containing possibly the most profound advice I've ever received from a teacher or anyone.

She said we should never fail to compliment people to their faces whenever we notice something admirable about them. Strangers included. "Don't be afraid to speak up," she said. "You could make a huge difference in how that person is feeling right then. And they'll never know you're thinking something good about them unless you tell them."

(This, from a 22-year-old.)

I've never forgotten Miss Cizek's words, and have put them into practice countless times—frequently receiving in return the rich reward of a startled expression of acute gratitude from the recipient of one of my impromptu compliments.

Beyond the warm-and-fuzzy feeling that comes from making a fellow human being feel good about herself or himself, I've benefited from Miss Cizek's advice from a sharpened awareness occasioned by dozens of years of simply paying a little more attention to others.

So, if you're not already incorporating random acts of verbal appreciation into your daily routine, I urgently recommend getting in on the program immediately. Start startling others—with compliments—today.

And now to give credit where due: This post was inspired by Three Cheers for Compliments, posted yesterday at a lovely blog I follow called "Finding Happy." Check it out by clicking here.

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