When is a compliment not a compliment?

Compliments are not only in verbal form. You also feel complimented by association. For instance, you feel good being part of a certain group or wearing a particular brand of clothing.

Flattery comes in the same way. And as you know, compliments come from the heart but flattery is insincere, tongue-in-cheek, and almost always comes with a hidden motive.

Flattery in verbal form is easy to spot. But what about flattery by association? Have you really thought it through thoroughly about the group or network you associate yourself with? Does it pay you a compliment? Or is it flattery?

Keeping in touch

The summer holiday is almost here. Away we go, to visit the family and spend a bit of time down by the sea. Away from you too, my dearest friend. But I'll keep in touch. I'll send you SMS messages and holiday pictures on my mobile and put some photos up on Facebook too so that you can keep track of all our smiles.

I want to do that because you always keep in touch with me when you are travelling on business or whenever you're away for even just a day or two. That's real cool. Honestly, I have always considered it a compliment. And I'll gladly repay the compliment.

Have a great holiday. And, as always, please stay in touch.

Compliment building blocks

The road to success always seem to be under construction! But with a little help from friends the obstacles can look much smaller and the journey to success will be shorter.

A word of encouragement is like water to the thirsty. "My friend, keep going. You're doing well." Or, "You might want to do this all by yourself but you don't have to feel lonely doing it. I'm just a phone call away."

Add a compliment to the encouragement and you will be adding a building block to success:

Success will suit you well - you deserve it. 

A single rose can be my garden

"A single rose can be my garden... a single friend, my world," said Leo Buscaglia. What a great compliment!

How can one measure the value of friendship? It is not only by deeds or favors that a friend shows his/her true value but also by his or her emotions, the support for your situation or view. And by those little things like an exchange of glances and you immediately know you have the same view; or a smile to confirm what you both think of what someone did or said. Or those unseen things: just being there without having to say anything to all. After all, you are more than the sum of our parts. And a friend is part of the sum of you.

I love you, my friend. You make me smile.

I love you, my friend. You make me smile.

Who matters in your life

There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won't anymore... and who always will. So, don't worry about people from your past, there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future. And on this Christmas day, look around you and you'll find those who care and matter in your life. Count your blessings. Have a very merry Christmas!

The value of a sister or brother

To Realize

The value of a sister or brother
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one.

To realize
The value of ten years
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.

To realize
The value of four years
Ask a graduate.

The greatest compliment you can pay yourself

It's tough out there! People are losing jobs, losing their vehicles, losing their homes. Not just any people, they may be members of your own family or network. The have become victims of circumstances not out of their own doing (but, may God forgive them, the doing of others). Be that as it may, they need help.

You might say, "Heck, if anyone needs help, it is me!" But maybe you have a spare room, extra clothes, a second car, a third TV set, just an old radio. Give it to those who need it. Because nothing lasts forever, not even the bad times, and when they (the bad times) are over those who you shared your extras with will pay back in kind, in wishes or prayers. You might feel that you do not need anything in return but there is one thing that you will have forever: the greatest compliment you can pay yourself.

A friend told me

A friend told me about a text message he received from a friend of ours, basically just paying me a compliment. My friend did not have to tell me but I thought, in a way, by telling me about it was also his way of confirming the compliment. Obviously it made me feel good.

So keep this in mind: if your friend tells you of somebody else saying something nice about you it also is your friend paying you a compliment. And do likewise: when you hear something nice being said about a person and you feel the same, tell that person. It's a double compliment.

Hey bud

Hey bud! I could rant off and tell you you're like my brother and all of that but I'm no good with such emotions. I like sharing a good beer with a good friend, talking cars and ball, and that's all. So, all I wanna say is... man, you're almost half as good as this beer here! This one's on you!