Confidently Complimenting

"You're beautiful."

These were two words that were said to me in passing when leaving the hospital this morning.

Inspiring. Encouraging. Unexpected- These words describe my reaction.

Some may think that this kind of compliment is nothing special. Why would it be inspiring?  This compliment came from the mouth of a young girl.  A teenager.

I found myself thinking back to when I was that age.  So young.  Inexperienced.  Barely an ounce of confidence within me. Suddenly, it hit me.  This girl has something that I didn't have five years ago.  Five years ago, I searched for someone to give me the confidence that this girl had with in her.  Seeking the approval of my peers, adults, family, it never seemed to be enough to fill that void. I struggled through high school.  I tried to learn, and eventually I did, but I fell down multiple times during the process.

I kept walking, realizing a girl who is full of confidence is rare.  She may be able to put on a mask of confidence while in public, which is something, I will admit, I do quite often. She may run to the approval of others, which I have also been found guilty of doing. But the woman who realizes her worth within herself, without needing to hear it from another person, is truly, and genuinely beautiful.  And furthermore, the woman who can confidently give compliments to other girls is so much more beautiful.  That is the true definition of beauty, confidence, character, and dignity: being able to humble yourself enough to put the attention on someone else.

We live in a world where women are analyzed, looked at, and lusted for.  We live in a world where any characteristic considered a flaw, is pointed out before compliments are considered to be given.  We live in a world where based on where your curves are, you're categorized in one of the three: too skinny, sexy, or fat.  This is a problem.  This problem is so big that public high schools include it in curriculums.  But it still exists.  Girls still feel pressured to work out more, eat way less than what is healthy, or eat more than what is healthy.  And even after giving into all that pressure, the problem still exists.  It's seen everywhere: billboards, newspapers, movies, trailers, the internet, social media, etc.  The list is endless, just like the list of flaws the world labels "bad."  In the world in which we live, the beauty that is seen on the outside is much more important than what is seen within. What if we took a step back for a second, and stopped ourselves from being engulfed in the lies that physical appearance is everything.  It's not.  Every woman in this world is made with beauty.  There is no such thing as flaws in physical appearance.  Flaws are found much deeper underneath the skin- pride, bitterness, jealousy...

So here's a challenge to anyone who may be reading this: think differently.  Lay down your pride, and acknowledge someone for who they are.  Realize that the physical appearance of anyone will someday fade.  It's temporary. Be generous. Be kind.  Be loving.  Be different.  Be beautiful.  Live the life that was intended for you.

The courage to have the confidence to give a compliment can go a long way.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and laughs without fear of the future."  Proverbs 31:25