Unexpected Compliments

What a fun day I had recently. Freelancing means I wear many hats. It’s great fun but there is that special moment when all things come together and align just right, and viola!  It’s a super great feeling. That happened recently as I launched a new website for a client reinventing his career direction in the field of executive education. But then, something weird happened.

Naturally, when you see your own images on new sites, it’s super cool. Yeah, there are a few changes and corrections but overall, it’s a pretty smooth experience. Often, I do this remotely and today I was enjoying doing this in a local restaurant.

Happily sipping on my lemonade, I’m in a booth tinkering on the website when a petite, older woman quietly walks up to the table, leans in close while pointing at me and proceeds to tell my companion how beautiful I am. Holy cow, batman!  

She flashed a huge smile in my direction as she left. No pretense, no ulterior motive, only a simple and sweet gesture. I blushed a bit smiling back as I thanked her for her lovely compliment. Ordinarily I’d chalk this up to a once-in-a-lifetime experience, except it’s has happened to me two other times over the past year. Hmmm.

When we feel comfortable in our own skin we have the courage to express ourselves to one another without concern to political correctness and/or embarrassment. Clearly, the two of us have seen more than a few sunrises so this was especially sweet. Just when it seems your aging out of your prime, an unexpected experience brings you a little moment of joy right out of the blue. 

Be brave. Do something out of your comfort zone. You need no permission and it just may brighten someone’s day.