"I always try to remember to leave everyone with the gift of a compliment."

Jill Siegel 

I always try to remember to leave everyone with the gift of a compliment. Whether it's a simple observation about something they are wearing or have done or something about who they are or how they make me feel, it's easy to do, doesn't cost anything but a bit of time and benefits both parties. I try to make it fun and think of something that is a stretch, that puts me a little out there in my generosity because that's where the reward is.
It actually becomes rewarding and fun to stop and think about what you want to leave the person with and make it good, actually make a difference for them, make them think and remember what you've said. Who knows, once they are empowered, they may be motivated to pass on something kind to someone else.
A friend of mine just sent out a mass email telling people about a new show he Produced and asked us to watch it. There was no call to action for a response to tell him what we thought of the show but I imagined that it deserved at least an email response. So instead of writing it on my iPhone which would make it short and certainly misspelled, I waited until I got home and wrote an email that he could save and share with his production team. I didn't know whether he would, but it was the email I would have wanted someone to invest a few moments in sending if I had just spent months traveling the world producing a television show. I get that a text would have been "fine" but really, this was an opportunity for me to make a difference. He responded that it was the best email he had ever received in his life! I meant every word of it. And, I'm glad that I spent the time writing it. And my reward was his response.
So, that's my lesson and now I'll really need to hold myself to it.
To try and leave everyone I have an interaction with with the gift of a compliment that will make a difference in their day.