I was walking out of the grocery store with Chase in tow, a bag if necessities that I forgot for dinner tonight in my hand. I was explaining to Chase why he couldn’t ride the cart and why he couldn’t climb on things and why he must use walking feet in a store. My little happy feet, my little monkey. How dare I quell his adventurous nature? He was unhappy and letting me know about it.
Walking towards me was a tall late teen/early 20s man/kid. The look on his face said unhappy. He had on shorts and a t-shirt and the most obnoxious pink knee high socks I had ever seen. I don’t know exactly the pattern that was printed on them, but they immediately made me smile. I stopped my lecture to compliment the man/boy on his choice in socks.
“I like your socks!”
A look of shock crossed his face and he smiled. “Thanks!” And then as I was crossing the parking lot to my vehicle I heard him call out, “Hey! You look beautiful today!” I called out my thanks and smiling, headed home to make dinner for my hooligans.
It’s people like this guy that renew my faith in people as a whole.
Maybe he gave no fucks about people’s opinions of him. He wanted to wear those socks. Or maybe it was laundry day and his mom sent him after last minute dinner items. Or maybe that’s the only pair of socks he owns. No matter. I brightened his day by complimenting them, and he brightened mine by returning the compliment. That’s what this world is about. Lets try and make the world brighter for each other. There’s too much fighting, arguing, war, poverty. Lets focus on the good, not the bad. He brightened my day just by existing, and he deserved to know it.
I’m the random compliment giver for this reason. I don’t care if I’ve known you my entire life or we’re just passing each other by in the parking lot of a store. If your hair strikes me as pretty, I’m telling you. If I like your skirt, same goes. If your shirt has a funny slogan or is of a band I like, I’m commenting on it. Everyone deserves to be recognized for their unique taste.
Life is too short to focus on the negative.
So, This is Real Life 