Unfortunately, we as a society do not do enough to show one another that we appreciate them. Most of time, we tend to keep to ourselves, heads down when we pass strangers on the road. We don't stop nearly enough to just appreciate the finer things in life.
As someone who knows just how important uplifting, random compliments are, I've compiled a list of things you can do that will brighten someone's day, even if they live hundreds or thousands of miles away.
Give Compliments
If you're like me, and you have a Tumbler account, chances are you've seen some really impressive art — be it photographs, drawings or prose. It takes a lot for people to put their work out there, and so I make it a point to leave compliments directly on the artists page. Whether anonymous or not, I've never once gotten a rude response. This works on other social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, or even YouTube. I've begun to take on the trait of "serial compliment leaver."
One time, I left a post on YikYak complimenting a girl who had this beautiful red polka dot dress and an amazing retro hair style. She expressed her gratitude and thanked me more than once in the comments.
Ask someone about their day.
While we like to think we are leading a social life on these websites, a lot of us just read each others posts and reblog/retweet/share them. However, we don't actually interact. We sit at our computers deadpanning while typing things like "LMAO." Strike up a conversation about a topic you know they're passionate about. Or just send them really ridiculous memes or cat pictures that you know they'll appreciate.
Send them something that reminded you of them.
I don't care if the song is not my favorite genre. I don't care if the video is 32 minutes long. If someone links me something and tells me that it reminded them of me, I watch it. I get so happy when I know that people think of me on random occasions. I get extra happy if I meet one of your friends and they're like, "Oh! You're Lisa! I've heard about you!"
If I could melt in to a puddle, I would.
Bring them a treat from time to time.
Granted, this one works best if you have regular face to face contact with a person. However, I have gotten some postcards and cookie packages from friends that live on the other side of the ocean before. I know that my roommate has some tough days at work, and even though I can't do anything about it from here, I'm so happy every time I see that one of our friends brought her coffee or food to work without her asking.
With the way the world is right now, we need to remind each other of the good things.
As Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jennifer Lopez say, Love Makes The World Go Round.
