Let’s Change the World Together: Start with a genuine compliment

Everyone enjoys a genuine compliment. For some people, it may just brighten up their day. When I see bus drivers, people who serve me food at the food court, or even the cleaning lady at my apartment, I give them a smile and give them a kind comment. These are people that most of the world view as “less important” than doctors, lawyers, and other professionals. As a result, they are neglected or treated worse or rudely by some people. However, I make it a habit to give them a smile and a complement. A simple “Thank you very much” with a smile, or compliment their nice haircut or good service, will make them smile for the rest of that day.

I make it a habit to help other people. Some people misunderstand me and think I help others so that I can get some advantage. Once my friend just recently moved to a new city and she knew no one there, and when I visited I decided to help her out and introduce some of my contacts to me. When someone heard about that, they asked, “Why are you helping her this much? Is she your girlfriend?” Our culture seems to care a lot about “What’s in it for me if I help you?” I stand for helping others because it’s the right thing to do.

Interestingly, the more I help other people, I find that not only does it brighten up their day, it makes me very happy. It gives my soul a satisfaction I can’t get from anywhere else. Often times, the people I help come back to help me later in life, even when I don’t ask for it. I still remember people who have been kind to me, and to this day I still look for ways to be kind back to them. I treat everybody the same, whether they are the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, or doing a job that society considers “lowly and insignificant”.  If we look carefully, we can always find something to praise another person for. I can talk more about topics of praise in a future post.

When I was 8 years old, I joined Boy Cub Scouts. The Boy Cub Scouts motto I still remember to this day:

“I promise to do my best

To love and serve God

To do my duty to the Queen

To keep the pact of the Wolfcub pack

And to do a good turn for somebody everyday.”

I am only one man, I alone cannot change the world. But we can do it together. Little by little, starting with one kind act a day for another person, let’s make this world a better place to live for all of us.