16 Reasons Why

Do you remember when you first fell in love how you couldn’t stop thinking, dreaming, and talking about the other person? Do you still feel the same way? Have you ever stopped to analyze why you love your spouse or that certain special person in your life? What is it that drew you to that particular person over another? Initially it may be their physical appearance that attracts you. But if the relationship is to be more than simple chemistry, there needs to be more than that. I admit initially I was drawn by Mick’s brown eyes. But obviously there … Continue reading

The Thorny Problem of Compliments

Compliments can be tricky – tricky to give and to receive. The Bible warns us against people who flatter others ‘for the sake of gaining an advantage’ Jude 16. We are told in Proverbs 26:28 ‘a lying tongue hates those it crushes and a flattering mouth works ruin.’ So if we plan on complimenting someone, our words must not be insincere flattery but must be heartfelt. In Proverbs 28:23 we learn ‘He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.’ That is because flattery often has a false ring to it. Proverbs … Continue reading

Do You Need to Hear Compliments?

I tend to subscribe to the “no news is good news” club—I do not necessarily need to hear positive feedback and compliments, but I would rather not hear complaints and negative feedback. In our small home businesses, we may not be getting the compliments that we might be used to in the more traditional work environment, however, and for some of us, we might really miss it! Without a boss or coworkers, our business relationships might be heavy on the business and not nearly as cordial as we might be used to and this can be tough. For others of … Continue reading

Compliments Work

I am not talking about insecure, blanket compliments here but genuine, heart-felt, incident and person-specific compliments. Taking time to compliment customers, clients, vendors, and colleagues—whether it is for a job well done or a new hair-cut, can mean all the difference in our business reputations. In the attempt to find ways to build and grow our businesses, we can often over-complicate things. There are so many books and business “Bibles” out there that give us all sorts of insider information on how to make the big sales and grow our prospects and market base. Sometimes, it is those simple communication … Continue reading

I’ll Take All The Compliments I Can Get

I wrote recently about how my skin has become rather tough over the many years of parenting. My kids tend to have plenty of criticisms for how I parent, cook, wear my hair, etc. But, every once in a while nowadays, one of them is actually forthcoming with a compliment. And I have to admit, I glom onto that compliment like cheesecake! Recently, my son told me that one of the things I do make well is homemade pizza. Of course, he wrapped the compliment in the caveat of “Your homemade bread isn’t too good, but you sure can make … Continue reading