Xena: Hey Lucy Deucy, do you think that’s true, that words really matter?
Lucy: Well, how does it make you feel when I call you Xena Weena?
Xena: Grrr. It hurts my feelings.
Sometimes it makes me feel sad, and sometimes I just want to bite you.
Lucy: And what about when Mom tells you that you are a good girl and she loves you?
Xena: I feel happy and all warm and cuddly inside.
Lucy: So, little sister, do you think words matter?
Mom: Years ago I was given some wise advise. When you see someone who looks sad, or bored or uninterested, find something to compliment them about. And mean it. You can change the direction of their whole day.
Xena: Like what, Mommy? Like tell them they’re the smartest person you ever met or that they have the most gorgeous furs ever?
Mom: No, no, little one. Something simple, such as, “I just love your earrings,” or “You have such pretty hair,” or even, “Great shoes! Where did you get them?” I remember the time I did that with a totally disconnected convenience store clerk and she looked up and smiled, her whole face lighting up.
Xena: Huh. *thinking* Hey Lucy Deu…I mean Lucy! Your furs are very shiny today.
Lucy: Aw, Xena, thanks. That made me feel really good. *grin*
Xena: I’m glad, ’cause I love you. and your furs are so shiny I’m going to need sunglasses. Now, can I have your supper?
Lucy: *sigh*
This is Lucy with the Shiny Furs and Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess thanking you for being our friends and wishing you only kind words today.
Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess with Lucy, Chia and Riley 
Your mommy is so right, little one. A kind word can brighten someone’s day in ways we cannot fathom.
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Xena, see the trouble you’ve caused. Lucy
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Chaplin: “So, wait, if I give someone a compliment, it means they have to give me their supper afterwards?”
Charlee: “I don’t think that’s what―”
Chaplin: “Charlee, you’re a very good jumper. Excuse me, gotta go.”
Charlee: “Stay away from my supper, Chaplin!”
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I think it’s the same with dogs and cats, too. We can make them fell good or bad with our words (and tone.)
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That’s the absolute truth. Mom said that even when she just thinks something negative about someone, she feels icky inside. (Well, maybe she didn’t say “icky.”) XOX Xena
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Your Mom is the kind of person others like to see come in the door.
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Mom always likes to make sure she lets people know she appreciates things they do. Today the lab clerk at the hospital went the extra mile for Dad and they made sure he knew it was greatly apreciated
hugs
Hazel & Mabel
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Your mom said some very wise words. If you live by them everyday then you will make others people’s lives better and yours will be improved too.
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Excellent post ladies. It is true words can cut or be complimentary. A comp;iment stays and makes the person feel good about themselves. We choose the complimentary approach.
Shoko, Tyebe and Budd….mom too
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That’s just my little sister, BellaDharma. If she were any different, Mommy would probably put a glass stick up her patootie to see if she was sick. She’s got a good heart, and she’ll get better with time (I hope). XOX Lucy
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MOL/BOL Xena yore so funny…you were doin reel guud….such a sweet compleement. An then askin fore Lucy’ss suppurr!! Too funny! 😉
Werdss DO matter fore sure….mee likess nice werdss a lot!
**purrsss** an ❤ BellaDharma
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To the squirrels, too? Lucy and Xena
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And you didn’t even ask to eat my supper, C! *smiles* Lucy
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This is excellent advice. We should all try to be nicer to everyone.
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#kindnesscounts Your furs really ARE always shiny, L. Just sayin’…
Love and licks,
Cupcake
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Well, just don’t expect them to give you their supper because of it. ~Xena
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Such great advice from Lucy and your Mama today Xena…I may even try to be kind to my brothers!
xoxo,
Rosy
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So true, and as years can sometimes turn a mouth downward, I am careful to not give the impression of a frown, too!
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Maybe that’s because you don’t wear earrings, Miss Kismet. But your feathers are very blue beautiful. Xena
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I 100% agree with the advice you were given years ago. It is amazing how just a smile can change a life.
Hugs to your and your girls
Cecilia
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Nobody has ever complimented me on my earrings.
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Jeff and I consistently experienced the same thing at employee-owned Publix, and love to shop there. The local Food City (2 minutes away) finally changed employees and now they are so much friendlier and helpful too. I don’t like shopping, but they all make me forget that!
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What a wonderful thought for the day.I even changed grocery stores because of all the… have a nice day, and good mornings, and let me get that for you that I heard every time I stopped in there. I found I was standing up straighter instead of slumping over the cart and I actually felt better,and it did make me smile..
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It is true. And you boys are the best destructors I know! XOX Xena
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“eccentric old bag lady” te, he. That’s funny, YAM-Aunty. Mommy keeps her jam jars to spit in every morning after she has pulled coconut oil through her teeth, Then they go in the trash when they are almost full, ’cause no one wants to smell what came out of her mouth, BOL! And oh, I like your picture, you have a pretty smile. 🙂 ~Xena
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Hari Om
yup that’s one of my fave things to do when out and about. Though occasionally it backfires, cuz folk think you are some eccentric old bag lady. All I was doing was carrying my empty jam-jars to the recycling base… but other than that, most folk are happy to be complimented! hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
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That is a wonderful idea to say something nice to people who have no good day… even a smile and a simple hello matters… well said!!!
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