ACTing with compliments

This week I accepted the challenge to ACT (remember from our challenge post last Tuesday?) and it turned out quite differently than I expected. Here's what happened.

I found this blog post on social acceptance earlier this week. (Just a note--the first video has some ads with immodest women, but you can skip it and still get the message.) That was my inspiration for my service this week.

What I read in that post woke me up big time. Beauty, or at least our perceptions of it, have such a profound impact on the way that people in general (but girls especially) view themselves and live their lives. Growing up in a society where ads with picture-perfect women are the norm, you get used to "ignoring" it. You accept it as a fact of life and move on. I don't think that we always think about how much on an impact this has on us. I highly doubt that anybody can see these ads and pictures and still remain unaffected. What we repeatedly view shapes our thoughts which shapes our actions and perceptions of life.

Like I said, that blog post was a wake-up call. When I realized that I wasn't doing all I can or should to help others see themselves as amazing people (which they are) I made a plan. My goal was to compliment three different people every day. It's that simple. But through doing something that small, my mind and eyes are open throughout the day, looking for people who need a confidence boost.

My first compliment was to a friend of mine who is facing some struggles of her own that have to do with this idea of beauty and acceptance. Writing her an e-mail took only a few minutes, but I know that it'll bring a smile to her face. It sure brought one to mine.

I'm certain that we can help those around us see their worth and potential rather than dwelling on what they are not. The small things we do can have a huge influence on those around us. I hope that my three compliments will turn into a life-long habit that will shape not only myself, but those around me.


So enough about me, what did you guys do this week? How have you served? I'd love to hear it!