I had the NICEST experience on Friday night, and I just had to share with you all! I was at the Mann Center for Performing Arts to see one of my all-time favorite bands, Pavement, on their reunion tour. So really, I was already in a pretty fabulous mood. The show rocked.
As the band left the stage and the crowd cheered for an encore, this adorable young woman who was sitting in the row in front of me turned around, grabbed my wrist, and leaned toward me to say something. She had to shout because the audience was still very loud. She said something to the effect of, "I saw you sit down earlier before the show, and I just wanted to tell you that I think you're really beautiful!" A look of shock and joy must have spread over my face, as if I won the lottery. I started to thank her profusely. She said, "I feel like I always have to preface myself by saying 'I'm not a weirdo or a lesbian or anything.' I just don't think women tell other women things like that enough. And I think you're doing everything right!"
I nearly started to cry. Her words meant so much. Inside, I'm still that insecure, dorky 6th grader seen here with a horrible perm, overbite, and unibrow. The girl that never got asked to the dance. The girl that was teased, even in college. So receiving a compliment like that made me feel so incredibly special. And what she said is absolutely right. Women don't typically say things like that to other women. But you know what? I think it all the time! There's this woman who I used to see at Starbucks every morning, and I thought she was gorgeous. Plus, she always had the most amazing outfits and she looked so sophisticated. But did I ever tell her this? No. Why? I don't know, maybe I didn't want her to think I was a weirdo stalker lady! But I should have. Because maybe she's that same 6th grader on the inside.
Today's Assignment: Kind Words for Women
We need to break the stereotype that women are catty witches (with a capital B) that just want to tear other women down. Those Lifetime movies are false! :) So how about we stop someone this week and tell her that we think she's beautiful! I'm sure she will be thrilled to hear it. Let's make it a little bit more commonplace, so maybe one day prefaces won't be necessary.
14 comments:
What an absolute incredible experience! I don't tell other women things like that enough either -- I've usually been worried what they'd think of me. But no more will I worry, especially about hearing how moved you were! I too was a very dorky 6th grader with a too-tight spiral perm and never felt like I fit in growing up. I'm going to make it a point today to tell some amazing beautiful women that I think they're precisely that.
Every now and then I'll do something like that, but not NEARLY often enough. Thanks for the reminder!
What a great post! I agree wholeheartedly. This doesn't apply to just women but young teens too. The other day I did that at Red Robin. I stopped to tell this young teen that she look absolutely beautiful. The girl's face lit up and she looked stunned, in a good way. I tell the moms at my kid's school all the time. It might be their hair, their smile, their thoughtfulness... it does as much good to me as it does to them.
Your are absolutely beautiful Mel, inside and out. Rob has the best catch in a lady such as yourself. ♥
I think that's a lovely thing to happen! I know the boost it gives me just to have someone say they think my scarf is pretty. I tell my friends all the time that I think they're gorgeous and though I've commented on a lovely pair of shoes or something belonging to a stranger, I've never told a stranger that I thought she was lovely. The woman who said that to you is obviously very kind and brave. I will try this one!
Thanks! xx
First off, I totally agree with that woman. You are lovely, inside and out. And secondly, what a great reminder!
Great experience! I'm a Fed Ex courier and often comment on a customers jewelry or outfit...I have nothing to do while they sign, so I check out what they're wearing. they usually seem pleasantly surprised!
The girl who some smart fella saw for the beauty she is, and asked her to marry him? The girl who is beloved by friends near and far? That's the Melissa we know and love.
I had a similar experience last week. A woman I didn't know complimented me. It was completely unexpected. But she made my week! I resolved right then to be more free with compliments - knowing how good they can make you feel.
Melissa, I love this assignment!! I had a similar experience the other day. I interact with the public a lot with my job and the other day a women told me point blank that I was "very beautiful." I wasn't awkward or out of place. It was just... nice! I was a dorky 6th grader, too, and I still feel like I am. I'll go out of my way to pay it forward this week :).
I cant help myself, if I see a woman in a lovely outfit, or a great hair style I have to comment. its a small random act of kindness that tends to make someones day. the smile you get for doing it is worth it. :-)
I'm oh so sad to say that the pictueres of me from elementary school look a LOT like yours, except I was also sporting HUGE ugly BROWN plastic glasses. Isn't it funny how we all do actually turn out okay, despite how hard it is growing up? I think we were all "awkward" to say the least from like ages 7-13! I agree with her though, you are definitely BEAUTIFUL and we as women need to tell each other more often for sure!!
I LOVE this post!!! What a fabulous idea! Every once in a while, I remember to do this...and it's amazing how much a woman's face lights up when another woman compliments them! Just amazing.
I love this! When I see something a woman is wearing or I heard about what has girlfriend is doing I always give compliments and applaud her!
And guess what I started to cry right as so as the young woman told you you were beautiful. I am so happy you experienced that!
Melissa, I blogged about this today. Love this experience and by the way I think you are beautiful too!
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