13 years old?" I asked surprised.
"Yes, I knew she was the one for me even at 13 years old," responded Mike. “In fact, I believe that even at such a young age, or probably because it was such a young age, I was really open to what was meant for me."
It was a great story. I had just met Mike and was interviewing him as a vendor for an event that we were planning so I really wasn't expecting this kind of story. He told us that at 13 years old he met the ‘woman’ of his dreams and at 52 years old he finally married her. Neither of them had married in the interim though they had gone their separate ways and lost touch completely. He had made contact with a mutual friend from their younger days and when her name came up he told the mutual friend how much he still loved her. In a matter of days she called him.
He set about courting her, complimenting her, and reminding her just how much love they had shared. But she had no interest, she had been hurt too many times, and as far as she was concerned there was no chemistry. However, a few weeks later she invited him to attend a function with her – he took it as a good sign. He designed an engagement ring and had it made. As she gave him a tour of her favorite gardens he could hardly hear the words she spoke because he was so nervous. At her most favorite spot, Mike got on one knee and proposed. She said yes because she had had a vision some years earlier of a man on his knee just as Mike was. They were married days later.
Mike beamed as he told us the story and described his true love. By the time he was done I was really looking forward to meeting this woman. It also reminded me of another couple I know. They always spoke of each other in glowing terms and from the outside they looked to me like a very happy couple. It has now been thirty years, and counting, and they are still together and both still beaming.
If, as I believe, we are all one then the compliment that I offer you I also offer me. And we are both uplifted. What a simple way to bring joy into your life. Marriage is not a requirement for this either. No matter who you are, where you are, who you are speaking to, or about, there is always something nice you can say to, or about another person.
Sincerity may be an issue sometimes—and with some people—but the more sincere you are the better and more uplifting your compliments will be. There are times, however, that you have to fake it before you can mean it. Yet in 'faking it' you open yourself to forgiving that person and elevating your relationship.
It's always a win-win situation, and a very simple way of increasing joy for all involved when you are able to say something nice to the person in front of you. Try it!