Compliments

Before and After

I had such fun on Saturday at the Lindy Charm School for Girls workshop.  A morning spent playing with hair and makeup really is heaven for me.  But along with the lessons on styling, undergarments and a good eyeliner flick, there were some important messages.

We began the workshop by reciting the Lindy Charm School for Girls oath.  It was filled with hilarious things about always ensuring our seams and the seams of others are straight and always endeavouring to wear red lipstick.  However the truly important part of the oath was that we would endeavour to always find an opportunity to pass on a compliment.

As Miss Chrissy said, you never know how someone is really feeling.  Their fab outfit or cute haircut doesn't mean that inside they are glowing and happy.  Paying that small compliment, just a few words can really make someone's day.  I've written about compliments before, about how I'm still learning to accept them gracefully and how they really can give you a lift, but Miss Chrissy's oath reminded me that it isn't just about getting compliments, I can give them too.

One of the things that I really noticed over the course of the morning was how the mood in the room changed as people glamed up.  I don't think it would be going too far to say that many of the women slinked into the room, eyes down, posture slumped.  No doubt most of them, like me, rarely leave the house completely barefaced and with un-done and un-washed hair (it is much easier to style hair that has had at least a day if not two since the last wash).  However over the course of the morning, the room got progressively louder, happier and more energetic. 

It wasn't just that we were putting on our face and doing our hair it was that our neighbours and the instruction team were continually giving compliments.  All around me I could hear people saying "your eyebrows look lovely", "wow, check out how well you did those pin curls", "you look amazing".  By the time we got together to pose for a group photo, there were pin-up poses, beautiful posture, wide smiles and laughter all around.

Confidence is such a tricky thing to find.  Makeup and hair might help, but I have to say, a compliment is the best confidence booster I've ever found.  So Miss Chrissy, I'm doing my best to wear red lipstick regularly, I will check my seams and those of others and most importantly, at every possible opportunity, I aim to give a compliment.