Yes, homework.

Every now and again, I’m going to give you (and myself) homework to do. Perhaps a challenge is a more apt way to put it. This week’s challenge is incredibly simple. You can do it from your own couch. You have no excuse to not do it. Not doing it means that you readily admit that you are a cold hearted snake (what, what Paula Abdul…shit, if you’re too young for that reference then you need to do some serious youtubing).

This is a two part challenge.

1. Compliment A Stranger

I told you this wasn’t hard.

We spend a lot of time judging other people. We snark to our friends about a passing girl’s outfit. We mock our karaoke peers. We mimic the way people walk and the way they talk. We are endlessly and thoughtlessly mean throughout the day, generally with no malicious intent. It’s almost automatic.

Why isn’t it automatic to be friendly, to silently admire someone’s cat patterned sweater? It seems that cruelty comes more easily to most of us, even though we’re not cruel people.

I compliment my clients relentlessly. I don’t do it in the hopes that my tips will be bigger. I do it because I love the visible effect it has on them. They shy smile that spreads across a girl’s face when you tell her that she has gorgeous lashes, amazing brows or even how nice her tan looks. I’m always looking for something beautiful in my clients because I offer a service (waxing) that is both mentally and physically uncomfortable for them. A compliment does multiple things: Breaks the ice, sets the girl at ease, makes her happy and hopefully makes her day a little brighter.

Sometimes when I’m extra cranky with the world I drive around the city and try to say something positive about everything I see. It’s hard and sometimes I really have to stretch the truth but it’s an excellent exercise for your brain. Doing it even once a week can help tweak you little by little into more positive thought patterns.

So tell the grocery clerk you love her hair. Tell the deli guy his glasses are dope. Tell the old lady down the street that it’s nice to see her and to have a wonderful day.

Be very concise and please do not be creepy. And smile.

2. Compliment A Loved One

This is the easier part but also the more important one.

I’m having an incredibly shitty day. I would like to slap the shit out of myself every time I hear myself talk. It happens, just one of those days. On these days, I assume everyone else wants to slap me as well. They might. Also on these days, I realize how much I desperately need someone to tell me something about me that is worthwhile.

So I sit down and send out texts to the first three people that pop into my head. I told my best friend I adored her and miss her. My girlfriend I saw today got a message telling her how grateful I am that she’s in my life and how I think she’s utterly wonderful. Then one to my mom, who absorbs love like a hungry sponge (much like me) and who I love fiercely but need to tell more often.

Not hard, eh?

We all vent and bitch about the people in our lives but how often do we appreciate them out loud? Why not take a few minutes every now and then to text, e-mail, call or say in person, “You’re awesome and I’m so glad I have you around me”.

Everyone loves to hear something positive about themselves. Especially from people they love and respect. Plus, all that love you’re giving out is bound to come boomaranging back at you eventually so you win as well.

Go forth and give out some good vibes, shower people with compliments and put some positive energy into the world for a change. Your brain will thank you. Then come and tell me all about it.