In today's world of social media and pressure to be perfect we often forget to be nice to others.  We have all experienced the feeling of receiving a compliment.  Our mood improves and we are better able to handle what comes our way during the day.  In addition, the giver also experiences a good feeling, from making others happy.

Below is some excerpts from The Art of the Compliment about giving and receiving compliments.
 
Compliments derive from taking notice of praiseworthy situations and efforts. So they are a mark of awareness and consciousness. We need to cultivate awareness of the good developments that are all around us.Once praiseworthy situations are noticed, the awareness needs to be spoken. Compliments are powerful in motivating behavior.   People strive to do more of what brings praise from others. 
 
Compliments work only if they are sincere reflections of what we think and if they are given freely and not coerced. Compliments backfire if they are not genuine. And faux flattery is usually highly transparent. A false compliment makes the speaker untrustworthy; it raises suspicions about motives. And that can undermine a whole relationship. 

The more specific they are, the better. "The way you handled that question at the meeting was brilliant. You really refocused the discussion onto our plans."  Compliments work best when they are forthright and not incidental. So you need to clear a little space for a compliment and deliver the praise as a statement. Compliments on appearance are fabulous for making people feel good and help put people at ease. But they don't work in situations where appearance isn't an issue. 

How a compliment is received can invalidate both the giver and the observation that inspired it.  Sadly, too many women discount compliments. Perhaps you've been in this situation yourself. Someone says, "Wow, you look great today." And you say, "oh, but I feel so fat (ugly) today." Or you get complimented on an outfit and you say, "Oh, this old thing, I've had it for years." Or someone says, "Hey, you gave a really good presentation." And you say, "oh, I just slapped some stuff together in five minutes." Such answers instantly suck the positivity out of the air and deflate the donor. They make the giver feel stupid for noticing and commenting on something so unworthy of praise. They totally invalidate the person's judgment. At the very least, they create social awkwardness.  There is only one way to receive a compliment—graciously, with a smile.

 I challenge you to spend sometime on the 24th to be aware of what others are doing and give five compliments.

 For more information on giving compliments, here is the complete article The Art of the Compliment