Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A Pretty Mission


--by cassirose, posted Sep 27, 2013
I make it a point, if I see them, to go up and compliment teenage girls or young women. I might tell her how pretty her hair is, or how much I like her dress, or just how pretty she is. I'm usually old enough to be their grandmother so I'm never misunderstood when I do this.
 
I remember how insecure I was when I was their age and how much it would have meant to me to have an older woman tell me something like that and know it was said with no ulterior motive. And I see this same insecurity in young girls today. It's so hard for us to believe that we're pretty for any number of reasons.
 
I was looking through an old photo album with my husband and he said how pretty I was back then and I could see it now, looking back, but I couldn't have imagined it then. I felt so sorry for the young girl I used to be who never thought she was pretty enough.
 
So, I've sort of made it my personal mission to compliment teenage girls and young women. Their faces lighting up in surprise and then in pleasure is all the reward I need.
 
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Readers Comments

cassirose wrote: I met another woman who does this same thing with young women. She is a former teacher. What a joy to find someone else with the same "mission" in her life.
linneamaren wrote: How lovely! Thank you for this.
Alizarine wrote: Social pressure on girls and women's look is harsh and what you do cassirose is beautiful. I had a charming italian old lady for tutor in italian when i was 16 , she made a compliment to me and i told her i wasn't pretty. She replied very spontaneously : " tutti i giovani sono belli! " (all young people are beautiful! ) . It impressed me and made me seriously consider her point of view. Of course she's right :). Unfortunately my mother barely made a compliment to me. Never letting a compliment unspoken has been and is one of my rules ;). Greetings from france to everyone , may your life be filled with kindness <3
cassirose wrote: Thank you.
Rajni Gohil wrote: Very inspiring thought that takes little time but seed planted in listeners will increase self confidence, happiness, love, respect and it goes on. Her selfless effort is greatly appreciated. It will definitely inspire others to bring in their life.

It is wisely said by mother teresa "kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: That is great! Spreading smiles and helping make people feel good is a wonderful thing to do! :)
princessliz wrote: You are beautiful, then and now. Smile, you're precious! :)
cassirose wrote: thank you
jsmc10 wrote: that is such a great mission! Thank you for sharing :)
FairyBubbles wrote: Cassirose, that is a really kind thing to do. Yes, I remember those feelings of not being pretty enough too. You are making so much difference to those girls. It must really make their day.

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