On People · 2 min read
Say the Kind Thing Out Loud
The compliment you swallowed was needed.
You know the moment. Someone says something that moves you, or wears something that suits them, or does a small thing well, and you think a warm thought — and you keep it inside because it felt too much, or too soon, or not cool.
Say it. Almost always, say it. You do not know what the person is carrying today. The thing that feels like too much to you is often exactly enough for them.
Kindness withheld is not neutral. It is a small subtraction from the world. Add instead.
Written slowly. Read as slowly as you like.