In one of her many inspiring speeches, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie shared a tenet that she tries to live by: “never admire quietly”.
Have you ever paid someone a compliment but kept it inside your head? Have you ever been struck by the brilliance of what someone just said or did, but the moment passed? What if, instead of keeping that admiration silent, you gave your voice to it?
Telling someone what you appreciate about them can be a small act with a huge and lasting impact. A simple “your laugh is joyful” or “you’re really good at explaining things” might make someone’s whole day. You never know what someone is struggling with privately, and your kind words could give them a little nudge of confidence when they need it most.
Praising others and lifting them up doesn’t make you less special. In fact, noticing and celebrating the good in other people can also help you to recognise the good in yourself. Someone else’s talent shining doesn’t take anything away from yours; a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.
So, don’t be afraid to say it. Compliment your friend. Celebrate someone’s achievement. Tell your sister you admire her determination. Thank the person who inspired you… out loud and with purpose.
We don’t always have to compete. Sometimes we can just stand back and admire another’s moment… but “never admire quietly”.
