"You're so ... punctual -- I mean, beautiful."

Isn't that hair awesome? Seriously, don't you wish you could make your hair do that? What you can't see is that there are lots of individual hairs that stand up even taller than the more prominant ones in this picture.

I love Elsie's hair. Some people poke fun at it, but I've told Jason that part of me will be sad when Elsie's hair lays flat on her head. It's been sticking up since she was a month old. For the last seven months, this has been her hair. I make a point to tell her how great it is.

My dad always used to tell me that I had great freckles. He used to pretend that he was kissing every single one (I have a lot). And you know, I've never wished away my freckles. I never thought they made me ugly or tried to find a special freckle-removing cream. I didn't think they were my best feature, but I was fine with their living arrangements. I'm convinced it's because of my dad, and how he pointed out and complimented something that others find unattractive.

As part of his message last Sunday, my pastor spoke about affirming others. We all have a need for affirmation, and all seek it, but we are not all good at giving it. I think sometimes the most memorable affirmations are concerning the little things, the things you don't usually get complimented on.

For example, I remember 2 years ago when someone came up and told me that I was a good mother. It's not that the "often heard" compliments aren't appreciated, but we all like to hear that someone is noticing the little things about us that make us great. That's a real knack, I think. Noticing, appreciating, and telling someone that you saw something that maybe not everyone sees. And you liked it.

That is my challenge to myself. To really look at others, and take note, and then -- when I see something admirable, to tell them. This is harder with people we have known for a long time, but not impossible. And something makes me believe that when we start speaking the good things we see in a person, that person will begin to believe good things about themselves, too.