The compliment machine

 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT

They call it a compliment machine, something that is not available at your local electronics store. It was the brain-child of 46-year-old artist Tom Greaves and was displayed in an outdoor art exhibit put together by a group of artists.

The Compliment Machine consists of 100 compliments pre-recorded on an iPod Nano powered by a car battery.  And what kind of compliments does the machine produce? It says positive statements such as, “You are awesome!” or “You are a great driver.” Another is “You have a nice voice.” A jogger who came by – sweaty and smelling like a gym locker – got one that went, “You smell good!”

How was the project viewed by local merchants? They liked it. It generated more traffic in the area and customers seemed to enjoy it. People began passing by simply to hear what compliment the machine would say about them.

The artist whose idea resulted in this machine said, “The real human need for assurance and reassurance and to be complimented is powerful. It’s one of the basic emotional needs that we as humans have – one that is often neglected.”

When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he instructed, “Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). The word that Paul used is the same word that would be used of someone who builds a house –brick by brick and timber by timber.

Insincere, meaningless flattery stings, and few are gullible enough to believe it. But a compliment that affirms and encourages can spell the difference between someone trying again or simply giving up, weighed down by feelings of inadequacy. Why not practice affirming others, starting today?

Used with permission from Guidelines Philippines, Inc. To learn more about Guidelines and the ministry, please write to Box 4000, 1280 Makati City, Philippines or e-mail address [email protected]. You may also visit our website at www.guidelines.org.