It only takes a sentence.

Sometimes, I hesitate to say the thing that longs to be said to the people I care about and even strangers. Everyone can use a few kind words, but like me, we pause, leaving the words hanging in mid-air, only a thought bubble.

Mark Twain, alias Samuel Clemens, remember him from your younger years? Most of us have read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and the hilarious short story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County“

Twain’s wit and insights project reality with humour and poignancy. One of my favorite Twainisms reminds me not to hold back on words that can make a difference in someone’s life.

I can live for two months on a good compliment.

Can’t we all?

Stephanie Harrison, author of The New Happy, asked her online community to answer this question: What’s a sentence you wish someone would say to you?

Here are a few of the responses Harrison received:

“I’m here for you, no matter what, and always will be.”

“You are doing amazing.”

“I care.”

“I know you can do it.”

“Everything’s okay no matter what you do or don’t do today.”

“You belong here. You’re not weird. You’re not too much. You just are and that’s enough.”

“I’m grateful for you.”

“Come, come sit a little closer to me. I wanna give you a hug. “

“Take a break on your overthinking brain.”

“I love you unconditionally, just the way you are!”