3 . Compliments can be sent in all shapes and sizes. They can range from congratulating co-workers on their hard work to telling someone how good that shirt looks on him or her.     1     In other words, compliments, no matter how small or great they are, can make anyone feel good. Next time, if you want to give someone some compliments, keep these tips in mind.

• Perfect your compliments. People feel much more appreciated when you say exactly why you think that person deserves some praise. That’s to say, back your compliments up with examples of why you think that person did a good job.     2    

• Don’t put it off. Too many people wait until what they think is the perfect moment to send a compliment.     3     What you have in your head as a perfect moment may never happen. If you feel that a compliment is appropriate, the best time is now.

•     4     Don’t ever tell someone that something he or she has done is great and then point out what he or she was doing beforehand wasn’t so great. Compliments are meant to make people feel good, and that’s it. Don’t bring other things into them because comparing the present and the past can just make someone feel bad about themselves.

• Be selfless.     5     Not only is this very selfish, but it destroys all of the sincerity right out of the compliments. If you think someone’s hair looks nice, say so — but don’t do it just because you’re having a new hairstyle and want some validation (确认) for your own look.

4 . Planting the Seeds of Change

Catalino Tapia came to the United States as a young man with six dollars. He worked hard and eventually started his own gardening business. He married and bought a comfortable home in Redwood City, California. Tapia and his wife raised two sons, putting the elder through college.

When his son graduated from law school, Tapia was inspired to help other young people make it to college, although he himself had never studied beyond the sixth grade. With the help from his son, Tapia established a nonprofit corporation—the Gardeners Foundation.

Tapia began by asking his wealthy customers for donation (捐款). In just two weeks, he had raised $10,000 for scholarships, and the money kept coming. The Gardeners Foundation now gives a minimum of ten scholarships each year.

“I believe the education of our young people isn’t just the responsibility of their parents, especially in the Latino district where some parents work two or three jobs,” says Tapia.

Gloria Escobar, nineteen, received one of the scholarships. Gloria knew that she wanted to study architecture, but the classes that she needed were not offered at her local college. The money from the foundation allowed her to travel to a college farther away where she could earn the credits she needed to go to a university.

Another receiver, Alberto Urieta, hopes to major in biology. “To receive a scholarship is so much help because the books are so expensive, and it also gives us a feeling that we’re not alone, that someone wants us to make our dreams a reality,” says Urieta.

Tapia understands that children who are educated can contribute more to the country than those who are not. “It’s a little seed we’re planting,” he said. “And it will eventually grow into a garden of students, and it will flower and bear fruit.”