Here's the scenario:

You are faced with a normal, everyday task, and it requires you to call into customer service and bitch.  No one really likes having to take time out of their day to complain, but you have to do it.

So you pick up the phone, run through the automated menu by pressing '0' repeatedly, and...

...you are suddenly greeted by a pleasant voice that says, "Hi, this is Sandra.  How can I help you today?"

The corners of your lips lift a little from the deep frown that this phonecall began with.  You explain the issue that has been plaguing you for a couple days, causing you to put off the phonecall.  Sandra listens, and then responds as if...

...as if she heard every word you said.  Sandra neatly dispatches the issue, apologizes for the problems it has caused, and asks if there's anything else she can help you with today.

You say, "No, but could you transfer me to your supervisor?"  She sounds uncertain, but transfers you.  Now, ten minutes ago, before being blessed with Sandra, you would have told her supervisor EXACTLY what was bugging you, but now, your mood has lifted.  The weight is off your shoulders.  The problem is solved, and you have Sandra to thank for it.

Thus, you tell Sandra's supervisor how lucky he is to have her.  After thanking you, the supervisor hangs up with you and you move on with your life.

Sure, you just took five minutes out of your day to compliment someone, but what have you really done?  You very well might have just saved someone's job, you might have given them a monetary bonus, or your kudos may be another note on her permanent record.  It may just have been a few kind words from you, but to Sandra, it may make significant improvements in her life and outlook on her position.

I always get comments when I do something like this; people seem amazed that not only would I take the time to give someone props, I would wait on hold to do it.  "Why?" they ask...and I tell them that it's simple: It all comes back around.  Every good thing that I do for someone else, I'll get back, eventually.

Whether you believe in good karma or not, there's definitely something to this 'pay it forward' mentality.  If you could change the outlook of one person during the day, and that person passed it on, and so on and so forth, you could, very literally, change the world.  Deep breaths ;)

So the next time you get excellent service or someone dispatches a problem quickly and efficiently or someone goes out of their way to make you happy, take the time to ask for their supervisor and let that super know how lucky they are to have that particular person on staff.  It may make little difference to your schedule, but it may make all the difference in the world to the recipient of the compliment.