My Compliments To You

Before I get into the subject of today’s post, I’d like to start off with a side note. I heard a quote on NPR during the drive to work earlier this week that really stuck with me. “If your compassion doesn’t include yourself, it’s incomplete.” I’ve always been a compassionate person, but rarely did that compassion include me. In fact, I would often sacrifice my own happiness without flinching if I believed it would bring happiness to others. Does this sound familiar? The goal is to stay compassionate for others while remaining thoughtful of ourselves. I hope this quote sticks with you as much as it did with me. It’s thoughts like these that keep us learning and progressing.

And now on to today’s post:

The Art of Accepting a Compliment

AB: You look great.

CD: (bashfully) I’m really tired and my hair is a mess.

EF: You’re body is beautiful.

GH: (hesitant) Thanks. I was in much better shape over the summer.

HI: Wow, you ran that whole race? I’m impressed.

JK: (disappointed) I didn’t run fast enough.

LM: You have such a nice home.

NO: (embarrassed) It’s a total mess in here!

PQ: You have great hair.

RS: (surprised) I really need to schedule a cut.

TU: That is impressive work. Well done.

VW: (frustrated) If only I had one more day to work on it, it could have been better.

XY: I love your smile.

Z: (stops smiling)

Familiar?

There are many reasons why accepting a compliment may be difficult for a person. Maybe he/she feels that accepting a compliment makes him/her vain or conceited. Or perhaps, the receiver of the compliment doesn’t believe it. Maybe it’s even just an old habit! Whatever the cause, when given a compliment, it feels so much better to just smile and say “thank you!”

Accepting a compliment is often viewed as a social grace or a form of etiquette. However, it is also reflective of our confidence. A thoughtful smile and a sincere “thank you” are not only ways to be polite to those giving you the compliment; they are also the ways to be polite to yourself.

Let’s practice a little.

Once per day for a week or two, look at yourself in the mirror and pay yourself one compliment. After you do so, smile and thank yourself. Yes, I know this sounds a little silly. You don’t even have to do this out loud if you don’t want to! But if you do this for one week, the next time you receive a compliment, you might be surprised about how that compliment will affect you! Maybe instead of feeling uncomfortable or awkward, you’ll internalize it, and for the rest of the day, you’ll know that someone out there thinks highly of you or something you did.

My compliment of the day goes out to Katy Perry for writing the most motivational song of the year! "Ignite the light and let it shine..." Gives me chills every time...

Be well and enjoy the day!

Do you recall a time when you felt awkward about accepting a compliment?