Take A Compliment

"A compliment is verbal sunshine" ~ Robert Orben

I've made an observation over the last few days...after receiving, giving, and observing compliments, I have come to the conclusion that they are a very uncomfortable thing for people to take.  It seems that most people when given a compliment usually do one of the following:

1. Deny, insult, or belittle the gift (and themselves) in order to not brag

2. Start rambling madly and change the subject as quickly as possible

3. Blush like crazy and act like nothing has been said

And it makes me wonder why is it that we as a people have such a difficult time accepting a compliment? Is it because we are afraid we will be seen as bragging or boastful?  Are we afraid to admit the good things about us?  Why is it so difficult to accept the fact that someone else sees something good in you?  Have compliments become tainted because so many people often give insincere compliments?

I don't have the answers to this question, but I have been working lately that when I do receive a compliment I simply smile and say thank you. I will admit...that's hard.  I am sure I still blush and even though I am secretly gloating inside at times,  I try to allow the person who's giving the compliment to know that I hear them and appreciate their kind words without insulting myself or others in order to ward off any pride I am afraid I might leak. 

I may be thinking too deeply (which happens from time to time) but part of me thinks it goes back to self love.  When we don't love ourselves or feel confident with ourselves, we don't know how to handle love and appreciation from someone else.  When we have trouble seeing the good in us, we don't trust the good that others see in us.  Maybe it comes from our woundedness that we each carry.  Perhaps a past hurt has interfered with seeing that we are a good friend or a good artist?  Who knows?  But I think as we become more comfortable in our skin...with who we really are to the core, we can take compliments from others and acknowledge all the good that is found in each of us.

So, I guess the moral of this story is the next time someone tells you that you are beautiful, talented, or caring just smile and say thank you and know that today you shined a little bit of light into someone else's world. :)