Friday, 24 May 2013

Ah...this old thing?


Why are there so many of us who have a hard time accepting a compliment?  Someone says “You sure look nice today”, and all we can say is “ah… this old thing?” Or someone compliments you on a job well done and the first thing out of your mouth is what you could have done to do it even better.  I am one of these people. 

 I was recently given a different perspective of a compliment.  A compliment can be seen as a gift.  It may not be wrapped in a box with a big red ribbon on it, but it is something given to someone that is meant to encourage and let a person know that what or how they  have done something is noticed, appreciated and makes a difference for someone.  We wouldn’t hand back a brightly wrapped gift why can’t we accept a ‘gift’ worth so much more?

I think it is important to compliment, whether to our children, spouse, co- workers etc.  Compliments have a power to push and encourage people to keep trying or to reach even further.  At the same time I think it is just as important to be a good receiver of compliments.  How we receive says a lot about us and has ability to show the difference a compliment can make. 

Looking at compliments now as ‘gifts’ has made me realize that how I respond to them is just as important as giving them.

Alana Regier


 

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