Do you remember being told as a child that if you couldn't say something nice, don't say anything at all? Well, the opposite holds true. Positive comments and compliments to friends, family members, co-workers, and even strangers have the potential to be immensely powerful.
Compliments can make us feel uplifted and respected; we just need to learn how to accept them. Unfortunately, for many of us who were raised in households where expressions of love were few and far between or whose self-confidence suffered from cruel bullies, the idea of receiving a genuine comment without quick-talk rationalizing or deflecting is uncomfortable. That discomfort is normal and it takes practice to get to a place of comfortability—but it's worth it!
The warm glow that comes when you simply say "Thank you" for a sincere compliment is like a cozy blanket for your soul. When we accept compliments gracefully, it reinforces feelings of respect and appreciation between peers. And learning to embrace compliments not only has a positive effect on those we receive them from, but also ourselves.
This may even lead to increased introspection and self-liberalization. Instead of the negative inner dialogue that usually turns on when someone gives us praise, why not use that energy towards positive self-growth? Start by focusing on what is going right in your life before ruminating on what could be better. This shift in perspective has the power to lead to lasting change and make us more confident as individuals.
Learning to value compliments can make us better givers of them. When we recognize its worth, it becomes easier for us to catch opportunities to offer small words of encouragement. Doing this will remind us all of the subtle yet powerful affect these tiny utterances can have on people's lives.
So the next time you hear somebody complement you on your new shirt or run into an old friend who says you haven't aged a bit— take a breath, relax and smile as you thank them for the kind words. Saying "thank you" doesn't cost a thing but provides a generous return on investment.
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