Taking a compliment

I want to share an experience with you about taking a compliment.

A random stranger complimented me on a flowy red dress, he said it complimented my skin tone and that red was my colour. “Who me?” were the words I stopped from myself saying. For a moment, I froze. I didn’t know what to say. I swear it would’ve been easier if he was antagonistic with it. At least, I would have been prepared and within moments be ready to fire back. I’m used to conflict, built for it. But a compliment. So rare and precious. I looked down at my red frock blowing in the breeze. Before I knew it, I could hear myself say… “What, this old thing? I’ve had it years if you look close enough you can see the bobbles”.

The kind random stranger wasn’t having any of it. He caught me in the act, like a rabbit in the headlights. I was rebuffing his kind words and he knew it. He could see I was struggling. He looked me in the eyes and said, “Take the compliment lady. It’s a beautiful dress on you!”. Stunned, slightly mesmerised and a little embarrassed, I swallowed whole the goodness of his kind words. It felt like it took every fibre of my being not to rebuke, downplay or minimise his appreciation. I felt an instant urge to compliment him about something on his person. But I stopped, resistance was futile.

Inspired and moved by the experience, I have decided to write about it – and taking a compliment – in the hope it will touch another who, like me, has struggled with embracing love and kindness. Sign up to find out why you may struggle to take a compliment along with life lessons to help make it easier to accept them. If this talks to you, talk to me.