How to take a compliment

One of the biggest obstacles that I’ve overcome this year is learning how to accept love and kindness from other people. I have always had a terrible time accepting compliments and always felt an urge to repay someone’s act of kindness back to them immediately after the fact to avoid feeling uneasy or uncomfortable.

This past summer at Eagle Fern Camp, I worked with a small crew of other college students who genuinely desired to be a reflection of Jesus in their lives. Through this, I think I was confronted by the fact that we are sometimes given things we don’t deserve, and that not all people have ulterior motives when they compliment you, or they are just being genuinely kind.

Most of the time, the best thing I come up with is to say “thank you” in return. It can be a vulnerable place.

Now I feel that I’m more attentive to others around me and able to notice others when they accomplish something that they struggled with, and really be able to genuinely say “good job,” offer them a piece of gum or a ride home from school, without expecting anything in return.

It came down to me becoming aware of a self-dependent mindset that protected myself from being hurt by the possibility that some people might not be genuine. And the truth is, there are a few individuals out there who might not be. But I believe it’s worth the risk, because we will discover the ones who are genuine through being open to receiving others’ words.