02/26/2020
One of the most meaningful compliments I received this past weekend was that I was just like Brene Brown. (For those of you not familiar with her work, she is an instrumental leader in courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy.)
It took a second or two for this compliment to register. I was taken aback, humbled and a bit shy about it... thankful none-the-less.
I used to have a hard time accepting a compliment - it made me feel so uncomfortable and I would be very quick to point out why the giver was wrong about what they complimented. My inner-critic stopped me from seeing what was worthy of admiration in myself. I was not good enough, smart enough, attractive enough. It felt awkward as hell.
After some deep inner work, I can now accept compliments much easier but I have to slow the moment down, take a deep breath to 'feel' what is being said, and then I can genuinely respond with a thank you.
Maya Angelou said that others will not remember what you did or said, but they'll remember how you made them feel.
In the same way, a compliment directed toward us isn't only about us. It's a thank you for the way we've made someone feel and I can now see that this is a beautiful thing. The clincher is when we refuse to accept a compliment from someone we refuse the love behind their words and steal their joy.
And from a medium's point-of-view, the capacity to receive a compliment has a direct influence on the ease of receiving spirit.
A compliment shows appreciation for that individual light within us. Whether it be a compliment about our work, looks or actions, the other person is thanking us for something positive, our light - we've done something that makes them feel good, happy or rewarded.
When someone compliments our light, it has nothing to do with us.... it's about how our light made them feel. That is our light in service. Treasure that light, guard that light, and share that light.
Giving someone a compliment is the Universe's way of showing us something wonderful about ourselves that we have yet to realize - we see it in others first. Receiving a compliment is an act of appreciation of the light within us all - light in service.
So the next time someone gives you a compliment, stop at thank you because thank you is saying:
THANK YOU for recognizing my individuality
THANK YOU for acknowledging my light.
THANK YOU for offering space for my purpose to serve this world.
THANK YOU for allowing me a chance to shine my light in your life.
