Comments on: Accepting Compliments Gracefully – Internally and Externally

By: Julie Gillies

Julie Gillies — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:33:58 +0000

In the 8th grade I stood in my school's busy hall speaking with my math teacher. Someone walked by and gave me a compliment, and I rolled my eyes and mumbled something like, "Yeah, sure."

Mr. Swain looked me in the eye and said, "You need to learn how to take a compliment."

My throat got all lumpy, but I continued listening to him.

"Just smile and say thank you." I really took his words to heart.

Years later I've learned to balance it out somewhat. I accept the compliment outwardly with a gracious smile and a thank you, accept it in my heart from God as encouragement, but give it all right back to the Lord. It's ALWAYS because of HIM that I receive the compliment in the first place.

Good post, Jeanie!

By: Jean Wise

Jean Wise — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 23:28:30 +0000

Thank you for all your nice comments – I thought others may feel the same way. Two of you used the word – squirm – great way to describe the feeling.
Thanks to those of you who tweeted about this post too. I appreciate it.
Like Kristen said, take lots of retraining – to quiet those internal voices.

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 23:12:01 +0000

Jeanie, I’m like you. I think part of it is, not wanting to be prideful, so I must act humble. Get it, ACT humble. (You either are or aren’t) Great post.

By: Kaye

Kaye — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 22:43:06 +0000

Hi there, I popped over from Tweet Me Tuesday to discover an interesting article and site of interest to the Baby Boomers Generation caring for elderly parents as well as often helping with their grandchildren. The book you have listed, Daily Comfort for Caregivers, sounds very interesting as well :)

I tweeted the article and also enjoyed peeking at some other posts including the one on Thomas.

Thanks for an interesting visit! :)

By: Graceful

Graceful — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:48:33 +0000

I know what you mean, Jean. I squirm uncomfortably when someone offers a compliment, especially, for some reason, when it’s about my writing. But I think accepting compliments gracefully — both outwardly and inwardly — is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. Your prayer to God was the right approach! He helped you see the good in the words you received.

Love that Mark Twain quote, too.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 20:11:26 +0000

Wow! Powerful words! I loved this post! I learned long ago that accepting a compliment meant I was capable of doing something-whatever that happened to be. I later learned that if you didn’t give anyone a reason to compliment you-no one expected anything of you. I’ve spent several years trying to re-train my thinking…with some success. God’s willing I just have to completely give it up to him and trust him. I’m the stubborn one-as always! 😉

By: Melinda

Melinda — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:08:30 +0000

I am the exact same way, Jeanie! I like the positive feedback, but it makes me squirm inside at the same time. I think it's a mix of unworthiness (if you only knew all my junk, I usually think) and the pressure to live up to high expectations.

I usually do what you do ... smile, say thank you. But I've been trying to gain encouragement from that feedback, without letting it make me prideful or dwell on it too much.

Wonderful post!