“I can live for two months on a good compliment.”
~Mark Twain, American author & humorist
Ah, compliments!
For someone to take the time to say something encouraging. Something positive about you. To start a sentence with the words, “I like you because _____________” and then they fill in the blank with a reason.
And you hug those words to yourself.
Too often I shrug off a compliment rather than accepting it.
You know what? That’s ungrateful of me.
At the very least, I should say “Thank you” for the verbal hug.
In Your Words: I’m keeping it short and sweet today. I’d love to have you share a compliment you received. Go ahead! You’re not bragging on yourself–you’re retelling what someone else said about you. And, besides, I asked!
Comments 14
Love this post, Beth. And loved being with you last week! For my compliment, it’s one that I received from my granddaughter several years ago, one that was double edged. She said, “You never say anything bad about other people.”
It warmed my heart to know I’d made such an impression on her and it was a challenge for me to keep her compliment true. More than once when I’ve been tempted to comment negatively about someone, her words ring in my ears and I keep my mouth shut. Not saying I do all the time, but I’m trying.
Pat, I think that’s one of the best compliments a person can ever receive! How precious that your granddaughter noticed this about you.
Besides lasting Ponderer hugs and encouragement, one editor who currently only publishes romance & historicals heard plots of my first 2 books and called them “riveting.” That’s fuel in my tank and I can work harder and longer.
That should last you a good two months and longer, Dee!
My son told me I was his mommy, his teacher and friend. What more could I ask for?
That is the compliment to top all compliments, Melissa!
You know I have a hard time knowing what to say in reply to compliments. But, like you, I never want to seem ungrateful. Never. So I stick with “thank you.” You can never go wrong with “thank you.”
Works for me, Evangeline! A lot of my friends loved meeting you this past weekend at the ACFW conference. I heard lots and lots of compliments about you!
This post was great, Beth. For me, it’s so much easier to remember the comments that show where I’ve fallen short than those that compliment. When I read this earlier, I couldn’t think of any compliments to share. But, someone above reminded me about one thing one of my kids says to me: “Mommy, you’re my best mommy!” I’ll take that. 🙂
Jeanne,
Sometimes we really have to stop and think, don’t we? And it’s so easy to hear the negative comments–and completely ignore the positive ones!
While chasing my son away from the fireplaces and trying to soothe him at a church retreat this weekend, a mother told me, “You’re a good mom.” I didn’t feel like it, but when my son (16-month-old) and I were able to fully participate in the activities we had a good time. Well, we had fun roaming around while everyone else participated too.
Stacy, I love it when moms compliment one another. We know how much we need it!! 🙂
Yesterday during our small group connected with our church, a young father complimented me publicly on hosting a weekly Bible study for young mothers. He even got emotional talking about how much it means to his wife, home with two toddlers all day. I thanked him, but quickly gave much of the credit to my good friend who keeps all the babies and toddlers so the rest of us can study and pray together. I realized that public compliments make it even harder to know how to respond than private ones.
Lanita,
It was generous of you to share the compliment … but I hope you take a moment to hug it to yourself too. Moms of young kids need all the encouragement they can get.