Accept all compliments by saying thank you

We are all taught from a young age that when someone gives you a compliment. The polite thing to respond with is, thank you. Somehow, as we grow older those two simple words become difficult to produce from our lips. We duck, dodge, and toss away our compliments as if they are missiles quickly approaching us with the intent to do harm and not good. I myself have been known to give away my compliment credits by depositing them to others. It was never me, I just do what I can, where I can.

Why do I struggle to respond in kind? I think there is a part of me that hears a compliment and refuses to believe that I did something worthy enough of such recognition. Maybe, I need to work on my confidence or see myself through the lens of how others view me and my work. By now you should have figured out that I am my worst critic. I slice and dice my decisions and choices with the expertise of the final two contestants on a Gordon Ramsey cooking show. I don't need to look for bullies because I am really good at beating me up in my quest to be perfect. I'll save that rabbit hole for another day.

Instead I want to focus on this one mission. I will no longer un-accept my compliments. I will look the person in the eyes and say thank you. I won't use self talk to diminish the kind words I receive. I will openly accept my recognition. I will practice saying thank you. After all, isn't it rude to not accept a compliment. Doesn't that make the person giving you a compliment feel like they were mistaken? If you are reading this and you suffer from this same affliction. I would challenge you to do the same thing. Accept and reply with those two simple words - Thank you.