Why You Should Learn To “Just Take It”

When I was younger, my self-esteem issues were rampant. They unconsciously controlled just about every social interaction I was in, and I didn’t even know it. Whenever I received a compliment, I always felt compelled to respond by giving a reason for the compliment.

Other: “Wow, the blue in your eyes really stand out today!”

Me: “Yeah that’s because of the shirt I’m wearing.”

Or…

Other: “I really like your hair today.”

Me: “I tried styling it differently using some gel and a trick I learned from the person who cut my hair.”

Or…

Other: “I really like the way you treated that homeless person with compassion.”

Me: “Everybody has tough times, and I’m glad to be able to help a little bit.”

Now all of those examples seem benign normal social interactions. However, they’re MISSING something very important.

In each of them there is an unconscious lack of self-confidence. It might be huge. It might be small. That depends on the person.

How might this be?

In each of those interactions there is an explanation -why- we are the way we are. In those examples, I was trying to *justify* a good quality about myself because deep down I believed that being me simply wasn’t “enough.”

It wasn’t enough for me to just take it and say “Thank you.”

No.

Because I felt inadequate, I had to create a reason why the compliment could be “allowed.” It wasn’t allowed as it was, on its own, simply because another person was appreciating me.

Part of me felt unworthy enough to receive the appreciation. I felt unconsciously “not good enough” to be complimented authentically. I couldn’t take it. Rather than just saying “Thank you,” I had to rationalize (give “rational lies”) to cover over my perceived inadequacy.

So many of us don’t fully receive compliments from others. We gloss them over. We don’t take them in. We don’t allow other peoples’ appreciation to personally affect us. We have difficulty just being seen and acknowledged for the amazing Divine beings that we are.

It took me years to learn to say “Thank you” when receiving a compliment. Now, however, I always do my best to receive the compliment and let it land with me. No rationalization. No explanation. No reason why. I just simply last in the present moment so that I can receive the gift that another person has given me.

In that spirit, I have a challenge for you:

For the next few days, whenever you receive a compliment, limit your reply to making eye contact with that person and saying “Thank you” with a smile. Nothing more.

I challenge you to see what you discover when you “just take it.”