National Compliment Day

This might seem a bit off subject, but I just heard this on the radio. Its National Compliment Day. This just got me to thinking since I am one of those people that just has no clue how to take a compliment. Like if someone says to me "I like your sweater", and then I'm like 'oh this old thing? I found it in the dumpster out back'. (No, I do not really wear clothes from a dumpster) or they might say something even more personal like "You are really pretty" and then I'm yelling in my head 'OMG, I am so not pretty. Don't you see this jelly roll for a tummy?' The point is I automatically find something negative to affix to the compliment to help myself not feel so awkward. The problem with that is I think I don't respond in a positive way to the person giving the compliment, making the situation even more awkward. I totally think that there should some sort of class you can take to learn how to accept a compliment and not come off as some egomaniac.

Now that I have lost a decent amount of weight, I do receive quite a few compliments from time to time about my weight loss. I do respond to those compliments a bit better. I suppose its because I've worked really hard to get to where I am and in a way I feel like saying 'hellz yeah I look awesome! Do you have any idea how many push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks and mountain climbers I've done? You better be saying I look awesome!' ha ha Anyone who knows me would tell you I am not that obnoxious when I talk. If I talk. I'm actually quite shy. Which probably helps me to excel at making compliments awkward. Anyway, I normally respond positively when someone asks if I have lost weight or says that I am looking good. Maybe it's because I feel I have earned that compliment. Unlike the nice sweater or you are beautiful compliments. I didn't do anything to earn those compliments, other than maybe going to a store and searching out the sweater however many eons ago that was (none of my current sweaters are younger than 2 years old! ). Or trying to use the newest make up application techniques to give the appearance of being beautiful. See, even now I'm downplaying beauty. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And in my eyes, I am not the beholder.

Funny how National Compliment Day can play into a body image dilemma isn't it? The thing is, when you lose weight, no matter the reasoning you have for losing the weight, it does bring up issues such as body image, self confidence and any number of other emotional issues. You are forced to deal with them, which does make for some much needed healing. I have long battled with depression and a very bad self image. Even though I do not blame my problems on my childhood, I know that some of them are deeply rooted there. I had a step-mother who would tell me I was stupid, fat and ugly quite often. After you hear that for years you tend to believe it. Even though I am in my thirties now, I still have days where I look in the mirror and hear her voice and totally believe her. Now, I know I am not any of those things. I am a good person, I am smart, I might be over weight, but I am working on that. I am not ugly either. When I have those feelings, when I hear that voice, that's when I know its time to work out. Then when I look at myself in the mirror, I feel much better about myself.

I will try harder to take compliments better. They are positive things and shouldn't make you feel all weirded out right? Compliments should help you feel better about yourself. I think I will make it my mission to compliment every person I come in contact with today. Perhaps if I give compliments I can observe how people accept compliments and learn the proper etiquette.