Don't Take That Away From Me

Text Version:

Hey everyone, this is Kirby Hasseman for the Monday Minute.

My daughter was being kind.  She had just paid me a compliment.  She said, “You look nice daddy.”  While her intentions were good, my mind was telling me that her kind words were not true.  So I used an old jujitsu move that deflected the compliment.  “Not really, honey.  I need a haircut.”  Then I saw the dejected look in her face and I realized something important.  I was being a complete jerk.

This happened years ago but the lesson is still painfully clear to me.  Compliments are often hard to accept…but we need to do it anyway. 

Why?  Because while this may sound strange, when someone gives you a compliment…it’s not JUST about you.  When someone gives you a compliment, it actually makes them feel good too!  They are excited at how those kind words might make you feel.  They have reached out.  They have shown courage.  And by deflecting the compliment, you steal that joy from both of you.  When you don’t accept the compliment…you are being a jerk.

Now I know, we often struggle with compliments and we think it’s out of humility.  But that’s a cop-out.  When you receive a compliment, you don’t have to step up on a ladder, puff out your chest, and say “I am awesome.”  That’s not the point.  You just need to accept it.  Say thank you.  It’s that simple.

When you don’t…you are stealing joy from the person who gave it to you.  Don’t take that away from them. 

Thanks so much for watching the Monday Minute.