Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Collecting Compliments

Nothing lifts your spirits quite like a perfectly placed compliment.

Sometimes, it’s the one thing that makes a gray day great. Whether it’s the person, the circumstance, or the compliment itself, the very act of appreciation and recognition can brighten up anyone’s mood.

Certain compliments also remain with us many years afterwards. We replay them in our minds to give us strength, insight, or renewed courage.

I’d like to ask YOU what compliment you have received that meant a lot to you – one that remains memorable.

If you read my blog but never comment, I’d love to hear from you, too, and this is a perfect topic! What a way to pass around the rainbows and sunshine.

So, of course, this bring us to what compliments mean a lot to me, at least the ones I remember.

“I think you have really great shoulders.”
- Colleen, my cousin (when she was eight, and I was nine)

“You are the most affirmative person I know. When you’re around, I feel proud of myself, like I can do anything.”
- October, my college roommate

“Your mom’s really lucky to have a daughter like you.”
- Uncle Timmy (when I was a bridesmaid in Mom and Gary’s wedding)

This last compliment, by Uncle Timmy, came at the perfect time.

I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to direct the florist, help Mom get ready, and greet arriving guests.

In the back of my head, I was also thinking about how my relationship with my mother was going to change drastically after her wedding. I knew she would always love me, but now there would be someone new in her life taking up all that attention and love previously lavished on me.

I knew I was going to battle with selfishness towards sharing my mom. I had been praying for months that the Lord would help me be godly, caring, and unselfish toward Mom and especially Gary.

And just when I was feeling low, rushed, and a tad-bit unappreciated, Uncle Timmy’s compliment encouraged me.

I knew the Lord was working in my heart, so that I would be thinking of others, and THAT was what Uncle Timmy was noticing (certainly not my still-conflicted heart).

His compliment made me realize how fortunate I was to have such an incredible Mom and how happy I was that she was marrying such a wonderful and godly man as Gary. It helped me get through that day, and I still think of it when I need a little boost.

Now, it’s your turn! What have other people said that picked you up when you needed it, or that one positive comment you still remember to this day?

Tag, you’re it!

6 comments:

Juliet said...

Well...you of course have heard me say this and I will say it again. The one great compliment that got me through your Dad's death, was when several months before he died, he looked at me and said, "You're my best friend."

To me when a husband can look at this wife of 32 Years and say that..WOW. It still brings tears to my eyes. Love you, Mom

Alice said...

This is a great post. Probably my best compliment I can remember was when I was at least 7 months pregnant with my second baby, wearing crummy old sweats because I'd basically given up on life and my hair wasn't looking great either. Lucy, who was not quite 2 1/2 at the time, looked up at me lovingly and said, "Pretty Mommy." That felt pretty good! I guess love really is blind sometimes!

Jennittia said...

One of the best compliments I have ever received came yesterday. As you know from reading my blog, things have been pretty rough the last few weeks. An older man in the church (who is very dear to me and can say this kind of thing to me) told me how beautiful I have looked the last few weeks. He said it must be a reflection of the inside coming out, but that I have never shined like this before! It lifted my spirits so high, since I feel like I have just come through a war!

Wendy said...

When Fred and I first got married, I was outside playing with his 3-year old brother. Fred's grandma smiled and said, "she sure is going to make a good little mommy someday." That was so sweet. She died the next year and never got to meet our kids. I hope I lived up to her expectations.

SturgillMom said...

Well, this is on a more humorous note....Last night, I did something dumb and I said, "Oh, I am so retarded!" Mackenzie quickly piped in, "Mom, you're not THAT retarded!" BTW - thanks for letting me "borrow" your mom. I am sure that you are missing her, but we sure do appreciate her coming to help. The only bad thing is that she keeps making me laugh and it hurts so bad to laugh :)

Ann-Marie said...

Danielle - Mom IS funny - but is it "intentional" funny like she means to be, or is she making you laugh without meaning to, since that what she does to me! Ha! Ha! Mom will get a kick out of that!