Embarrased By Compliments?

Have you ever felt uncomfortable receiving a compliment?

When someone showers you with praise, do you throw a compliment awkwardly right back?

Or do you look for a way out, find the exit and make an excuse?

Many of us were not recognized for who we really are when we were smalll. If you were not raised in a warm, loving, spiritually aware household, you probably never felt comfortable being yourself.

As we mature, it takes tremendous courage to be seen and heard. It takes a lot of strength to come out in the world as who you really are, not who they told you you should be.

Then when someone sees you, or hears you, and really gets you, it can feel uncomfortable. They want you to know how wonderful you are, but you may not believe it’s true the first time you hear it.

You may not like it even. That discomfort is because it is not familiar. No one gave you that kind of positive feedback when you were young, and perhaps there was even negative feedback any time you tried to be yourself.

In order to get comfortable being yourself, being seen, heard and celebrated, it’s going to take some practice.

Begin by imagining yourself in a beautiful place right now, someplace you love to go in meditation, surrounded by beauty, that is grounding and feels safe for you.

In this beautiful space be here by taking a few, long, slow relaxing breaths.

Enjoy being here.

Take in the beauty around you.

Just be here.

As you get comfortable find something you love about this sacred space. Maybe you are imagining you are sitting beside a mountain stream, so focus on the stream.

Perhaps you love a bird perched nearby in a tree. Or you love the tree, or the mountain.

Whatever it is, focus on this one thing and contemplate what you love about it.

What is it about the stream that you love? The color? The sound? What about it’s essence speaks to you? Does it exude peace? Tranquility? Beauty?

Keep going thinking of all the qualities you love about whatever your heart chooses.

Take a breath as you wrap up your contemplation.

Then I would like you to give these compliments to that which you admire. Talk to the stream, or bird or tree or mountain, or ocean…

Go ahead and shower it with praise. Let your words flow, Give it your love and appreciation in words.

After your words have flowed and you have given your praise, sit back and notice if the bird, ocean, stream, tree, etc, changes in anyway, shape or form.

Does it get smaller from embarrassment? Does it get bigger, because you’ve built it up?

Or does it just shine a little brighter, but still continue to be the same as it was. Maybe it feels good being appreciated, but does it become something other than what it was?

It is still the stream, the bird, the tree…

Think about yourself. When someone sees you for who you really are, that is all that is happening. You are being you. You have an essence that you give to the world, no matter what you are doing. When someone recognizes and appreciates that essence, it’s nice, but it doesn’t have to change you. You don’t have to change yourself to feel safe, either.

Instead of feeling the discomfort, try imagining the stream, tree or mountain. You may feel a little brighter if you allow yourself to absorb the love. You may find you are less scared being yourself, and let go of the energy you were using to keep yourself hidden.

Know you are meant to be you. It’s so simple, but our fears and anxieties say it isn’t safe. And maybe there have been people and places that could not love and appreciate you for who you are.

But know to me you are like the stream, the moutain, the ocean, the tree…you are you, and that is enough.

I hope you fnd the courage to be yourself in the world. And then let yourself be recognized. Allow yourself to absorb the recognition when it comes. When others want to celebrate you, as you, let it sink in.

You don’t have to run.
Remember the tree and stand your ground.

You don’t have to get smaller. Remember the stream and keep flowing.

You don’t have to deflect and throw a compliment back, just remember the moutain and be strong enough to receive.

You can be you.

You are wonderful, beautiful, amazing just the way you are.

I love that about you!

No need to be embarrassed. Get used to the compliments, and let them come!

It may take some practice, but in time it will get easier to be yourself.

The more you love yourself for yourself, just as you are, the more you will attract others into your life who love and appreciate you as you are as well.

Let go of the fear, and be you.