Graciously Accepting Compliments

Good morning guys. First I would like to say check out the pull on the sidebar to the left. If you could give me an answer there, that would be awesome. That way, I know who my main audience is and I can better target my writing towards you guys.

Ok, now to the topic at hand: compliments. I've always had trouble with compliments. When I was getting fitted for my band uniform a year ago, the instructor commented on how I had "the body of a model." I couldn't accept this and went on to talk about how my legs were too lanky and my waist wasn't slim enough and bla bla bla.

This seems to be a recurring theme for me. I just can't accept compliments. I always feel like I have to shoot them down or I have to make a return compliment, even better than the one they gave me if I can. It just feels selfish for someone to say something like "what a nice shirt" and for me to be like. "...yeah, it is an awesome shirt." Or I often feel like it's kinda like indirectly bragging.

Casey always talks about how pretty/sexy/hot/beautiful I am and I can't ever accept it. My mom says I need to learn to graciously accept compliments.

Well, I was texting with a friend last night and we were just chatting and then he said something that surprised me. (This friend is an ex bulimic, and we talk sometimes, so he knows about my ED.) "The other day in class I caught myself staring at your legs. Very attractive indeed. Not the thunder thighs you claimed the other day! Take the compliment." I followed his instructions and utilized my mother's advice and simply said a simple thanks. And it felt good. I let myself feel good. And it didn't feel selfish, it felt genuine.

But is there a line? When does it go from simply being gracious to being selfish/braggy/hot headed/hoitty toitty? I don't know.

I guess the moral of the story is we all can pick ourselves to pieces and find something wrong with anything nice someone may say about us. But if they say it, it probably has some sliver of truth to them and we need to be gracious and accepting. I mean, if someone bought you a gift, would you give it back because you thought it had flaws? Of course not! I think that's kinda like compliments.

Just something to think about I guess.