I used to say thanks but....

Until I met a crisis center therapist. She figured out that every time anyone gave me a compliment I did that.. she had ample opportunity to witness this because I worked for a college that loaned out classrooms for the crisis centers workshops and training sessions.

She got me good. She made my accepting compliments with just saying thank you and no buts a goal for one week, and then every chance she got she came in to the office and say something nice to me, "your hair looks nice today" "that shirt looks great on you" Thank you for setting the room up for extra people that was thoughtful of you." "That poem you just wrote was fantastic" and I would say thanks but... and she would be right there saying "no buts just say thankyou." my friends who worked in the office with me knew why I saw her and and she knew I was very open with them otherwise she wouldnt have done this. My friends thought this was funny and joined in. "you did a great job on waxing the lounge this weekend" "Why didn't I think of that? You are so smart."

By the end of that week it was habit for me to smile and say "thank you" as time went on I expanded that with "thank you I'm glad you noticed" "thank you very much" and so on.

even now someone compliments me I just asy thank you and enjoy getting the compliments because JEH and my friends showed me that getting complmented isnt suppesed to be followed by getting hurt. Its really great thing and meant to be enjoyed and they made that week so much fun in how they came up with so many funny ways to compliment me - How can you not laugh and say thank you when someone is complimenting you on a great floor wax job while sockskating and at the very end of the compliment land do a gymnastics move and final pose.