ACCEPTING COMPLIMENTS
The following text is what was read for the Development Group. The author is Richard Milne and portrays his views on the subject. Some content may be paraphrased or re-used with permission.This does not mean it is the only way that this subject may be interpreted, as each Spiritualist is an Individual and will read, comprehend and understand any written information differently. This is the beauty of Spiritualism; no one person can claim to have all the answers!
ACCEPTING COMPLIMENTS
I will not waste my time giving you another compliment if you throw the last one back at me.
If you are given a positive, never turn it into a boot for kicking the giver’s guts with; accept your compliment with grace and humility.
Spirit gives us many gifts. One of the greatest is compliments genuinely given by another, who values us as real people.
I do not give out compliments as mere baubles. I mean every good thing I say about others. For the same reason, I don’t want them thrown back at me.
Some people do genuinely have difficulty accepting compliments. This may be for a myriad of reasons. Some have little self-worth; others have only ever experienced negative feedback. There are always exemptions to the rule.
As a rule though, I do believe that most people tend to, for some obscure reason negate the positive. I may tell someone I really enjoyed their insight into a particular situation; only to be told they don’t think their thoughts worthy of consideration. Why did I just sit there listening to them if they are not worth listening to and considering? I have heaps better things to do than listen to drivel, believe me.
Having a compliment thrown back like that makes me feel I have been literally kicked in the guts, my belly goes tense and I have feelings ranging between confusion and anger. The feeling often dependent upon the particular situation and/or person involved.
If you ever find yourself being given a compliment, please accept it in the love with which it is given. Have you ever considered that Spirit may well have had a hand in giving you exactly what you needed to hear at that particular point of your life’s journey? Your guides know better than me what you need to hear.
How many of you have been suddenly inspired to give a total stranger a compliment, out of the blue? I know I have blurted out what, at the time, seemed a ridiculous thing; given I hardly knew the person involved, only to have that person be enthused at my insightfulness. ‘Twasn’t insightfulness, believe me, it was my guides giving me the right words. The more I look at such things the more amazed I am at how Spirit work with and through us.
Other times I have been genuinely pleased at someone’s ability and/or wisdom and told them so. Only to be told it’s not really true; it’s just a fluke; that they are not really that good; they didn’t do anything…. Etc.
So; if you ever talk to me and I give you a loving, complimentary comment; think it’s from and thank Spirit for using me as their tool to pass on something positive for you. If you are talking with me and suddenly have me tell you off for throwing back my compliment; think of this little bit of wisdom that Spirit has given me to share with you. Then apologize for throwing back the compliment and accept it with the love with which it was given.
LOVE N LIGHT TO YOU ALL