I just got the best compliment of my life: I don’t write like a dry cracker.

When my roommate gave me this compliment, we burst out laughing. Apparently, crackers are dry, colorless, and “not so interesting.” And I don’t write like that. You can probably imagine how happy I was after Amanda told me this.

It reminds me how much light and joy you can bring someone just by turning a thought into words. That moment when you’re thinking something kind about someone and then actually decide to say it out loud. Usually, I try to vocalize the compliment when I notice I’m thinking it. But still I don’t always do it. I get shy, or I think, “Never mind.”

Why is that? In a way, I think I’m insecure about the other person’s response.
Will they think I’m weird? Or that I’m flirting with them instead?

And then there’s the receiving end of a compliment. I can get so clumsy when someone gives me one. Instead of just saying “thank you”, I either ‘act cool’ and pretend it doesn’t affect me while in reality my ego boosts too much or I’m turning into a bright red tomato from shyness. Or my other common response, is that I start rambling about random things like where I bought the skirt or why my presentation turned out well for example.

Silly, silly me.

Note to self: Always vocalize the compliment, because not doing it is simply a waste of bringing someone light and joy. And next time you receive one yourself, just say thank you.