Today, I was washing out my coffee mug at the little kitchenette near my office, and a co-worker came up to me and started chatting. I should mention that it’s pretty hot out today, so I’m wearing a sleeveless top and my arms are showing. Scandalous! Anyway, this co-worker mentioned how she was on Facebook and saw an old and a new picture of me, and that she really admired the transformation I had made. We chatted, I told her about CrossFit, about my weight loss related to serious stress a few years ago, and how I’m probably the most fit I’ve ever been.
I mean, look at those pictures, you guys. I know it’s not a crazy transformation of any kind, but look at how I’m uncomfortably crossing my arms over my stomach. I’ve got an at-risk chin (thank you, Amy Schumer, for that term). And the picture where I’m about to shove deep-fried mac-and-cheese into my chubby little cheeks. There’s so much wrong with that picture! Clearly, I was not caring for my body. Please, please do not misinterpret this for body shaming. I do truly believe that everyone should be happy in their own skin. But this is physical evidence of how I was caring for myself, nights on the couch watching TV with plates of quick-fix meal crap. And it showed.
But I digress.
I want to point out two really important things here:
1. I’m getting better at accepting compliments.
I’ve never been very good at being gracious. When people give me compliments, I get embarrassed. But why? I’m not even kidding you, more than once, someone has commented on my arms (“Look at them guns!”) and I quickly put my arms down and apologize. Guys. What’s the matter with me? I’ve worked hard for this. I should say, “Wow, thanks for noticing.” And today, that’s what I tried to do! Yay!
2. Compliments are like the best thing ever, and we should all give them more often.
It’s like the easiest random act of kindness ever. This compliment and short conversation totally made my day, and I really think I need to start making an effort to give out more compliments, too. Because they are awesome. And I want to make people’s days.
Let’s all make a little goal to give out some nice compliments over the next week and bring a little joy to our own little worlds.
