If you struggle with your self esteem praise and compliments will be hard for you to accept. How often do you compliment others or do you receive praise?
Do you dismiss compliments and find them embarrassing or if not embarrassing, you struggle to know what to say?
Praise is a strange thing. We love to get recognition but worry about appearing conceited or arrogant. Often in our busy lives we fail to praise others, or worry that our praise will come across as disingenuous. Giving praise is free and expansive. It is like smiling; it is a way of expressing gratitude to another human being.
Praise is a great thing and should be spread liberally around. As human beings we all need recognition. Give praise where praise is due, as decided by you. Give with an open and honest intention in recognition of someone’s efforts. By looking for opportunities and then praising others you will lift yourself to a more generous and expansive place. Do not use this as a way to find inadequecies in yourself. Instead consider your similar efforts and how hard you try as well.
In the same way receive compliments with good grace. If someone thinks you have done a good job or made a great effort, even if it was easy for you, accept their judgement with kindness, in the spirit it was intended. To dismiss a compliment is to reject a gift from someone. Take that gift and enjoy it. Let if fill you with warmth and kindness. Keep it for yourself until you can pass it on as another compliment to someone else.
Praise yourself! When you work hard and stretch yourself make sure you recognise your efforts. Success is hard so be proud of all your achievements – no matter how small you may think they are – they add up to who you are. If you have certain talents or gifts and you use them it is important that you don’t dismiss these as well. Those with low self esteem tend to spend a lot of time knocking their skills and achievements and being very hard on themselves. Do you see yourself as never good enough no matter what you do achieve? Yes, you may have areas for improvement – everyone does – but don’t forget to see the good in yourself as well.
