I love the personality of a coffee shop. I’ve grown to adore the cozy feeling of the atmosphere that resides within a coffee shop. It feels as if I’m at home. The local artist’s masterpieces hang on the wall in a scattered array of vibrant colors as the aroma of coffee drifts through the air.
A coffee shop has sense of life. It’s own beat, rhythm, sound that aids creative minds that sit sipping their mochas. I love the way someone can seem to think more clearly when at a local coffee shop and for a few hours they are able to hum away to the Indie music and forget the busy sidewalk that lies just beyond the huge bay window.
As I look around the coffee shop I notice on the wall adjacent from me a compliment board. My eyes automatically zone in on one particular note. In the message my eyes focus on two particular words.
“Disgusting” and “Nasty”
I think instantly, “ How could you say that about this amazing coffee shop?”
I then began to read the entire note.
“I love this coffee shop. Your coffee is far from disgusting and nasty! I have told all my friends and family that this is the best place to get a cup of coffee. Great place, thank you!”
I started to think about what just happened. Why did I immediately look at those words out of all the compliments and positive things that were being said? Is it our human nature to always focus on the bad things that have been said instead of the compliments and the beauty that surrounds us daily?
Why is it so hard for us to receive a compliment? Do we feel unworthy of someone complimenting us? If so, then why do we shy away from someone else admiring us?
I know in my own personal experience it is very easy for me to give a compliment. I have battled with low self-esteem my entire life so when someone gives me a compliment I usually remark with something negative.
“Your hair is gorgeous!”
“ You should see it in the morning! It’s a huge frizzy mess.”
Wouldn’t it be easier for us to accept the compliment? To see the glass half full instead of having never been filled in the first place, an empty glass.
If we could receive compliments just as easy as we can give compliments do you feel like after awhile your personal insecurities would be replaced with a stable acceptance that you are worthy of praise, of admiration, and of love?
Just like a coffee shop we are filled with beautiful strengths and weaknesses. We display a different array of ourselves to everyone we come in contact with. We all have a compliment board, which exhibits what people admire about us. Let’s display those compliments and brush off the negative comments that you or someone else might think.
You ARE beautiful.
You ARE magnificent.
You ARE amazing.
