Compliments and Validation

I love compliments. I mean, who doesn't? But does someone's compliments validate who I believe myself to be, or who I am? Eh. It feels great to receive a positive response about a haircut, an outfit, or a project. Now, I can't say that I've gone out of my way to seek compliments to validate who I am. But I'm not one to dispute someone who speaks well of me. 

Can compliments and validation co-exist harmoniously? Absolutely. I think what happens, though, is that we may seek compliments for every little thing. We may forget that, while we all need to improve on something, we are enough as we are. In many ways, the world owes us nothing, nor is it always open to giving you what you want to hear. That's why we need to encourage ourselves, as your own awesomeness reflection radiates to the world. Complicated, I know. 

But, one thing we must remember is that we have to know our own self-worth, knowing that compliments shouldn't be your sole source of validation, but a compliment TO your own self-worth and self-validation. Love you because you're the best and only you out there, imperfections and "got-it-together"!

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.