When someone finds you brilliant, peaceful, or attractive, accept their opinion rather than your own.
~ Alan Cohen
Here’s another Alan Cohen quote. I just love Alan Cohen! I particularly like this quote because I’m always surprised when people compliment me because usually I’m bashing myself with my own negative self-talk and my internal chatter.
I had read this quote the morning of a day when I was repeatedly complimented on my smarts and my looks. I finally decided to take this quote to heart and accept these other opinions of me. It felt so good!
I inherently know that I’m pretty and I know that I’m bright, and I definitely am very gracious in accepting compliments with a simple Thank You. But I know I don’t often BELIEVE them. Or I find that my other (perceived?) flaws way way overshadow those positive aspects of myself. And I don’t think I’m alone in this. I think a great many of us have so much negative self-talk going on that we often can’t see the absolute truths about ourselves. And that’s sad. Truly.
So, starting today, I’m going to try to silence that booming voice in my head that quashes all the compliments and instead I’m going to repeat Alan’s quote until it is drilled into my stubborn head! I think my life will be so much more enjoyable if I do. How about you? Does your internal chatter deter you from the truth??
Angels Bark 
I try!
LikeLike
me too! It’s harder than it sounds, isn’t it???
LikeLike
Love the quote and Yes my internal chatter nips at my heels. I always try to not listen but harder than it looks. My hubby on the other hand accepts with a big fat grin, says “I know”, pats his stomach and continues on. I can learn from him
LikeLike
Your husband sounds like a happy guy! Good for him! Yes, we all need that same self-acceptance. The world would be such a better place if we all could learn to accept and love ourselves. Thanks for stopping by Birgit.
LikeLike
I usually listen to what others say though I think sometimes it boosts my ego more than it should.
Lee
LikeLiked by 1 person
as long as your head still fits through the doorway, you’re in good shape! 🙂
LikeLike
Wow, props to you! I wish you luck on your quest! I have a very hard time accepting compliments, but one thing at a time for me. ha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Madilyn! I find it hard every day. I don’t know how the negative voice got so loud…and interestingly, the older I get, the louder it becomes. I used to have tons of self-confidence. Somewhere along the way, it has run away…
One thing at a time works so keep it up! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
LikeLike
Love this – our own fears and doubts are usually louder than the compliments others give us. And I don’t think it’s that another’s opinion is more true or valuable than our own, it’s that the perspective is different. It should teach us to look for the value, the beauty, the brilliance, and the brightness within ourselves rather than focus on our perceived flaws, our fears and doubts. This is very important – especially for women. Thank you for this. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
So true Lynn! I think the problem gets really bad when our perceived flaws become our reality so that every time we look in the mirror, all we are capable of seeing is the distorted image that has been manufactured by our self-image. It’s a tragic problem for today’s woman. Every woman I talk to has issues about self-image. It’s rare to come across one who doesn’t. I hope this changes sometime very very soon. Thanks for stopping by Lynn! Great to see you! ❤
LikeLike
Way to go Michele! ❤ That's a great quote and I love how you brought up something that is really important–BELIEVING a complement as well as accepting it. I have a very difficult time in believing the good things people say about me, thinking that they're only saying that to be nice. But that's not fair to me or to them. Great post my friend! Thank you!
LikeLike
Thanks Renata! I was just thinking of you the other day. We’re due for a catch-up chat! Yes, believing the compliments is the biggest hurdle to get over…but even then, the echoes of that voice seem to nag away at our spirit. It’s our spirit that it splinters and can eventually break. I just need to quit spending so much time in my head! 🙂
Great to see you here! Thanks for stopping by! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
My internal chatter is very loud as well. Love this quote!
LikeLiked by 1 person