Last week kicked off with my roast and also included retirement parties for two colleagues of mine who I look up to. All of this happening in the span of a few days helped me to see how easy it is for me to tell others they are esteemed and how hard it is for me to receive it for myself.
But let me not beat myself up too much. It is a good thing that I delighted in embracing each of these men and telling them "hey everyone's here at this party because we love you," because it is good to be overflowing in gratitude for people who have been helpful to you and overflowing in the expression of that gratitude. And, it is a good thing to have some humility when you are the recipient of such praise, because it is true and not false humility that the reason for that praise is you but also many other people and circumstances and lucky breaks that made it all possible.
But, most of us do need to allow ourselves to receive the acclaim, and experience true gratitude for the kind expression, as well as an acknowledgement that "hey, I actually did that!" "Aw shucks" may feel appropriately modest, but it's unhealthy to be unable to sit in the recognition of a job well done and a life well lived.
Of course we all know people who are too full of themselves, and it is off-putting, and so it is natural to want to deflect praise and be demure. But sometimes we are the main character, and we should allow ourselves that spotlight.
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