Nice

“Excuse me,” said someone behind me. I turned around. A young man who had been working quietly for hours had approached the reference desk. “Yes?” “I just wanted to say … you are so nice.” He must have overheard me working with another patron. I smiled and thanked him. And kept smiling. While I would like to say that the work is its own reward, it is not enough when so many other negative things detract from it. Compliments like this buoy me for days.

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Posted on 27 May 2010 | 3 comments

restroom

I stepped off the 19 Polk with a mad grin.  The driver had been brilliant, announcing all the stops and transfer points, and even complimenting riders as they stepped onto the bus. “I love those boots, girl!” “C’mon up, beautiful!” She told me she loved my hat and called me cute as I thanked her and hopped off. Trader Joe’s was aflutter with pre-dinner preparations. The cashier tried to make small-talk with the women in front of me, but they were dour and busy. He gave me a look and a shrug as if to say, I tried. He, too, complimented my hat, so I thanked him, and we exchanged those small pleasantries that make the line go faster. As I was waiting for the 27 Bryant in an unfamiliar part of town, a young man, scruffy but cogent,...

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Posted on 9 Apr 2009 | 1 comment

complimented

Today I received a compliment of such magnitude that I can barely internalize it, hours later.  It caused me to think deeply about self-worth, and how we decide whether or not we “deserve” compliments. I put that in quotes because I wonder if it is relevant what we decide about someone else’s opinion.  A genuine compliment is paid regardless of the agreement of the recipient. For much of my life, I have struggled with the concept of what I deserve versus what I receive.  With few exceptions, I have been what some have called blessed with good fortune, and that, coupled with a strong Roman Catholic upbringing, comes no small amount of concern that I have not earned it. Yet we earn compliments without having to agree with them. It would be...

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Posted on 14 Dec 2008 | 2 comments