“I trust you”
And that is the best compliment I’ve ever received
From…
my grandmom
my Mom
my Husband
my Son
my friends
my teachers
People who hardly know me, but trust me to give them the right answer when they email me
My Clients – who have no doubt I’ll come through when they have an emergency
Compliments are gifts. Powerful gifts that shape us, slowly but surely.
I Trust You
From teachers…one compliment can change a student’s life.
I fondly remember my own teachers when I write this. I went through six schools in different places from Grade 1 to 12 and had the privilege of being influenced and loved by my teachers.
When I think back on some really tough times, I am overwhelmed by the support I’ve always received.
I particularly remember this time – back in 1983 when I ran away from home. Long story – but when I returned home – it was Jan 26. Needless to say, the family was furious.
Oh, so you want to know why I ran away – my relatives wanted to get me married off to a 45 year old guy. And you know how old 45 seems to a 20 year old. No amount of saying no convinced my folks. So I did the only thing I thought was effective. Stupid, but well, I saw no other way.
When I returned, my Mom received me with open arms and said “I trust you”. Obviously I had to resume college and I was scared-embarrassed. Everyone knew I had run away. I felt I couldn’t face my classmates. Everyone would look at me as “that girl”
But imagine my stunned surprise when my teachers were there, waiting to hug me and welcome me back to class. My Genetics professor took me in her arms, let me cry and when I calmed down, she said, “I trust you”.
Those three words were enough. I graduated with honors. My folks didn’t doubt that I wouldn’t – but it was a difficult time with my Grandmother’s health taking a turn for the worse and we were all worried. I would sit with her as soon as I returned from college and read aloud to her – from my Zoology text books. I remember, even today, how she would gently smile at me, grope for my hand squeeze it and tell me she trusted me to do well.
When I think back, none of life’s struggles stand out. The encouragement and compliments I received do, though. Prominently. Just like how we go through all kinds of crazy stuff in school but long after we’ve left it behind, only the good times stay in our memory. And so it is with all aspects of life.
My son thinks I can fix anything. He trusts me implicitly and tells me often. It fills my heart.
It is the same with my husband, my friends and most of the people I interact with. Why, even Vidur’s school teachers think they can rely on me and trust me to turn up at short notice for any program they want me to preside over.
It is a great feeling to be trusted. One of my bosses would laugh and say people took me for a ride by saying that. I don’t think so.
What can I say? I am grateful. I take it as a compliment when people think they can trust me.
Compliments are like verbal sunshine
The one thing that makes me laugh uncontrollably is when my young neighbors think I’ll never let them down when they have a school project or need materials for one!
What is the best compliment you’ve received?
Please share with me!
We are celebrating National Compliment Day over at our Write Tribe blog with a link up! Please join us!
Take one!
Namaste!
I am glad you are here. May your day be filled with smiles!
For a regular dose of happiness, subscribe via RSS in your feed reader
or get updates in your email inbox