Translating compliments

I love a compliment! I've just finished dinner with some of my best friends, they know me well enough to know that the payment for me cooking must be made in appreciative noises, I'm lucky they are willing to play along and I'm arrogant enough about my cooking to believe them.  This is something I never question, as far as I'm concerned it's science A+B= Delicious food, it's not really about me.  I have some skill and some excellent recipes and the 2 come together to make things right.  I don't put any spin on what is said I just accept that the response will be positive.

In comparison, the way I react to a personal compliment can rest in a million variables, leading me to question and dissect every comment made, looking for the double edged sword. My mood becomes my translator, for good and sometimes ill.  I think this is true of most people, we take to heart things that were meant frivolously and make them a part of the DNA of our future choices.  Sometimes this is a good thing but it can also cause us to reject possibilities that may be better for us.  

The next time you receive a compliment just listen to the words, don't over think it, stop translating and start listening to what is actually being said.  It's said that only 20% of communication is verbal - which I agree with but that's a big percentage to totally ignore or replace with your own distorted image.  Especially if that distortion is based on the fact you didn't sleep well, had a row with your significant other or the dress you wanted to wear has been eaten by a moth.  There are very few people in this world who hand out compliments for no reason, I know I haven't met one yet.  So the next time, you are given a compliment take it to your heart and polish it like a jewel, stop questioning it and accept it as, A+B = truth.