In February, she turned to me. When she reached out to me she had VERY specific questions ready. It was obvious she already had a specific something in mind. So I couldn't wait to see what she was thinking the next morning when she posted what she wrote.
Then more recently, I asked for some technical advice regarding a personal project. Two friends, really little more than acquaintances at the time drove multiple hours to show up at my house with tools and materials to work on the project. One told me matter of factly what reason for coming he had given the lady in his life. It was a statement of what he thought of me.
Then there was the reason a company big wig wanted to hire me for a recent job. His thinking had little to do with technical skill.
These three people all had something in common. I'm sure they've never heard of each other and will likely never meet. They each are privy to different parts of who I am.
What they share is that the compliments they gave me not only seemed sincere, but all spoke to who I would want to be and endeavour to be.
All three saw something in me without any previous discussion with me that reflected not what I believe of myself, but what I would like to be.
Those are true compliments that will stay with me for some time. I know they are true because they had no ready way of knowing that what they had to say was something I would want to hear. The only evidence these folks had that I would be pleased to hear what they had to say is that they saw these traits in me.
Flattery can be fun. Fishing for compliments can feel good. But when we simply and quietly live the way we know is best, those compliments will be a trustworthy commentary.