Learn to take a compliment

I have had some pretty amazing experiences in the last couple weeks, things that have made me wonder if everything falls into place, that nothing that could be attributed to coincidence actually is. Some things, some people, some experiences just fit. Stop second guessing it and let it flow.

My biggest issue, by far, is the way I feel about myself, particularly on the outside. Honestly I am not sure how to change that.

But a few weeks ago I was walking across the gym parking lot and I look up to see a guy holding the door open for me. I was still quite a ways away, so I started kind of jogging toward the door, and he hollers "You don't have to hurry!" I get to the door and it is this sweet Hispanic guy, probably in his 50s, and I tell him "Thank you." And before I walk in he asks, "Do you know what they call your hair color in Mexico?" To which I reply, thinking I'm smart and I know exactly what he's going to say, "rojo?" (red).

"Canela," he says, and paused a moment for effect while I tried to figure it out, "cinnamon." And then I am sure I said something super corny, I can't recall right now, but he just smiled, and as he started to walk away he smiled and said, "it's beautiful."

Now, if you know me well, you can imagine what that meant to me. Going to the gym is rough for me, I can't really wear a hat there, and there are so many beautiful people there. I damn near have a panic attack just thinking about going there. (But I am determined to conquer that fear, so I continue to go, but that is another entry for another day.)

It was sweet, and it was sincere. Of course I have had friends and family tell me I am beautiful, but c'mon, your friends and family are not going to tell you you're ugly, by association they kind of have to spare my feelings, no offense to those who have told me that, I know you mean well, and I try to believe, I really do! I promise! But this guy had no obligation, no reason to stop me and say that other than sincerity. It was just such a nice gesture.

I wish more people were like that, kind, honest . . . can you imagine how much better this world would be if we all gave a complete stranger a compliment once a day? Or just randomly did something nice for someone else with no strings attached?

And ladies, learn how to take a compliment. If a guy tells you you're beautiful, don't immediately think he is a creeper or that he is hitting on you. Chivalry is not dead, women just need to learn how to not think all guys are assholes or want to get into their pants.