Best Compliment

The one compliment that sticks out in my mind is one that I had gotten over text message from a previous co-worker. We hadn’t worked together for even a year, but she saw something in me; something that I had yet to discover for myself.

The best compliment one can receive is about who you are.

There’s nothing like a good compliment, whether it be about your outfit, your hair style, accessories, etc., but in my opinion, the best thing to be complimented on is your personality.

She was one of the best human beings I’ve ever met – so wholesome, genuine, kind, and overall just wonderful. Before I knew her, I was training to take over that job position. Unbeknownst to me and my supervisor, she had already been hired. I was a little upset, but it honestly all worked out for the better. She walked so that I could run.

Getting to know each other.

A few months in, and we had the opportunity to travel together for work. It was a five hour drive and I was nervous to say the least. But, her easy going personality quickly disarmed my apprehensiveness. We chatted about everything under the sun. I asked about her previous job experiences, and she gladly shared with me about her past.

She had an enormous amount of police training. She talked of her experiences traveling to other countries – staying weeks at a time, scuba diving, SWAT team training, police work, PR, and so much more that I’m forgetting. You know those magnetic, charismatic type of people that you just gravitate towards and instantly love? Yeah, that was her. Her amazing stories always left me in awe, and I hope to be even half the woman she is.

Her no BS attitude really shifted everyone’s thinking into what matters and what doesn’t. When you have an extensive background in police work, accidently getting the wrong drink does not even compare to a “bad day”.

She appeared seemingly out of nowhere, and left just as quickly. Even though we had worked together for less than a year, I felt like we had gotten to know one another pretty well. I looked up to her, and still do. We were all bummed, of course, but we all knew her heart belonged to Colorado.

I’m not used to getting compliments, especially about my personality.

Before she officially left, she reached out to me and expressed what she thought of me. It was unprompted, truly an “out of the blue” kind of moment, but it was such a great feeling.

I was a young adult, trying my best in everything I was doing, and she had recognized that and gave me props. She went on to encourage me to keep going, and that I had a future as a leader within that company.

I wish I would have saved it – it meant a lot, especially at the time. I screenshotted it, as I was going to print it off and frame it. (Yes, it was one of THOSE compliments.) Unfortunately, I was going through photos and clearing up space and must have deleted it, as I can no longer find it.

Either way, I will never forget how she made me feel about myself. It’s not every day someone makes you feel like you can take on the world and WIN.