As for your post, it's right on. My boyfriend can definitely vouch for my inability to take compliments. For me, I know that my actions are the cause of self-consiciousness and lack of confidence, which are things I'm working on. People can compliment you until the cows come home, but if you don't believe what they're saying in your heart, their words essentially fall on deaf ears.

I'm reading a great book as part of my quest for greater confidence (insert super hero music here), and there's chapter that is very relevant to this post. The author sets up a (somewhat corny) visual called a Confidence Account. Every time we say something to or about ourselves, we either withdraw from or deposit to that account. The problem is that most people withdraw more than they deposit. I think if we all make an effort to switch that around, it'll be easier for us to graciously accept the compliments people give us. That's my two cents! Thanks for such a great contribution to the Revolution!

I think that our emotions are more complex and the line runs deeper. It dives deep into our brain cells, really to how we're built versus men. Maybe we have more insecurities naturally, but either way, it saddens me. I have some best friends that don't take a compliment when I tell them how good they look and it just hurts the giver when the receiver doesn't accept. Hmm..maybe worth looking into!

What you mention is an extremely important point, and what I think a lot of my guy friends were bringing up as I talked to them. When you care about someone (either romantically in love or just caring as a friend and person) it hurts that they don't believe enough in you and your words to believe in themselves.

Its unfortunate that the problem seems to run more rampant in the female gender than with guys. Why is it that we are so conditioned to not accept positive things about ourselves without a caveat attached?