The burden of compliments

Yesterday I got the best compliment ever. Two of the senior skaters at the Wednesday morning old timers' session said my crossovers were just like they should be and (bonus!) my timing and rhythm were perfect. I was shocked and very pleased. This came from two women, one in her 80's and the other in her 90's, both accomplished skaters.

Don't we all love to hear a positive comment about what we're doing? Yep. The downside is that I get sort of nervous when the praise sinks in; I get flustered, loose my balance, stumble. That's the usual result of a compliment, a virtual land mine. Compliments from other skaters carry a lot more weight than those from casual observers. As a defense when a fellow skater compliments me, especially if I'm just squirreling around practicing some footwork I admonish them, "Shhh! You're going to hex me." Of course I only use this response with people whom I expect to understand this sassy retort. For strangers, children and non-skaters I say thank you, smile. Ah! I love skating.