Compliments Tendered

For all that I enjoy giving compliments in a manner both over-the-top and sincere, I have a difficult time accepting compliments. Nowhere is this more evident than when I am playing soccer. During my most recent game, my coach complimented me during half-time; he said I was playing a solid game and I hadn’t cleared too many balls straight out. I was pleased of course but I could think only of all the balls that I had missed. When I went out onto the field again for the second half I had a hard time focusing and felt oddly self-conscious.