I am proud of you...

A friend of mine posted a couple of days ago a little something that has gotten my dander up...She states:

"I wish people would stop telling me they are "proud of me". I have always been great. The people I have surrounded myself have always seen the greatness that lives within me. I came to Chicago 8 years ago with two suitcases, 200.00 in my pocket and a dream. I've overcome obstacles, challenges, and have been resilient because I had no other choice. When you tell me you are proud of me, your saying you've achieved higher than a level I thought you would. You tell a dog your proud of them for picking up a bone, you tell a child your proud of them when they learn 4+4 = 8! Would you walk up to the president of the United States and say I'm proud of you? No. The president would lol at you like ... When was the last time you disarmed a missile?? Stop its so condescending. Half the time I think in my head, who is this person telling me THEY are proud of me and they sitting up on dry gulch everyday. Have a seat. When I look across the aisle at all my girls doing their things. I say: I celebrate you. I CELEBRATE all that you are, all that you will be, and all that that has made you what you are. That's all. I just am sick of people trying to put me in my place in spaces by saying "I'm proud of you". There are people who actually are genuine and to those people I thank you. But to the rest, I'm just getting started so next time you want to commend someone on their achievements I challenge you to start with "I celebrate you". ‪#‎thatsall‬"

I am disgusted with these comments. To say they rubbed me the wrong way is an understatement...

When I tell someone that I am proud of them, it means just that... I am PROUD OF YOU. I do not give these praises lightly nor is it given or said without heart or sincerity. Your words are offensive to me and the fact that you would compare yourself and your life journeys to the President is offensive as well. Of course I am not going to say, "I am proud of you" to the President because I have never nor will I ever share a performance stage with the President. I have never shared very emotional moments with someone like the President and darling, you are not the President.

What is condescending are your words. I don't have to say anything to you about your accomplishments. I don't have to reach out and say that I am so excited to see your life's adventures are grand and awesome and that I am proud to say that I knew you when. But I did reach out. I did share with you my great sense of pride in saying YOU ROCK!  It is NEVER a question of your abilities or achievement levels or putting someone in their place. It is saying I am in awe of you and grateful to have known you and am so happy you are doing amazing things in this world.

SO heads up, hubris is an awful thing and always comes with dike. Pride cometh before the fall...

I would say this...you are finding your voice getting stronger and stronger within our community whether you dreamed about this or not...and you best take compliments with a stronger sense of humility and humbleness.

Don't give me Oprah...take the compliments as they come and be happy they are coming.

 I, however, going forward will save mine for folks who appreciate these compliments and can handle them being given.