Several years ago, I felt the best compliment I could receive was to be called different.
Not that I don't feel that way anymore, but there appears to be conflict with how important connection is to me now. Perhaps it's about finding connection with others who are labeled different, rather than isolate myself for being different.
Lately, I feel like a good compliment is to be called calm. I was told yesterday that I emanated a calm, peaceful, and contemplative aura, a complete 180 from about a month ago, when I was so anxious that I created knots in others' stomachs and made them forget to breathe.
I achieved what they call in DBT "the wise mind" in my life's stressors and adversities.
