CURIOSITY, HONESTY, SCIENCE AND LOVE
Why am I doing this? Well, let me ask you back: Who are you?
If you are one of my psychology professors I will reply: "Because I want to explore the urban inhabitant's ability to react to an unexpected and sudden approach of someone who neither begs nor sells something. Someone who wants to share a personal and uplifting insight, namely a compliment, with them."
If you are into Yoga I will go like: "Because this is my Bhakti practice off the mat for the next year. Let's see how well I do once it comes to complimenting a person I detest... Challenge accepted."
If you are interested in reading a travel blog I will tell you: "Because this year I will be traveling through the US for at least a month and do my usual amount of short trips within Europe. Plus I'll be moving at least once, from a small German town to Cologne, Germany or back to my home town Berlin or all the way to the Bay Area, USA.
There will be compliments and their stories from all over the world, kept alive for you on this blog. Because who knows? If someone feels the honesty in a strangers compliment maybe there will be stories shared from before or written from there. A compliment as a kick off- isn't there a long pick up line tradition around that..?"
Whoever you are this is my last-but-not-least answer:
Honestly, I just love complimenting strangers. There is very little making me feel as happy and alive spot on. Compliments are incredibly rewarding both for the complimenting person and the receiving one. They are a true win win for everyone involved. I am convinced that they make the world lighter. Receiving an unexpected compliment or honest positive feedback helps decrease negative internalization. According to a Japanese study receiving a compliment has the same positive effects as getting cash!
Compliments point out new, beautiful perspectives. Maybe strengthen healthy intra- and interpersonal relationships that are already there- or just create a beautiful moment for two people, appreciating whatever one of the two has been complimented on.
THE RULES
Rule number one: Honesty. I will try to make each compliment mirror my true impression. I will only speak if I really feel the impulse to do so.
I will try both to compliment a different person and say something new every day.
Overall duration: One year
Amount of (reported) compliments: One per day
Content of each blog post: 5 questions.
Who (was complimented),
Where,
What (did I say),
How (did the person react),
How (did I feel);
Plus additional notes: Observations and thoughts I have on the project and/or ways that I am changing the project in
Plus additional pictures and potential insights of the recipients
Rule number one: Honesty. I will try to make each compliment mirror my true impression. I will only speak if I really feel the impulse to do so.
I will try both to compliment a different person and say something new every day.
Overall duration: One year
Amount of (reported) compliments: One per day
Content of each blog post: 5 questions.
Who (was complimented),
Where,
What (did I say),
How (did the person react),
How (did I feel);
Plus additional notes: Observations and thoughts I have on the project and/or ways that I am changing the project in
Plus additional pictures and potential insights of the recipients
On day 137 three crazy things happened in a row:
