Who?
Markus
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"Your expression is wonderfully open and kind. You have a natural smile in your eyes. So nice!"  
How did he react?
Surprised: "Me?! Open? That's interesting. I have always thought I that ray out the opposite." 
How did I feel?
Some people smile even when they don't. Their eyes continually say: "It's alright." I don't see them often but when I do I am thankful. They help me unwind. 
Markus was one of these people. He was waiting in line at the grocery store's register when I first saw him. Queuing up behind him and got a glimpse at his face, once, twice, three times... As time passed I felt a pleasant feeling arise each time I watched his expression. It radiated with ease. I contemplated whether he was conscious of that and assumed he probably wasn't; His face looked too natural.
When I complimented him Markus' reaction proved me right, in fact he had had the opposite impression of himself (see above) which I had not expected at all.
We chatted for a moment. What a retreat: I got to look at his face and let it's serenity fill me with contentment. 
Turned out it was not just his eyes that were open, but his personality, too: Usually I am the one asking the candidates questions and listening to their stories. Not for Markus. In the most interested way he asked about my studies, my background and why I started this project. I felt completely comfortable answering his questions as they came from the warm person he was. Before saying goodbye he invited me to check out the open air cinema he has been working at. I can't wait to do so! Actually, after chatting with him I thought: "This guy was so likable I would love to make friends with him!"
Anything else?
Markus: I hope I got your name right! I just realized it might be spelled with a c. Let me know if it is! 

Who?
Jakob
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"Your gait looks super aesthetic."  
How did he react?
He seemed a bit surprised and said, "Thank you! I am pleased to hear that."
How did I feel?
Before meeting Jakob I was on cloud nine. Coming from an interview at Radioeins that had been an amazing experience I drove down Yorckstraße. Uplifting, inspiring thoughts occupied my mind: I had been lucky to chat with the radio team for an hour and reflect on complimenting after the interview. Together we had pointed out several different layers there are to the act of complimenting, I'd gained and shared perspectives and food for thought. Eventually they had told me that reading my posts makes them happy, which had been the nicest thing to hear! A massive grin on my face I hummed along with a song stuck in my ear and saw a potential compliment candidate in every person I passed on my bike. 
I chose Jakob because the beauty I saw in him was subtle yet present. While approaching him from behind I watched him walk down the street for a few seconds before I passed him. It took a moment, then I realized: He was today's candidate. I stopped, pulled over, walked back. And mirrored to him what I had just observed. It was his beautiful gait, very straightforward and clear, yet light and free. His steps looked easy, almost dance-like but he did not lose his way. A second ago I found the right tag in German: Beschwingt ("be-swinged", Buoyant, or winged, are the closest words).
When I talked to him Jakob seemed like I had just woken him up from a dream set in a far away place. He was surprised and remained a bit sleepy, in the sweetest way. I asked him if he was just coming back from partying and he said, no, but he'd just overslept a tattoo appointment. We chatted for a bit, and Jakob told me he was from the south of Germany and in town for an internship. He wants to become a photographer. I just checked out his website and I think he is super talented! See for yourself below.
Anything else?
Yeah! Here's one thing I love, love about the project: Almost every compliment is an opener. A door to more. I see a piece of beauty in someone, I walk up to them, I tell them about it. I communicate my appreciation and my interest in them. And then maybe, but actually almost always, they show more of their beauty, of who they are. In short: If I had not talked to Jakob about his gait I would not have gotten to take a look and enjoy his beautiful art. If I had not complimented Joachim on his calm I would never have found out about the incredibly strong man he is, supporting his handicapped daughter for more than twenty years. Even with the people I know: If I had not complimented David months ago I would not have brainstormed about all the wonderful things we have experienced together and what he means to me! This project is an outstanding teacher. Today's lesson: 
There is a fabulous wealth of beauty, strength, wisdom, humor, inspiration, love-... hidden in everyone. Instead of daily life extras or even bugbears, strangers on the street are treasure chests. All it takes to see and learn from them is to go, appreciate and ask. If I do so chances are high I will enjoy and learn from the pieces of gold they carry inside, even from the ones I have not seen so far because they are hidden.  
I have been certain that there are no bad people and that there is beauty and divinity in everyone for a while now. Each one of us carries a unique potential, precious experiences, perspectives and talents! But thinking that and experiencing it are two completely different things. The experience part is my favorite lesson ever. Thanks to every single candidate for teaching me! Thank you so much.




Here are some of Jakob's pictures. They can be found on his website:

Who?
Joe
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"That beard! That beard, man! It is awesome"  
How did she react?
He nodded, chewing his currywurst, then said: "Uh-huh, thank you!"
How did I feel?
The minute I looked into Joe's eyes I knew he was special. It was his presence. Though I had noticed him because of his outstanding facial hair initially it was his vibe I was fascinated by on second glance. Calmly he explained to me that he had just gotten off work and was on his way home: To Spandau. 
"So what is it that you work as?" 
"I am a care worker. And a musician."
"Oh, a care worker! Who do you take care of?" 
"Anyone who needs me to. Young people, old people, handicapped ones... I have been doing that for a long time."
"And music, what do you play?"
"The blues! It's been the blues for me ever since I turned seventeen. Back then I had a friend who was into blues music. He got me hooked on it on the spot. Actually that same guy happens to play in my band now!"
"That's awesome! What's the band's name?"
"Blues Project 2010. We play the blues, we started in 2010. A simple, pragmatic name. Guess what, we are local stars in Spandau! It's amazing. We have been making a name for ourselves. And, know what, since you mentioned it earlier: My beard is, too! People recognize me on the street because of that."
"Ha, that is awesome, all of it!"
"So what is it that you do that project for?"
I explained to Joe that I love complimenting and writing. He told me he is one for the literature, too, and that he wants to write a book about Blues in Spandau. Then he said, 
"And I love, love reading! I have the hugest library at home."
"What do you read?"
"History books. I love history. And the Russian novelists, oh, they are wonderful! And some of the French. Actually ours, too. Guess what: I have been making friends with Goethe lately! He never got to me back at school, but now that I know more about his context from the history books I have read..- I dig his books! I really do! It's funny how life points out the good things to you over and over again, until one day you are ready to receive them."
Joe's passion for blues and books uplifted me. I was glad I had gone up to him and got to experience all that liveliness, mixed with his general calm, grounded radiance. When he wrote down the blog's address he showed me his partner's business card. That's when I complimented him a second time: I told him that I loved how he kept referring to her as his "propitious one": I had never heard that before. So Joe, all the best to you and your propitious one, keep enjoying those tunes and notes! 

Who?
Nadine
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"Your mohawk looks incredible! I just had to run after you because you look outstanding- and now I even get to see your neck tattoo, which I think is awesome as well!"  
How did she react?
She looked down for a second, then looked up and said: "Thank you!"
How did I feel?
Nadine was beautiful. Her green Mohawk shone from ten feet away and caught my attention instantly. When I approached her I spotted a tattoo around her neck: three lines of barbwire. It looked super cool. I loved how Nadine seemed a bit shy in the beginning but lit up throughout our conversation until finally she turned into a smiling, chatty woman. With a wink in her eye she told me she was a political refugee from Zurich who had found her home in Kreuzberg, Berlin. And that she was just coming back from shopping a few additional colors for her hair at a local record store, the gore tex: Apricot and yellow for her left head side and blue and green for her right one. Her left will get a leopard pattern and the right a zebra one. I dug that idea! Her hair is art. I hope I will cross paths with her again when she's done dying her hair. Good luck with that, Nadine! 
Anything else?
Nadine was not cool with her picture being taken but she was ok with me drawing her. Well, I tried.. :) 

Who?
Joachim
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"Reading your newspaper for two hours straight you radiated with peace and tranquility. I was thankful to be sitting next to you and catch your serene vibe. It really calmed me down." 
How did he react?
"Oh, thank you! Thanks very much!"
How did I feel?
Berlin is a race against time. How many activities can you squeeze into 30 minutes? How many gallons of coffee (or mate, since we're in Berlin) can you drink? And how many nights can you go without sleep? Some of us book flights while texting ten people at once on our way to lunch, I have friends who take speed after Yoga - "It's gotta be party time at some point!", they say - or before late night work, and riding my bike I catch myself cursing cars I can't overtake while the red light says stop. 
Yes, I hear about opposite trends, too. Slow food, slow travel and yesterday I read an article about slow sex. And I do wish those will turn into more than a fad. But for now I don't see them in the city much. Actually reading that slow sex article was procrastination- I should have worked on an essay for school. Or did I just decelerate for a minute there? Either way I was sitting in the Mensa, my school's massive canteen, a military dude in my head who kept firing gun shot rhythms in the air, shouting: "Start the essay! Now! Immediately! Do it!"
Turning my head to the corner I spotted Joachim. He sat afar from it all and ignored the student's hurry scurrying. In front of him: A hot beverage, two bananas and the daily paper. Nothing but that for 150 minutes. Except for turning pages and raising the cup to his mouth he sat still. From time to time he gazed over his lively surrounding, then returned to one of the articles. If he moved he did slowly. At first I thought he was a professor waiting for a colleague. But after an hour I realized he was still there doing the same thing he had been sixty minutes ago- basically nothing! I was stunned. From then on I enjoyed his presence consciously. Taking in the calm he radiated with I passed it on to the military man in my head an whispered: "Hey, man, chill!" in his ear. The man lowered the gun and looked at me bewildered. It felt good. Whenever he got ready to fire again I looked back at Joachim and took two, three deep breaths. This way the man remained silent for good.
90 minutes later, headed towards the exit, I passed Joachim's table and said thank you. His reaction to the compliment changed his way from calm to animated. His face lit up, he started talking and vividly gesturing. 
I learned that he comes to the canteen a lot and that he enjoys hanging out in the hecticness. The reason for his being there is his daughter: She uses a wheelchair and studies at FU. Joachim, after 44 years of work, decided to go for early retirement and drives her to school and back home these days.
This compliment was an opener. Allured by Joachim's calm I got to see more beautiful traits of his once I had approached him. He told me about some of the challenges his family had to overcome raising a handicapped kid. I was shocked: Six years of pointless fighting with their health insurance over a gadget they needed for Joachim's daughter not to be completely dependent on her parents! Six years of writing letters, receiving declinations, writing more letters and going to court. Six years of his daughter being dependent on her parents when she had already been fully grown. And that was just one of their battles. When Joachim talked about his resistance there was fire in his eyes. When he referred to his daughter there was pure bliss and pride. If he does not read the paper he rides his bike through the forest and collects wood for his families wooden stove. He even had to do credits for that! They taught him you should chop wood on aluminium because that is the only metal wood is not likely to splinter on. He talked about what it was like for him in Berlin (he misses his home, the Ruhrgebiet), how he feels towards life and his family (gratitude) and what he hates in traffic (people who ignore the rules and blame others).
Between his statements, every now and then, Joachim would throw in a "....but I want to say thank you for that compliment again, really, so nice, thanks!.-..." 
And I would smile at him, happy to see his joy and to learn from him, an say: 
"You are so welcome!"

Who?
Gretel
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"Your service is stunning. That friendly addressing people, your smile, and the way  you follow their and your routine simultaneously- I am amazed. Thank you for your beautiful way!"
How did she react?
She grinned, said thank you, but stayed pretty even- at least I thought she did at first. At second sight however I spotted two watery eyes...
How did I feel?
I don't expect to be treated as a queen at ALDI. Working there is no child's dream. I shop at that store because I can't afford a better one, not because it's known for it's service.
Today I was checked out by Gretel. She proved my expectations wrong. Apparently her job does not bother her, quite the opposite: She scans the food in record time and keeps a grin on her face. While her customers look for their credit card Gretel quickly sorts things in the right bags, casually telling people where she has put what, asking "Does that work for you?". In between she chats with her coworker, creating a family like vibe in the store. And: She is never at a loss for words. While I observed her she kept philandering with the customers in her dry Berliner way. When I asked her: "Can I take a picture of you?" she replied, "If your lens can bear me!"

So, how did her reaction make me feel?
I have always been one for the crying. Spontaneous tears are the single most beautiful gift anyone can give me in return for what I tell them. It does not happen often but when I see a wet shimmer in a recipient's eye it switches on the greatest joy inside of me and leaves me standing in awe, thinking "Wow, I just did this. I said a few words and changed something for that person! As simple as that- I am capable of making an impact... This is - incredible." With these thoughts in my head I stood there speechless today. All I was capable of was a big, honest "Awwwwwhhhhh!" 
Together, Gretel and I laughed. 

Thank you so much for making me feel this way, Gretel!

Who?
David
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"You are like a shooting star that never falls. You just keep shining and shining. And you have incredible eyes! So open, so soft and so alive!"
How did he react?
I think he had trouble understanding me at first (I was speaking German, he is a French native) but then he said: "Thank you!" And smiled his falling star smile.
How did I feel?
Do you remember that aunt of yours who would visit once a year? You knew it was her the minute you heard the bell ring, because she would press three times, just to make sure you did not miss hearing her. As soon as your mom would open your aunt's shouts would fill the house: "Pheewww, this was the longest journey ever! I am exhausted.", she would cry before she had even entered.
Later, at dinner, she would point out that your mom had never been one for the cooking and suggest your parents should seriously start ordering in. Your mom's fists would turn white under the table. Looking at your dad your aunt would add, "Oh, good lord! How many pounds have you gained? You are a ton! How can this happen in only 12 months?! We need to see each other more often, I mean, someone has to take care of your weight and obviously that someone is not you. Don't thank me, that's what family is for!" And on she would go, nagging at your future plans and your sibling's math deficiency, bragging about her latest achievements and wining about her loud neighbors.
The three days of her stay felt like weeks, didn't they? Usually there would be one big escalation along the way, towards the end. But she was family, and everyone knew she would be back.
Maybe she was not your aunt but your grandma, or your dad's high school buddy. Either way this person was the most annoying guest on the planet. 
Everyone has met that person.
And, hopefully, everyone has been with their opposite. I was lucky to encounter that opposite last weekend. His name is David and he visited my roommate.
I came home to the two of them on Saturday. 40 hours of moving chaos lay behind me and I was carrying three heavy bags of groceries. Immediately David came running and took two of the bags to the kitchen. Next he offered his help for arranging my furniture and diagnosed my hurting thumb (David is a physician). I had never seen the guy before. Well mannered, you might say, and I would agree. But David transcends his amazing manners, I quickly learned that: He is personified amiability. His smile embraces everything you are before you have said a single word to him. Once you do speak his eyes take in all of your statements you can see through them how David digests. His answers prove that. They carry a transformation of what you have talked about before and tell you: He listens carefully.
While that horrible aunt guest used to suck all the warmth in your home David adds 5 degrees, at least. Let him speak and he will create a loving and enthusiastic wave, delighting you with the most interesting facts and practices, like haptonomy, fun French vocabulary or thoughts from his thesis about HIV and immigrants. Or he might share activities of his: Yesterday he spent all day at Berghain. This morning, before coffee, I asked him, "How was it?", and he said, "Great!". The look on his face let me relive his complete experience and suddenly I went from tired to stoked. His one word answer had filled me with life, all because of the spirit it came with. David turns eating into a retreat, with every bite he mmhhhhs.  Instead of a show this is nothing but David devoting to his food and enjoying. Being with him is a gift. You have been there: The aunt person would close the door for another year and everyone let our a relieved sigh. Contrary to that, when David left today, I begged him to come back soon. Because he really is what I called him, a shooting star that does not fall. A few hours after I complimented him I remembered a statement of Noah’s “Do you know glow worms? That’s what was told people who shine through the dark are. You know the minute you see them, they spread light and warmth wherever they go.”
If anyone deserves that title, David does. A glow worm, a shooting star- and definitely the greatest guest on the planet! Thanks for visiting, David!
Anything else?
Yes! David is the one with the blue hat, next to my wonderful roommate Prem. 

Who?
Michael, David, Sebastian and Frederic
Where?
Berlin-Kreuzberg, Germany
What? 
"This is the first time I want to hang out with my fellow students. Ever. Thanks to your openness, friendliness and the overall great vibe you spread!"
How did they react?
David said, "yeah, same here!", and Sebastian responded "Cheers to that!". We laughed and raised our glasses.
How did I feel?/What is the story?
I was never one of the cool kids. It started in elementary school: No TV at home, not allowed to have Barbies, nor a gameboy, nor pokémon; I did not own a single tool to be part of the crowd. That made things hard, no doubt, but I could still have worked my way up in the social hierarchy of first graders, which I would have liked to, I just didn’t know how. All I was capable of was looking at the superior six year olds with two “Please, like me.” eyes. That didn’t work. One day I took the easy way out: Instead of being ignored by a group of girls pummeling on their tamagotchis I made friends a wonderful woman, warm, empathic, clever. She was our teacher. And I, from then on, a brown-noser.  

By the time I entered high school I had not become any more popular. Instead I wore an invisible tag saying “weirdo”, because that’s who I had been for the past six years. The role had transformed into my face. Again I got hooked on the idea of being part of the crowd, again it didn’t work. They went crazy with the booze, I was not invited. They knew all about bra sizes, I figured those out on my own. They giggled together, I had no idea what about. A few unlucky attempts at coolness later I gave up on the idea of a high school peer group for good and found amazing friends somewhere else: In the orchestra I played in. Together with them I traveled the world, poured my heart out playing Tchaikovsky and Dvorak, spent countless nights laughing till the morning light. Instead of a high school home party I had my first kiss in the back of a tour bus after a concert, and rather than shopping prom dresses I would buy another simple black skirt to perform in. I went to school with my violin and practiced during free lessons while my classmates sneaked off to smoke weed.
And, guess what- all of a sudden, people started liking me at school. I had not gotten prettier or richer or into hip hop. The only thing that had changed about me was that I’d stopped giving a fuck. To me the cool guys were no longer kings and queens I looked up to but people I passed with a shrug, thinking “I have someone who thinks I rock. I don’t need you.” Today I think that school will always be an imposed community: 30 kids in one classroom that have nothing in common but their age. Contrary to that, in the orchestra, we had a major thing connecting us: Music. I call it super human glue. Nothing makes people feel as jointed as playing together.
So suddenly, back at school, I was cool. Maintaining that coolness required maintaining my independence. I had to stay superior, otherwise I was back to the old days.That face of mine felt a lot like arrogance, and it probably was- but it worked. Finally I did not feel like something was wrong with me, all because I had discovered the whole thing was one big game. Either you knew how to play or you were out. After years of being out all I wanted was to play. I had figured out the rules by accident, and for now I was just glad I knew them and school had become bearable. Those rules were pretty easy after all: To be cool all you needed was a face saying "I am hella cool.", or, even better, “I am cooler than you”. The other option - my old way- was “I wish I was as cool as you.”. That, and nothing but that, turned you into a loser. The rules were either or. No in between.

Between my high school graduation and my first semester in college three years passed.
I worked, I traveled, I played more music. I faced death. I lived. My attitude shifted: Starting to believe that there is beauty in everyone I avoided peer groups centered around ideas of status. Instead I surrounded myself with people who looked at me and each other with loving eyes. I learned that there is enough for everybody- attention, affirmation, warmth; Whatever you look for in a hierarchical system you only find it once you let the hierarchy itself go.
To me, most emotional rewards earned by climbing up a hierarchy are counterfeit coin. If I get validation because I turn from being a nobody to being part of an exclusive group of people I don’t get love because of who I am but because of what I do, or because of what I own. A hierarchy cannot teach me that I am valuable- even though climbing up any hierarchical latter affirmation was what I looked for most- only that what I do or have is appreciated. Learning that I am valuable comes through love and love only. Love brings inclusion, too: No one is left out because love only grows bigger when I give more. If I love I win. Whereas if I distinguish between popular kids versus outcasts I lose, even when I belong to the cool crowd. Because I hide behind my fear and lose connection. I live in a trap in my head, holding on to a status that I am constantly afraid of losing because it comes through action not through being. I think we all do that all the time- it's a question of extent and consciousness. But let's get back to the story:

Having realized all that I moved to Bonn and entered college. I was older than the rest, I had worked before, came from a bigger city, had seen more of the world, thought that I knew more about style and life and, frankly, anything than these kids. But what was really going on was I was back at school and insecure again. Only now I knew the rules right? Rule number one: Play the superiority card. I did, and I was safe, passive aggressive written all over my face. Also I did not make any real friends for a while and felt immensely uncomfortable- I was disconnected, but too scared to realize that. It took me two semesters to see that “these kids” were people with huge hearts and a lot of curiosity, like Henning.
The scary, imposed community place called school changed slowly and became a place full of, well, humans. No more, no less.
Nonetheless I had not chosen Bonn for the city it is, and I was not planning on staying. I kept going back and forth to Berlin, Cologne and San Francisco. Many of my fellow students were headed into a different direction then I was, seeing their lives evolve in the surrounding area of Bonn. I did not. Although I no longer dreaded the people I sat in class with, and was grateful for the times we spent, I did not share many interests or dreams with most of them either. 
A month ago I transferred back to Berlin. 

Last chapter:
Most of my courses happen at the institute for North American Studies. Again, we are an imposed community. A lot of the people are in their first year. Yes, they are younger than me. And yes, some of them play the card that says "I am cooler than you". I know where they are, I feel them- because I have been there before. But I don’t want to go back. I don’t want to play the game no more. Instead I want to smile at my fellow students! I want to brainstorm with them and inspire each other. I want to learn from them, laugh with them, find out about the craziest theories with them. I want to high five after successful exams and hug after failed ones. Create a culture of appreciation together: Everyone has got something to say. Let's hear it! Additional perspectives, languages, and accents make things richer. I crave a community. Because I learn better, live better and get to be myself. No masks, neither the arrogant nor the loser's one. I am who I am.
At the JFK I found people who think alike. So far I have met four guys. They make me feel comfortable instantly, empathy written all over their faces, laughter filling their hearts. Let me introduce to you: Michael, Frederic, Sebastian and David.
All five of us are from different countries which brings various stories, perspectives and approaches. With them it’s learning deluxe: We are taught in the classroom and we teach each other outside of it, I can already tell after just a few conversations.
Frederic asks many questions. He has the child's eyes that burst with curiosity and friendliness. This man really wants to know: How did you end up here? What's your story? And what do you think of it? His own opinions are well stored in his mind, and though he won't fire them away he responds politely and shares openly once asked. Fredric is not in the picture.
Left on the photograph is David. Moving to Berlin from Amsterdam he wants to make things happen. No more wondering, he says, it's time for doing. His energy lasts forever, just like his lightheartedness. David is the appreciative one. He points out films and books that he dug to you, according to what you tell him about yourself. And says, "I think you'll really love this!", nodding enthusiastically, his eyes wide open. I can't wait to stroll around Berlin and explore with him. He reminds me very much of my own David: Down for everything, taking things the easy way. He is on the very left in the picture.
Sebastian's calm brings me down. He chooses his words well. There is wisdom in his eyes and speech. When we talked I was stunned by his depth, and I swear that he, being 21, is more mature than most of the 50-year-olds I know. His eyes glow with warmth and he is not afraid to tell you: "Nice to see you!" in the I really mean it kind of way, even if he has just met you. Sebastian was the first one to make me feel at home at school. And, by the way, he writes, too! I can’t wait to share. On the picture he is the one standing next to David.
Last but not least there is Michael. This man is probably the funniest person I have ever met. His jokes come from out of nowhere and tickle you where you are most sensitive. He embraces otherness with every word he says. And he works his ass off! If you can’t find Michael he is probably in the library. Because a few years from now he wants to fight racism. For his voice to be heard he needs his name to be well known, the best place to start for that: A good education. If this is not a reason to be disciplined I don’t know what is. Michael, rock on!
Last night we sat in a bar together. Scanning one friendly expression after another I had a realization: After 14 years of school I am ready to make friends in this particular surrounding. And, for the first time, it seems like I am in the right place. I can't wait to be back in class, not only because I get to learn, but for the people I will meet as well. Looking at my fellow students on this picture puts a smile on my face. I lost all hopes for that in high school. Now it is here, all of a sudden, a miracle brought to life by David, Frederic, Michael, Sebastian- and everyone else in the classroom. Thank you, all of you! I’ll see you back at school and I look forward.

In the past 3 days I have been busy preparing and performing my 40 hour moving marathon which I finished a minute ago. 
Though I didn't have time and space to write the posts I did compliment every day, as always, and there are some beautiful stories to come! Stay tuned. As soon as there is a hole in my furniture mountain I will creep into it and start typing.

When I came home earlier I found the sweetest surprise: My neighbors had responded! The ones that live next to 
the girl I wrote the message to had put up a piece of paper telling me that I was beautiful, too, and asking if I wanted to come over for a glass of wine some time...? I was stoked. Running through my room in euphoria I bumped against drawers and chairs, opening every moving box, fishing for a pen and a paper. Finally I found both. I wrote another message: "Yes! Next week? :)"
Ha! This project is my favorite thing. I can't wait to meet them and will keep you posted about how that story goes on...



Here is a challenge for you: Find their message!

Who?
Zola
Where?
Weimar, Germany
What? 
"Your voice is one of the most magical and wonderful ones I have ever heard. You are making the world a better place by putting it out there. I am so grateful I get to hear you sing!"
How did she react?
She hasn't yet- I think she is still recovering from her final presentation.
How did I feel?/What is the story?
Wherever I go you come along.
Together we have been to more than 17 cities in four countries- in less than 5 months!
You have moved twice with me and covered a total of 14 000 miles. Some of my best friends are close to you, too, just like  the people I admire most. 
Shedding some tears, laughing hard, dancing by myself? You have seen me doing that. All of it. - And danced along.
Dear reader, tomorrow will be number 100. I want to stop for a minute and say: "Thank you." Spending this year with you is one of my all time favorite experiences. I am glad we make it through all this together! Sometimes knowing you read this is what keeps me going. At the end of each day I do love the project, no doubt. Complimenting, writing and reflecting are three of my favorite activities and I do miss writing when I don't post. Another favorite of mine is sharing. The first three work without a counterpart, the latter one does not. Thank you for being my counterpart, thank you for reading what I share and thank you for standing on the opposite side of a major ingredient to my life, this project. It would not be the same without you. And my year would not be the same either: I have never lived through twelve months as flush with change as these ones are. Next to all the beauty this project wills my life with it provides stability. Complimenting is a practice for me. Wherever I am, whatever happens, at some point I will go and find someone to point out to why I think they are beautiful. And, if I have time, a moment to write about that. What a wonderful way of structuring a year!
A few days ago I realized that there lies another gem in this kind of stability: The diary effect. I picture myself finishing post number 365 and then scrolling down, all the way to the very beginning, reliving my year, thinking "Oh, yeah, when I was there I had just applied to FU Berlin! And this guy, right, he got me hooked on furniture design! And aww, right, Oslo! Feels like ages." 
If you read this blog regularly maybe you might hear me on this one. Either way it is not just my year, right? It's your year, too. It's the compliment candidates' year. 365 days on this planet, with 365 of their moments highlighted here. While I might compliment someone the day I pass a horrible exam, meet my future husband or discover my new favorite food it might also be the compliment candidate's birthday or they might have just broken up with their partner. We all have our stories which constantly continue. A major catalyst for these stories are encounters, and they are this project's purpose, too. I think of our stories are as strings, converging and diverging, some of them closely intertwined, others never meeting. Together they form a massive spiderweb. Today a fellow student approached me and said: "So you ran into Katja and Ole yesterday, huh? That's funny! They are friends of mine! I saw the post on facebook." To me, Katja and Ole were strangers. The compliment sparked an encounter- or a crossing over of two strings in a story spiderweb- which caused another interaction- my fellow student and I's- and so on. So basically this project illuminates parts of this year's spiderweb. But what about the events in the web that are not caused by compliments? That's simple. Turn on the news, you will hear all about those. Israel-Palestine. Plastic in the ocean. Kim Kardashian. You could check your agenda, too. Or keep the tv off and your agenda closed: If you want to hear about another string - someone else's life - you can just read this post. Because I have been waiting to write about this particular candidate for a while. I knew from the beginning she was going to end up on here, but last week she took the next step in her life. I realized: This is the perfect moment. So let me introduce to you Zola, newly minted master of music. 
First of all: Congratulations, Zola! 
Second: I am not surprised. I always knew you were the master, way before you finished your studies.
Third: While reading the following, dear reader, you might want to press play here: 

Fourth: Let's start at the beginning.
One night a year ago David turned off the lights and said: "Good night, Rosa. This has been a great evening! We fell in love." He paused. "With Zola." 
He was right. We had been to a concert of the BuJazzO where Zola had enchanted both of us and initiated what was about to become David's and my only dogfight: We had both fallen for her but only one of us could marry her. It was on! From then on the two of us did everything to exceed each other's Facebook likes from Zola, take pictures with her (I will spare you the collection for privacy reasons but trust me, there are many), let alone have drinks with her.
While our rivalry got a little out of hand every now and then it remained a joke at all times as were the marriage plans- in oppose to our instant falling for Zola and her voice. Both David's and my feelings were completely honest.
What is Zola's magic?
The best picture for my experience is the next concert I went to. It was in late November, I had been choked by a row of assignment deadlines at that time and urgently needed a break. She sang at a small Cologne club. Dimmed lights, dark colors, spotlights illuminating the stage. No one took note of me lying down on the floor. I knew I had to the minute I heard her sing. Here's why:
If I had not entitled this post "The master of music" I would have called it "The Sound Healer". Because even though Zola does not call herself that it is exactly who she is does to me. She triggers cure. Taking you to a place that makes everything bearable she strews scented flowers over your pain. You can watch deep emotional wounds shrink under her music, observe heavy thoughts dissolve or feel stress release. Whatever you struggle with, Zola helps. While I was resting on the floor I noticed my heavy, mid term disfigured body getting lighter with each note she sang. She filled my back with softness and my forehead with space. Her singing caressed every centimeter of my skin. Three songs later I got up- and was 20 pounds lighter. My eyes, that had been under a constant pressure, were now resting in their caves. I felt like a newborn right before falling asleep in an oversize sheepskin. 

Another thing I love about her: Most singers act. They fill the stage -their personal one- 24/7 and once they actually are up there they put on a show that surpasses drama à la Chinese state circus. 
Zola on the other hand does nothing but one thing: She sings. That's it. She has the balls to be herself and put her marvelous voice out there. Closing her eyes she stands still, or gently sways from side to side, and threads the pearls her tunes are out of her mouth. They sparkle their way into the audience's hearts, no detours. Because they come straight from Zola's heart themselves, her dedicated smile promises that (see picture above). She is the most real singer I know. Her sounds get to me immediately; No wonder David and I fell for her on the spot. We probably both did so within her first tone. And at first glance, for her songs come with the most beautiful appearance. Yes, Zola is very pretty- Look at her! On top of that she shines. Spreading a tender, angelic vibe she does not leave anyone wondering, instead people in the audience sigh, lean back and - let it happen. They surrender to her charms.
Coming back to that particular concert of hers, the one I fell in love with her at, I actually complimented her afterwards. I went up to her I told her about what she had made me feel like. It was one of the first compliments I ever gave to a stranger (Okay, let's be honest- she was not a total stranger, being friends with one of David and my best friends herself, but I had never talked to her.) and I was nervous. So was she- but she did give me the soft eyes saying "I am moved." and replied, "Really!? Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!"

Months have passed since then. I have started getting to know Zola. The girl with the edenic voice is beautiful as a person, too. Empathy, humor and devotion are the qualities that first come to mind when I think about her. I can't wait to spend this year with the David's and my dream wife! Actually we have got something planned that will be another milestone for me this year: A vocal-Yoga-teaching-tandem. I am picturing the big, red heart on the spiderweb whenever Zola's and my strings overlap right now. I can't wait to start! --- And, by the way David, I am so, so sorry. Seems like I am pretty close to winning.