No. 108

Be Epic

beepic

Every now and then, I have these strong instincts to do things. Some of these instincts are so intense that they become compulsions, and I quickly find myself swept away.

There’s a little strain of divine madness running in my blood.

It came over me last Thursday and took me down it like a fierce river.

I’d been looking through the photos on a friend’s Facebook account, someone I know from archery tournaments, when I came across a photo of him smiling on a fishing trip. I realized that there weren’t any recent photos of him smiling at all. And his smile in this photograph was more than just an average one: he positively radiated. I was entranced, and I so wanted to tell him this.

I sat down and began an email to him. It could have been a simple “you have a brilliant smile” compliment. But I wanted it to be epic. I wanted to say exactly what I was thinking, and I wanted him to know precisely how special he was. Even if it made me look absolutely mad. So I wrote and hit “send” without any expectation of what might happen afterward.

He said it was the best email and compliment he’s ever received.

And I felt positively magical, powerful, radiant — because I knew he was smiling

The world needs more epic compliments.

“Your poetry has saved my life. You showed me it was okay to feel these emotions.”
“Our conversations always renew my faith in the Universe and in love.”
“You look so feminine and powerful in that shade of red lipstick.”
“‘Handsome’ is an understatement when you smile like that.”
“The world needs so more of you.”

Whatever it might be, speak it. Let yourself be divinely mad today.

{photo taken by me}

About brandi

Brandi is a digital strategist, website developer, and founder of Alchemy+Aim, a company that helps entrepreneurs and business owners elevate their online presence and enhance their digital experience. Her academic background in theatre, philosophy and physics was the perfect foundation for launching her business, where she’s worked with Brené Brown, Laverne Cox, Judy Smith, and other notable thought leaders since 2013. She is an advocate for using technology in ways that humanize, connect and serve people as well as for asking deeper philosophical questions and teaching others to think more broadly about impact when they create, particularly in STEAM fields.

10 thoughts on “Be Epic

  1. You’re so right – the world needs more epic compliments and epic things to compliment. And I’m glad that you felt a little bit mad when writing it. Because shouldn’t all writing make you feel like that?

  2. Damn skippy we need more epicness all around! Isn’t it strange how we can back away from paying a compliment? I’m sure it’s on account of the vulnerability but who doesn’t love receiving a compliment?!! This is a wonderful reminder to spread that joy! Epically!!!

    p.s. – You, my dear, never cease to renew my faith and my spirit and I LOVE that you inspire glimpses of my own potential bravery. You are wondrous! xoxo

  3. The world does need more epic compliments! That’s what drives me, I think! Whenever I’m about to compliment someone, I make sure that it’s a sincere one, made different than someone else’s. Like, I have a tendency to tell everyone they’re beautiful or that they’re gorgeous, but it’s not special if I tell everyone!, so I like to tell they why I think they’re beautiful or gorgeous– we all need some happiness every now and then!

    Jessica | Vixenelle

  4. “divine madness”

    I love that. I know those impulses, those ideas–the things that occur to you and you realize it must be, that it occurred to you in that moment because that’s how it will happen.

  5. i love the rawness here – its such a rarity i often only find it in myself & then i usually wish i could hide it. why is what i find beautiful here the very thing i cringe to hide in me? keep on with the bravery!

    1. I’ve found that something about complimenting people makes us feel a little vulnerable too. I’m still trying to figure that out, but in the meantime, let’s be brave together!

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