Every once in a while I end up sending a message to someone that probably makes them feel a bit uncomfortable. Someone noticed a message I sent to a friend this past week and said, “You really sent that? Isn’t that a bit gay?” (It was to a guy.) It wasn’t anything special… just a message letting them know how much I appreciate them and that I’m glad our paths crossed.
The way I look at it, life is simply too short, and people are often far too self-conscious, that they never end up admitting to anyone else when they really do feel good about them. And I don’t mean some cliché “copy n paste” chain mail. I’m talking about genuinely telling them how you feel. At most, people talk about the person in a eulogy after they’ve passed.
If you stop and think about it, there are several people in our lives who have made a positive impact. It may be your wife, a friend, a relative, a co-worker. Heck, it may even be some waitress in some late-night diner. Regardless, stop and pause for just 30 seconds to genuinely reflect on how they have positively impacted your life. Then, muster the courage and actually TELL them. If you need to, then even admit you feel awkward with what you’re about to say. The important part is that you actually tell them.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. If someone has positively impacted your life, take a moment to let them know. It may be the one thing that brings a smile to their day. Personally, if they have improved your life, I feel they deserve to know.
