Dear
America, Join me in Paying it Forward By Handwriting A Letter or Two from the
Heart.
I had a most humbling conversation yesterday with a
vivacious, seventeen year old young lady named Victoria. In discussions of
homework, careers and her future opportunities, we somehow managed to cross
into an abyss of sorts and completely unknown to her, letters. It seems that
over the past seventeen years of her relatively young life, she has never sent
or received a handwritten letter. Have we advanced that far or better yet,
declined that far to the point that the handwritten word is no longer relevant?
Does our world consist solely of emails, texts and tweets?
In an age where instant gratification takes center stage, are we robbing this
generation and those to come, the art of the written word, as expressed and
delivered from the heart? I’m talking about letters to friends and family and
possibly someone you’ve never met, but can empathize with; not just love
letters. I’m talking about writing in big bold printed letters or in cursive
”God forbid” and sharing words of encouragement, gratitude or just catching up.
How many of our children have held a hand written letter in
their hands and read it over and over again? How many have stored them away and
pulled them out when they’re having a really tough day? How many handwritten
letters have we received from our children and how many have we kept? I dare
say those of us fortunate enough to have received handwritten letters from our
children, have kept them all. Why, because it’s personal, it’s an extension of
oneself as expressed in words.
My mother was an artist in many things, from sketches to
cooking to the art of letter writing. Through the years she earned a Master’s
in heartfelt communication and eventually a PHD in feel good economics, all
through her letters. She had the capacity to make hearts aglow with warmth and
love through the handwritten word, throughout her eighty four years. I recently
found a poem written to my nephew on his birthday, not long after my dad, but
more importantly, his granddad, passed away. She wanted my nephew to know how
special he was and through the eyes of my dad, how proud he would always be of
him. Along with the poem was a brilliant
red cardinal, sketched in pen and ink. What a present, what a memory still
after eighteen years have passed. Needless to say, how many of us would still
have an email or text of that special day after all this time?
Don’t you think it’s time we delve into the hearts and minds
of those we hold most precious in our eyes and send them a handwritten note
from our heart, encouraging them to reply in like kind to others in their
circle; paying it forward if you will, handwritten words filled with sincerity and
flowing from the heart. How best to teach children to communicate effectively,
to feel loved immeasurably, to give unselfishly and to share some of the daily
aspects of their lives. Not only children, but others in our own circles we
hold most dear, but it must begin with us.
Let’s not forget your sweetheart. I dare not exclude those
whose presence makes our hearts aflutter. Find a compliment, write it down then
find another: write squiggly things like hearts and arrows and tell them you
love them in a truly special way. Now put it in an envelope and mail it. Yes
mail it with a stamp. I would suggest you leave off the return address or not.
Guess that’s up to you.
Join me in pledging over the next few weeks to handwrite a
letter or two, to friends or family, to whomever, that could use our heartfelt
words for encouragement, laughter, warmth or even a brief smile. Then write me
and tell me how it felt to write again, to share again, to feel the warmth of
the written word in your hands again. Thank you for joining me in this
endeavor. I’ll gladly share the comments with you later this month. Feel
empowered; be empowered, because we’re all swimming up this stream together.
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