“This year there will be more attention to the fabrics against my skin, to the companion that is tea, and the miracle of the mug’s solidity in my hand. There will be surrender to everything that curves. -Tara Sophia Mohr”
I’ve been thinking a lot of the fresh start that comes along with each new year new second a lot lately, and I’ve had that last line “surrendering to everything that curves” on my mind since I first read it. I don’t know about you…wait- yes I do…but I’d sure love be intentional about loving in new directions. (Notice I used the word “new”, not “different”.) It’s really just about blazing a few new (to me), positive paths- and I sure would like to lock e-arms with you on it. I like to think that blogs are for brainstorming and sharing all kinds of ideas, and like Oliver Herford said, there’s no time like the pleasant!
We could start super simple, with a hearty side of significant. Heck, we could keep it super simple, with a hearty side of significant. That’s the whole point, right? I’ll start by throwing out an idea that was inspired by these photos I found online a while back:
Oh, how much those kinds of gestures matter, don’t you think? Seeing thoughtful notes like those inspires me so much, and based on the comments you’ve left for me (and others) to find here over the past 5 years, I’m sure you feel the same way, too. (That reminds me, one of my favorite parts of blogging is the sense of adventure and discovery that comes along with it. You never know how I’m going to start a conversation, and I never know how you’re going to add to it! The comment section is such an encouraging place to visit, and I have so much fun creating posts in the space above it to share with you, too!)
Will you join me in/hold me accountable for writing a handwritten note to someone this week? Like I said, we can keep it super simple. The note can be for anyone- a family member, a friend, a co-worker, someone you don’t know- anyone. Let’s just decide on that in the moment.
Let me know what you think, and in the meantime: here’s to simple significance, memories that beat like hearts, and living out our questions- so that we can live out our answers, too!
Great post today! My DH and I were commenting this year about how our Christmas cards received this year were way down, and no one seems to feel the need to drop a simple card or note. Stamps are not THAT costly, so I’m sure it’s more a can’ t be bothered! We send cards and notes all year long. One of our faves we receive each year is my DH’ s cousin’ s Christmas note- so humorously written, it brings a laugh to us each year! And we write to our grandson often, just because he gets a kick from getting mail. It’ s more impractical than some people realize, even to the youngest receiver!
During these challenging economic times when we may not be able to afford presents for those we love and care about, a simple note of kindness can often be free or simply the cost of a stamp. I am taking your suggestion as a challenge, Layla, and will do my best to let those who are important to me, as well as strangers who I may never see again, know that they are appreciated, and that their kindnesses and concern are noticed and noted.
Love this! One year I wrote “jesus is the reason for the season” on my car. After I did some grocery shopping, I saw a handwritten note on my car saying nice comments and signed “Your Brother in Christ.” Chills!
I’m working on some hand-written notes tonight!
Lovely! My parents are both gone now, I send notes to aunties and uncles who are aging and missing their loved ones…they are loved, they matter.. <3
I am in!
Count me in!
Funny, I’m reading this now. I LOVE getting mail. Real mail. In the mailbox. A handwriten note. And since I love mail so much I try and send a note to a friend every so often. I just sent one yesterday. Along with all the thank yous I (the kids) just sent from Christmas and birthday! Think I will try to do this once a month. Thanks for the inspiration!
Funny….I just mailed out 5 cards to friends across the country. Some funny, some sentimental, but all with notes from me. In a heartfelt and grateful way, I felt the need to let these lovies know that they were in my thoughts and always in my heart.
I have another card ready to be mailed tomorrow morning for some newly-met friends. We all went through the death of my dear friend’s 7 1/2 year old daughter; after her 4 year battle with cancer. This couple are childhood/lifelong friends of my friend….through our sad, beautiful and heartbreaking experience of caring for our friend and her daughter—-we all formed a bond that will never be broken.
After 3 months of living away from my own home (and state) and helping to care & love my beautiful friends, I am home & know in my heart that my little angel wants me to always tell loved ones just how I feel about them~~~~~over & over & over again.
It’s a beautiful idea that you have…..<3
Love this idea. Can’t wait to see your note. I might write one myself,..it’s such sweet gesture!
If you haven’t seen the movie The Letter Writer – you must watch. I most definitely would like to join in -as I just watched the movie today and then read your post this evening. So surely I cannot ignore the message. Thank you.
Definitely count me and my blogs in!!!! I’ve been thinking about this for a while and just needed a nudge!!!
Warm Smiles and Big Hugs
Vicky King
http://www.morgansmouse.com
http://www.in-our-kitchen.com
http://www.in-your-gardenl.com
http://www.in-your-own-words.com (beginning stages)
Let me know what I can do to help
I will! I love to surprise people with a secret nice thing or note! Great way to start the new year!
I love the handwritten note and still use them often. I don’t know something about taking pictures and sharing them seems to taint the note. I can’t wrap myself around how I feel about it as a whole. I think it is OK if the receiver shares the note but when the writer shares it, doesnt it take some of the genuineness of the note away?
OMGoodness- that’s exactly why I asked, Erica! 😀 I was sort of feeling like that too- but then I loved the idea of having more positive pics floating around the web, so I was torn. <:-\ I think it depends on the note. I think I'll post mine with the hope that more folks feel like writing someone a note when they see it, but we'll see what happens though. I'm keeping this thing loose...no rules...just lettin' fun take the reigns! 🙂
i’m in! wonderful reminder that those i love enjoy receiving mail that is not a bill as much as i do.
xoxo
I do love handwritten notes! For Christmas this year I purchased beautiful stationary for my sister and enclosed a handwritten letter to her on it. The letter outlined an idea I had to write each other letters to share moments/thoughts/whatever (!) with each other that we don’t always get the time to share in person or over the phone. Almost a journal of sorts, but thougt it would be a great way to re-connect with one another. All I could do was think of the future when I’m old and grey and could see myself looking back at these notes to each other with great fondness! Your post is a reminder to write her a letter today 🙂
Love this. I just read this after I sent you an email. Please check and read your email I sent you just a little bit ago. I would like to pay it forward to you two….it is all explained in the email.
Last year I joined ancestry.ca and began a wonderful journey of discovery, just like they said I would in the commercial. I love it when there is truth in advertising. I found a cousin in a neighbouring province. A dear sweet 90 year old lady who now owns a piece of my heart. Finding Vera opened my eyes to the importance of lots of things, photography and letter writing included. Vera has the treasure trove of artifacts from our ancestors. She has sent me scans of letters from relatives as far back as 1904. To see their handwriting makes the notes so much more personal. Vera and I have been emailing but I am working on writing her a letter, and she one for me, that we can add to our memory boxes so future generations can hold those papers and know their ancestors touched them too. One of my resolutions this year is to send a hand written letter to at least one person each month. Who doesn’t love getting mail that isn’t bills?
Thanks for another wonderful post. You give us eye candy and something for our soul. Warmest regards to you and Kevin.
this validates what i’ve been inspired to do. January 14th will be one year since my sweet mom moved to heaven. I’ve been thinking for quite awhile just how i would feel, might respond to this day. Not wanting to be sad, I”ve pondered on other ways to recognize and honor my mom and the good things in her life. Saturday as i made my bed with a quilt given to mom when she was so sick, i thought of the quilt maker. She’s a friend of moms who blessed our family in multitude of ways during mom’s illness, meals, kind words, phone calls. She alone was able to make the hats to cover mom’s balding head. No matter what we found, nothing was JUST what she wanted but what Linda made. : ) So I”m writing her a note this week, thanking her, once again, for her compassionate way of living and the difference it made for my mom. She was such a beautiful gift for my sweet momma, and the rest of us too.
When I was in management I held a weekly staff meeting for my team. At each meeting we would decide who to send a “thank you’ note to from our department. It only took five minutes to discuss who we would send it to that week. Maybe someone went out of their way to help one of us or a vendor was especially responsive , or someone was just a simple bright spot at work. I would write the teams sentiment in the card and we’d all sign the card and mail it to them. I know it was so meaningful to so many of our recipients because we almost always heard back from them and in turn it was a great way to start our week. It helped us all keep in mind how being our best–simple acts of kindness, doing our job well, helping others, going above and beyond–does make a difference and how making a difference in just a small way, impacts us all.
I don’t work right now (for the first time since I was 12!) but I can still send out a handwritten note. Thanks for the reminder.
Also, I really work hard to find something true and genuine to compliment people on when I see them. Do they have pretty eyes? Do I love their shirt, shoes or purse? Does their smile light up a room or is their laugh contagious? Are they great at math (like the one friend who always splits the checks up for the group because everyone else who hates math!)? Are they kind or funny or giving or peaceful or wise or positive or helpful? I can almost always find something that I can genuinely compliment and then I do. Because, who of us doesn’t need a kind word or encouragement?
So, yes, I love this challenge! Great idea, Layla!