I have often wondered how we ever got to this whole idea of sending along (aka forwarding) things that humor us, or enlightened us, or scare us, on to our friends and families simply because we receive them as emails from one of our other friends or family members. Is it a way of keeping in contact with the ones we love? Is it simply that there is a forward button on our email program, or are we so afraid that our own words aren’t as good as the ramblings of someone else? And why don’t we do this with other things in our lives? When you think about it, when was the last time you “forwarded” a Christmas card, or a hand written letter from someone, or a parking ticket, or your paycheck? Well, if you’re like me, never. All of these things have your name on them and are yours for the keeping, and personalized just for you, and that is the key.
Here is my challenge for all of you. And I will admit, this isn’t my idea, it is only my idea to pass the challenge on to you.
Richard Carlson: author of “Don’t Sweat the Small stuff, and it’s All Small Stuff” writes in one of his chapters that each week you should write a “heartfelt letter” to someone you know. Imagine, instead of a New Year’s resolution to lose weight or some other self serving endeavor, you resolve to do something for someone else. Something simple, something from the heart, something that takes more thought than to simply add their name to the long list of names you are about to forward that silly chain email to.
I’ll admit, I’m not perfect, and I don’t write my letter every week. But I do try. The best part: when I get a personalized, heartfelt letter in return. I guarantee I never forward it.
If you feel like sending this on, be my guest, nothing bad will happen if you don’t. If it gets more people writing letters, then it was worth it. Remember, no matter how bad you write, your words mean a lot more to the person you are sending them to than the words of someone else.
david