Dear Editor,

Well, here we are. The future is now and for all the technology that is being marketed as improving our quality of life, in fact, holds some flaws.

The other day, I enjoyed a delightful conversation with a young mother who shared with me that her youngest son had received a handwritten letter from a friend. That letter, held two gifts actually and that child immediately took note of it.

Those two gifts were an invite and a deliberate expression of friendship from another young man of his same age! This was not lost on this brilliant child. (a shout out to Z, my new wingman.)

I have been thinking of how we can enrich our own lives by not letting technology dictate how we will live.

There have been many studies done about how good health and the handwritten, hand addressed, posted through the mail, letter is, as well as receiving a letter.

One study, “Undervaluing Gratitude: Expressers Misunderstand the Consequences of Showing Appreciation,” was published in the journal Psychological Science. Written by Amit Kumar with Nicholas Epley and other Authors.

Abstract: “Expressing gratitude improves well-being for both expressers and recipients.”

Before the internet, before the well-developed postal service business model now in place, there were stagecoaches for mail delivery. Mail service had its own life because it connected people. Mail was so highly regarded that on March 23, 1877, outside of Austin Texas, Ham White robbed a stage coach with a partner, was later caught by Texas Rangers and was sentenced to life in prison.

So then, we have the studies that demonstrate the health benefits, as a society, we have friends and family worldwide and I can not come up with one single reason why we should not be taking a few minutes to pen a note to each other.

Writing is therapeutic and there is nothing like it to make a connection. You will have to smile upon receiving a letter as well, because you KNOW that someone is thinking of you and giving you their attention and time because you are important to them. In closing, I offer you this “Live Well Letter Writing Challenge” as offered by Welia Health:

 

Choose three people

If three people don’t immediately come to mind, here are some ideas:

  • someone who has experienced a recent loss, or is battling an illness
  • a young person who has moved away from home for the first time (off to college, starting a new job in a different state, etc.)
  • someone from your past who made a difference in your life, or who brings back fond memories

 

 

Write the first letters

Send each of your 3 people an initial letter. Tell them they are important to you, and you’d like to keep in touch and offer them encouragement throughout the coming year.

  • Let them know there is no expectation for them to write back, although responses are welcome

 

Send follow-up letters

Write each of your recipients three (or more) letters throughout the year.

  • Marking the writing dates on your calendar ahead of time can help you to remember – you’ll then write all three letters on those designated dates
  • There’s no reason to stop when the year is over. Keep writing as long as you wish

Happy Writing and Best of health too!