I hear it all the time. People talking about how snail mail is a thing of the past. How they don’t send letters anymore. How they don’t even check their mail because they pay all of their bills online and don’t receive anything worth looking at in their mailbox.
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I invite you to slow down and take a moment just for YOU. Yes, you. You deserve it. You may still be in your PJ's. Your hair may be a mess. The dishes may need to be done. But don't worry about any of that right now.
Make yourself a cup of tea. Find a warm place to sit. Get comfortable.
Sit for a just moment. I know, it can be hard to do but I promise you have the time to do it. Constantly we are go, go, go. But we need to slow down. We need to take the time and create the space to just be. Do not worry about your long to do list I promise you it will still be there for you when you are through.
What has lit you up? The smiles from your children. A wave from a stranger. That moment in yoga class when you fell into deep meditation. Just think of one good thing and smile. Don't smile with just your face, but smile from your heart. Feel the joy this one precious moment in life brought you.
I know there are many but choose just one. What one thing, person, moment are you most grateful to have, have been a part of, have been surrounded by. Think of what you are thankful for and smile. Again smile with your entire heart. Feel the the love you have for what you are grateful for.
Picture him or her in all their glory doing what they enjoy most. See the happiness on their face and the love in their eyes. Send them light and love for all the adventures they will take in their lifetime. Smile because they are precious gift in your life and you are a precious gift to them.
I invite you to sink into all this goodness. Because no matter how crazy and out of hand life can get there will always be something that made you happy, something you are grateful for, and someone you love. And when you think of these things a smile will form on your face and you can take it just a little bit deeper by smiling from your heart.
This post was inspired by the third prompt for this round of the Love Notes Postcard Project. This free, three week project invites individuals to get back to the basics and connect with others through snail mail. This is the twenty third time I am hosting the project and could not be more excited.
Each month I host the Love Notes Fairy Project. It is one of the most favorite things I do because it is wrapped up in pure magic. Strangers come together to send snail mail love to those who need it most. Without expecting anything in return they take time to reach out, let someone know they aren't alone, and open up their heart to share love.
I am grateful for the community that continues to grow, and for the way they show up. They understand the power of words and the human need for connection. They know that as human beings we all go through the same common emotions. We may not be in the same exact situation, but we have felt the same feelings. And so we reach out a hand, a hug, a word. And we connect.
Last week was a long and crazy week for me. Life in some ways has been flipped around and I am learning how to show up. I know I need to live with courage and in doing so it may cause a bit of discomfort. But I need to step into that discomfort and claim my own voice.
I arrived home from work on Friday completely deflated. My heart heavy, my soul tired. But a surprise was waiting for me. A note from a secret fairy from Canada letting me know that I am not alone and that the way I show up in this world matters. This single note flipped my emotions and filled me with so much love and happiness.
It is truly amazing how one little card changed my day. It reminded me of how important it is for me to keep showing up. Keep hosting the Love Notes Project. Keep putting myself out there. Because even if we cannot see the effect we have on the world it is a ripple and it is changing things in positive ways.
What you say to others matters. What words of kindness can you share with someone you know? A simple hello, thank you, or I appreciate you goes a long way. Take a moment today to reach out to someone and let them know how much they mean to you. It will make there day!
The first round of the Love Notes Postcard Project (#lovenotesjb) for 2016 has just begun. If you missed it do not worry as I will be hosting it three more times this year.
I love this project for it's simplicity. 3 postcards + 3 stamps = 3 weeks of happy mail! Plus, I provide a writing prompt so there is never any questions as to what to write about.
When I first began this project I had no idea that it would expand to all over the world This round we have individuals participating from:
It is incredible to me how one simple note in the mail can change a persons day for the better, bring happiness, and begin friendships. But that is what Love Notes does. It ignites sparks of love and kindness and spreads them throughout the world. The world could always use a little more love and kindness!
I wish there was a way for me to wave a magic wand and have everyone who is participating together. It would be so lovely to see be gathered around one very large table chatting about our lives, sharing our dreams, and gushing over our mutual passion for snail mail. But since that is not physically possible I invite you to join me on our virtual dock where you can stop by people's digital front porches and say hello. Get a peek into their world and see where they are writing from. Stop by and say hello.
In our social world of facebook, instagram, and twitter we forget that so many people are sharing more of their hearts on their blogs. But they are still out there, and I know they would enjoy if you popped over for a visit and you would totally make their day if you left a comment.
But if you are looking to stay social you can find Love Notes:
beautiful postcard created by Carolyn
Today I am sharing with you a Guest post from Joette. She has been an amazing support of the Love Notes Post Card Project and through the project has made a friend. Below are my questions to Joette and her responses.
Where are you from?
I live in a rural community, of about 10,000, in southern Minnesota. I have lived here all of my life.
What is your most favorite thing about where you live?
I have 2 top favorites--my mom, sister, and 2 nieces live in Waseca and I see them often. Also, my favorite thing is the location where I live. My husband built our house, our son helped, and my dad did the cement work so there are fond memories of our house from the start. Our backyard looks out over the lake and we have birds and wildlife and a peaceful view. I love sitting outside in the screened in porch drinking coffee. It is a perfect place to journal or be creative.
What are the top three things that you enjoy most in life?
My family, friends, and photography.
What peaked your interest in the Love Notes Post Card Project and made you say yes to give it a chance?
Two years ago, December, 2012, you were the guest post on Vivienne McMaster's website. I have taken some of Vivienne's online classes on self-portraiture and she is amazing! I love reading her posts and seeing her amazing photography. Vivienne wrote that day that she loves your project and "what arrives in your mailbox these days--bills, junk, coupons. When was the last time you were excited to get the mail?" Well this was so true! I wandered on over to your website and read more about the project and signed up! I was a little nervous but excited to give it a try!
What is it about the project that keeps you coming back?
Connections with people from all over. Creating postcards and notecards for them. Getting their creative postcards and words in my mailbox. It fascinates me how each of us respond so differently to your prompts. Sometimes we share more than just the prompts you give us. Writing out my postcards and mailing them.
I am still in contact with some. Each time is a new adventure! Who knows, one day maybe I will have written to someone in all 50 states and other countries!
Let's say you were sitting with a friend telling her about it, what would you say?
I would share my stories about the people that I have met and their creative postcards I have received. I would tell her that sometimes you make a connection with who you are paired with and you keep writing, whether it be occasionally postcards, or stay in touch on facebook, or continue writing. I would share with them the enjoyment of sending out my postcards to them and making them postcards or my photo cards.
You have developed a connection through the project, how did this connection with Carolyn unfold?
When I do the post card project, I tell my partner about where I live and a little about myself and I share my interests, besides doing the prompts. For some reason, I cannot do just the prompts! I enjoy doing them but I want to tell them more! You always tell us to write from the heart and that there is no right or wrong way. Because of your words, it encourages me to write the way I know how to - beyond just the prompts.
Carolyn commented when I had written in my last love notes writing that I like to, and enjoy, writing letters to friends and family. She told me she likes to write letters too. She reached out and asked in her writing "Would you like to continue?" Those simple words started a friendship - it made a connection between the two of us. I am so thankful she asked! I had thought about that possibility with Carolyn, and with others, but was never brave enough to ask because I was afraid the answer could be no. Carolyn was brave enough to ask even though she wasn't sure of what I would say. So that is our story and how our friendship began. It was serendipity!
What have you enjoyed most about writing to Carolyn and what have you learned?
I have learned and enjoy discovering the many things we have in common...we each have a son and a daughter and are both empty nesters; we both have been married a long time; we both love the movie "You've Got Mail"; we both love quilts -- she quilts and I collect them and want to learn to quilt one day; we both keep travel journals; we both have our creative space in our home; both of us are creative; we are both oldest siblings; she makes amazing handmade, unique cards, and she inspires me to create a card for her when I write her; our letters to each other are chatty.
I enjoy how joyful it is to get and read her letters. I enjoy how she inspires me to be more creative with card making. I have learned that you can sense kindness from what a person writes and how you know this is someone you could be friends with long distance. I enjoy getting her incredibly creative cards in my mailbox and her handwritten, long letters. We enjoy sharing thoughts, ideas, creativity, projects, and our lives. Someday we will meet!
How do you feel when a note from Carolyn arrives in your mailbox?
Excited! It makes my week! I cannot wait to read her long letter and see the card she created for me. I go back later and re-read her letter to be sure I haven't missed anything. And I cannot wait to sit down and answer her letter and share my life with her. I re-read her letter again as I write her back. It is another chance for me to share my photography with her or create a card for her.
Anything else you would like to share with us?
I am so happy that I read Vivienne's blog that day back in December of 2012 and you were the guest post. I am so loving your Love Notes Post Card Project and appreciate your hosting this for all of us that choose to participate. Thank you for this gift! It is so wonderful receiving mail in your mailbox and the excitement of what will the card be like that they made for you, sharing creativity, and sharing words with each other. I enjoy your posts on your website. You are such a gifted writer. You inspire me.
Another round is right around the corner, starting June 15th. You won't want to miss it. Click here to learn more and sign up!
open your heart & share your story
Hello I'm Jennifer! A writer, podcaster and heart-centered guide. I believe in the power of the written word and am here to guide you in opening your heart.
