Write A Letter (Part 7)

Thinking of you!

How nice to receive a note from someone you haven’t taken the time to keep in touch with.

Take the first step… go to your nearest dollar store, and pick up some “blank on the inside” note cards.  Then stop at the post office and get some fun postage stamps.  Finally, go home and open your address book and find the 8 or 12 relatives you haven’t spoken to in a while.

Just cuz…

Write A Letter (Part 6)

I am an entertainment fanatic. I love television, movies, even commercials!

When I was a kid, I would write to my favorite television and movie entertainers. I remember my absolute favorite response was from Mary Martin, who played Peter Pan on Broadway many many years before I was born.

I had been cast in a supporting role of a production of South Pacific in a theater group one summer when I was off from high school. I watched the movie and bought the soundtrack, and learned that Mary Martin originated the role of Nellie Forbush in the original Broadway production of South Pacific. So I went to the library (there was no Internet then) and wrote a letter (I don’t remember where I sent it), and later that summer, I received a wonderful letter and signed picture.

It’s twenty-five years later, and I don’t know whatever happened to that picture, but the memory is wonderful. And I wanted to recapture those feelings, so I came across this great web site called Movie Eye (www.movieeye.com) that gives you addresses of entertainers. It’s not the creepy stalky thing, it’s mostly producer’s and fan mail addresses, but the success of the members (you have to register, but it is free!) is documented.

My first autographed picture came a couple of months ago. Betty White – I think she is so fun, and she does great things for companion animals. I found her address on the site, sent a letter, and within two weeks, had the photo. It’s in my cubicle.

I know it’s kind of dorky, but it’s fun, it’s harmless, and maybe you could get a photo of your favorite entertainer, so write a letter, just cuz!

Write A Letter (Part 5)

It doesn’t matter whether you support the conflicts overseas or not.  I’m assuming and hoping that you do, however, support the men and women who are over there!

Every day the brave men and women of our country put their lives at risk – not because they want to, but because it’s their job, and I firmly believe it is each and every U.S. citizen’s duty to praise and support them for their bravery and hard work – not necessarily because you agree or disagree with the politics behind the conflict, but because these men and women are risking their lives.

I was in Iraq, working as a civilian, for eight months in 2006 and 2007. I was fortunate enough that I did not witness or become caught up in some of the horrible things that are going on. I made a lot of friends with military personnel from over 13 countries – I had no idea the diversity of the people and countries working over there.

But that’s not the point of the post. The point is – the suggestion is – let our gals and guys know that you are pulling for them; that you care; that you appreciate their bravery and courage; that you pray for them to come home safely.

Check out America Supports You – a program designed by the U.S. Department of Defense that provides us a means of showing our support for our troops.

Send a note, a care package, a prayer, or a kind thought — I know, from experience, that the military personnel over there absolutely LOVE to get mail. You can also go online and do your own search to come up with a way to show your support.

Do it just cuz…

Write A Letter (Part 4)

The first day I thought about starting this site/blog, one of the things I wanted to start doing was to send anonymous well-wishes to people. And I welcome you to do the same! Here’s how it works:

Run to your local dollar store and pick up some inexpensive cards that are blank on the inside. Once a month, or week, or daily (if you have the time and gumption), write a note to someone. I’m starting with people in my office – people that I either don’t know that well, or people who appear to need a little day brightener.

The card will say something like “hello” and wishes them a little bit of happiness. I thought a cool message would be:

Here’s a wish that you make someone smile today,
and that someone does the same for you!

Make it more “selfless” by not signing your name, just sign the card “Just cuz…” and leave it on a co-worker’s desk.

Write A Letter (Part 3)

Have you lost touch with someone from high school or a former job? Why not hop on a search engine and try to find them. Re-establish lost friendships. There are many “address finder” sites on the internet that allow you to search by last name. The sites give you a list of practically everyone in the US that has their name and address listed in a white pages.

So find that friend who sat next to you in band class sophomore year, and send a letter out of the blue, asking how they’ve been since the last time you saw them. Contact that co-worker you used to have drinks with on Friday nights, write them a letter asking them how their kids are doing.

Think of it this way… wouldn’t it be nice for you to receive a letter from someone you haven’t thought of in years?

Bring back some nice memories, just cuz.

Write A Letter (Part 2)

This is not a political blog. This is a blog that helps me think of ideas to just do some positive stuff in the world. Positive things I am thankful for in the United States include:

• my right to vote
• my right to voice my opinion
• my right to turn the channel
• my right to pursue happiness

Whether you consider yourself conservative, moderate, liberal, or shades of each, let your voice be heard. Write a letter when you feel something is unjust. Conversely, write a letter when you read about something that you like. Also, even though the title of this entry is “Write a Letter,” I think it’s important, and a good thing, to vote. I’ve told friends of mine, and I truly believe that “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain” (though I’ve used a word other than “complain”).

So vote, write, speak, listen, and participate. Just cuz.

For more information on voter registration, visit:

United States Election Assistance Commission (http://www.eac.gov)
League of Women Voters (http://www.lwv.org)
Rock the Vote (http://www.rockethevote.com)
Declare Yourself (http://www.declareyourself.com)
Project Vote (http://www.projectvote.org)

Write A Letter (Part 1)

When a person feels they’ve been slighted or treated poorly, most of the time they will say something, either to the person who slighted them, or the owner of the establishment, or the president of the company.

When things go right, or near-perfectly, we tend to let it go and chalk it up to “that’s the way it’s supposed to be” and leave it at that.

How about this? Next time your waiter gives you good service, or the food at your favorite restaurant is done to your satisfaction, or someone at your local department store takes the time to walk with you to show you where that gadget is, ask them their name. Then look them in the eye and with meaning, thank them and tell them that you appreciate what they did.

But wait, there’s more!

When you get home, grab a sheet of stationary that has been collecting dust in your desk drawer, and take the time to write a letter to the company, thank them for having an employee such as the one that helped you out, or who cooked an exceptional meal.

It’s one of those things that is so easy to do, and most of the time, we just don’t. So just do… just cuz.