The world feels like a scary place. It's hard to feel hope when there's so much pain and fear. I've been thinking about what I can do to make the world a better place. How will I make things better?
I love the quote, "Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world." Malala Yousafzai. As I pondered those words, an idea formed. Letters. Cards. Mail.
I started eleven days ago (that's an important number*). Eleven days ago I started writing a card and mailing it out...every single day. Quietly. I mailed cards to my mom and my sister. I mailed cards to a high school friend and a former roommate. I'm keeping a list. I want to do this for at least a year.
As I go through the day, I find myself looking for potential recipients. It's already changed me. As for the people who've received the mail, something has already happened...many of these people have contacted me saying thank you.
It seems that we all need some love. We need to be reminded that we aren't alone. These notes are making a tiny difference in the world of those I love. I believe in the ripple effect...Mother Teresa said, "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."
Love. It will change the world. It's the only thing that ever has. Mail a card today. Jot a note on a sticky for someone. Change the world.
Happy Slicing Challenge! I'm here for my fifth year and I can't wait to see what happens.
*Today is an important day for me. Eleven years ago my dad died. I didn't plan on writing about this letter challenge that I created for myself and started ELEVEN days ago. A coincidence like this isn't just a coincidence to me...it's Dad sending me some love. Miss you and love you, Dad!*
March is the Slice of Life Challenge.
I'll be sharing a post each day in the month of March.
Please join me at Two Writing Teachers to read more slices!
Michelle, love the pic of you and your Dad. And knowing that you sending love out into into the world for eleven days is a tender sign of your Dad's love. I started a challenge to send a card a day awhile back, but I lost my steam. Your post is encouragement to me. I'm ready to start again (buy maybe not this month)!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! I've been down about all the bad stuff happening and it's had me in a funk. Spreading love is definitely a way to get out. Thanks for the inspiration and looking forward to the month of slicing with you!
ReplyDeleteI too love receiving and sending real mail. Thank you for sharing this idea. I'm going to be sending some real mail out soon!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to celebrate love! Something we can all do - a real ripple effect. Love the photo of you and your dad. It has been 46 years since my dad passed away - and I still miss him.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the inspiration to write a letter a day. It is such a wonderful idea. Love the quotes especially: "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."this all gives me hope!
ReplyDeleteI adore your greeting card project, Michelle! What a beautiful way to bring happiness to many corners of the world.
ReplyDeleteYour post is so inspiring! I love the idea of a letter/card campaign/challenge! It is so easy to get caught up in the business of living and working that I, for one, often forget that we all need some positive energy coming our way! Then, I got the the reminder about your father's gentle "push" to not only remember him but also embrace those he loved! This really is a wonderful life we live as long as we stop to notice and write.....
ReplyDeleteWonderful project. I hope that people send you some cards in return. Or even better if they send the kindness forward to someone else.
ReplyDeleteAll I need to say is, "We rise when we lift others." You are a such a wonderful lifter, my friend!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing idea, Michelle. It clearly means so much to those you are reaching out to. I know how if feels whenever I receive a handwritten note in the mail. Worth thinking about. Love the picture of you and your dad. I'm spending as much time with my 80ish parents as I can. No regrets, as we say in our house. Happy SOLC!
ReplyDeleteI love this, Michelle.! You are your own love warrior. Go. for. it. Change the world!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing a "so not coincidence". Coincidentally, my favorite number is 11 because my birthday is Oct 11th, the day I lost my dad to a heart attack back in 1988. Thanks for reminding me to do little things to change my world NOW. Glad we will be writing together here this month.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Simply beautiful, Michelle. The love you write about radiates from your heart. YOU are an inspiration, my friend.
ReplyDeleteYour dad certainly looks like he was one amazing man Michelle. You must miss him so much. I lost my mom almost 2 years ago. It’s never any easier to not have her here. Love this post and your commitment to writing. I have a challenge for you! Take one of your poems and make cards using Vista Print like Margaret was sharing in the Voxer group!! I’ll bet your pieces are better than you think ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful idea and I love that you started it, got it going and then shared it publicly. I think that is the moxie needed to keep it going.
ReplyDeleteIt was totally your dad sending a message! I love the sending card idea. You're so right - we all need some love! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMichelle...what a lovely coincidence. I think you should send your dad a card...maybe a message in a bottle that I know he will somehow know and you will somehow know that the message of love was heard. And thanks for the inspiration...have cards in my bag that need to be written in and then mailed out! All we really need is love.
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