Let's talk about Hand Writing

I love hand made things.  A loaf of bread, a knitted sweater, flowers and vegetables grown in one's own garden, a home-cooked meal... these and other hand made creations warm my heart.   You see, it's all about personal touch.  Therefore you're probably not surprised that I prefer handwriting to typing.  I view handwriting as a real art form and it saddens me that so many schools are deciding to eliminate cursive writing from their curriculum.

Creativity is enchanting, all sorts of creativity, even the most simple act of putting pen to paper in creating one's own unique and very personal script.  Handmade script is art - good art or sometimes bad art. but art nonetheless.  And, just as one artist will enjoy viewing the art of other artists, I enjoy viewing the handwriting of other writers.

Some handwriting is handsome and inspiring. Other handwriting can be a real puzzlement, very hard to read with its haphazard lines and squiggles. Still, I prefer handmade to machine made script.  Beautiful or beastly, the personal touch is always superior to that of a machine.

When I receive a handsome handwritten letter I experience a lift.  Beauty does that to me.  I'm surprised everyone doesn't want to develop a handsome handwriting because one's handwriting is a reflection of one's self.

Practice makes... no, not perfect,  Practice makes improvement.  And here's a handwriting tip if you're looking to spruce up your script.  Slow your hand down and write a little larger.  These two simple actions will do wonders for legibility and style.  Slowing down will also probably do wonders for your blood pressure.

Having a legible and pleasing handwriting is something to be proud of and using that pleasing handwriting skill to send personal messages to family, friends and business associates is a lovely practice.  Why? It's because handwritten messages show we're thinking of a person and willing to spend our precious time making something unique and original just for them. Because these personal messages are so rare they stand out in a very good way.

I always knew this, but I was delighted to see a modern technological company, Gracious Eloise, agreeing with me.  This company advertises and sells  faux personal correspondence. Crazy huh?  They will write notes for their customers in what they call realistic digital handwriting, complete with the random quirks and wobbles of real human beings.  They obviously realize there's value in personal touch, and as they say in their ad, "they'll help their customers personally connect in business utilizing the power of digital handwriting to cut through the clutter of their fast-paced lives."

Unfortunately, this digital handwriting, no matter how authentic it may look , is not really personal.  IT'S FAKE!

To write a real personal note or letter you need a real person doing the real writing, I'm sorry, but only then will that note or letter evoke a  real warm and fuzzy response.

But besides delighting others with our handwritten messages we can delight ourselves with our handwriting.  I find writing as relaxing and rejuvenating as going off to a spa. Have you ever gone to a spa?  I have and it's a real treat, quite refreshing, but I have had  lovely spa experiences while staying right at home.

Every now and then it's time for a "Spa Day".  I give myself permission to take the day off and relax at home partaking in luxurious treatments - shampoo, facial, manicure, bubble bath and healthful activities too - exercise and/or walks in nature.  And on my spa days I enjoy long and sensuous writing sessions.  I settle in a comfortable location, pull out my fountain pen and enjoy crafting slow, flowing strokes across smooth, clean paper.  As I focus on positive and beautiful thoughts, creating words to express those thoughts, my spirit soars. This physical process is soothing and sensuous and the sharing doubles my joy.

If I'm tense or rushed my handwriting suffers, but as I slow down and gracefully form my letters with care I can almost feel the tension melt away. The slow, flowing movement of my pen across the paper, along with the quiet time spent in reflection, create the effect of a mental and physical massage.  I step away from my writing time refreshed and rejuvenated.

This is because handwriting is not only physical but also physiological and psychological. David V. Barrett explains this writing process in his book Graphology. He says, "When you write you use manual skills that are learned throughout your life, but handwriting is also self expression."

It's interesting how a class of children taught the same handwriting style will all develop that style in different ways.  By early adulthood the handwriting of each class member will be unique, showing each individuals personality.  And writing can actually help us think.

How neat is all that?  Like a lock of our hair or a DNA sample, our handwriting is a bit of our unique self.  Therefore, when we send a handwritten message to someone we are truly sending a bit of our self to them.  It's personal, and it's no wonder that receiving such a message makes a person feel honored and special.

And your handwriting could teach you things about yourself too, things you did not know.  Try this:  Take a sheet of paper, 8 x 10 inches, and fill the whole page with your handwriting.  Write about anything at all - what you did today, what your hopes are for the future, what you need to do tomorrow ...

then pick up a handwriting analysis book like "Handwriting Analysis Putting it to work for you" by Andrea McNichol.  This book was consulted by the FBI, the U.S. Department of Justice, Scotland Yard, the U.S. Department of Defense, and Fortune 500 companies.

In this book you'll learn things like: People with small handwriting tend to be modest.   People whose handwriting slopes to the left may be unwilling to go out and fight the world.  People with a right slant often like to show their feelings and take an active part in life.

As you look over your handwriting while reading an analysis book you will discover things about yourself you might be very interested to learn.

So you see there's more to handwriting than meets the eye at first glance. It's art and it's a fascinating subject, just as you are a fascinating subject.  Your handwriting is you.   Think about it, then do more than think.  Get yourself a pen, some paper and ...

Write

Hand Write

I Simply Remember my Favorite Things

[caption id="attachment_3195" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Today's letter[/caption]I simply remember my favorite things and then... I bet you thought I was going to say, and then I don't feel so bad, but no.  I was going to say, then I feel wonderful! I guess it all depends just how much we love those favorite things we're remembering.  Well, I have a lot of favorite things and I hope you do too, but as you might imagine, a lot of my very favorite things have to do with The Art of Letter Writing.

Do you realize how hard it is, if not impossible, to focus on two things at the same time?  There could be dirt all over the floor along with other things not so pretty, but in that same room there could also be beautiful objects- flowers, gorgeous paintings, pretty fabrics... If we focus our attention on the lovely things, we will feel one way - probably lovely, but if we focus our attention on the dirt and mess, we just might feel quite differently.

My point here is simple.  We should train ourselves to focus on those things which make us feel wonderful, unless of course we're in the process of working on those other more dreary items in order to improve or eliminate them.   Of course, that's if we want to be happy, but I rather like to be happy myself, don't you?

Not all my favorite things are of a material nature, but we do live in a material world after all, so many are.  I love and live in an old house.  I love antique china, linen, crystal, and I love using these things daily.  I love country inns and elegant old hotels and try to visit them often.  I love cities oozing with charm and I love nature in all its glory.  There's also puppy dogs and girl friends, afternoon tea and intimate candlelit dinners. music, art, books, cooking and baking... the list goes on and on.

Yes, I must be a real material girl for I love all sorts of material things, and just as Oscar Hammerstein II suggested, simply remembering  these favorite things can prevent dreary thoughts from taking hold.  Cultivating rituals around these things   is even better, for then these favorite things develop into passions and living with passion is wonderful.  Do you live with passion?

Because The Art of Letter Writing has become a passion with me I am also quite passionate about the physical materials used in creating my letters. As some might feel a thrill of excitement when discovering a shoe or sporting goods shop I feel that excitement  at a stationery store.  Sealing wax in all its colors of the rainbow enchants  me.

I love particular pens and inks, paper in all sizes and colors.  I love stickers and ribbon, water color pencils and paper punches that stamp out tiny little leaves for autumn tree designs for my stationery.  What we have to say in a letter is important of course, perhaps the most important thing, but the look of our letter adds an element of fun and put the two together and we have ART!

I know not everyone gets as carried away with the "art"  aspect of letters as I do.  I had a correspondent, a Scottish lady in Canada, who cleaned offices after hours. Her stationery consisted of the half-used paper she'd find in the wastebaskets there.  This paper  worked for her and maybe that would work for you too, but for me and a lot of my penfriends the art aspect of letters is at least 50% of the fun.

[caption id="attachment_3200" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Kathy's artful letter envelope[/caption]

I would never tell anyone how their letter must look or what materials they should use in writing it because this reminds me of a certain interior designer I know who preaches individualism and yet has a list of do's and don'ts for her customers that totally erases all their individuality.  "Don't cover your windows", she says.  "Let the light pour in."  "Don't choose dark colors.  They're depressing and dreary."  Ha! Says who? Says this decorator.  But maybe her customers like dark colors and drapery.

Maybe you like typing black words onto white paper for your letters and if that makes you happy, that's great!  I mean it, but if you're looking for a creative outlet consider the art play involved in The Art of Letter Writing.  Lots of people don't think they're very artistic until they give art a try.  You might discover an undiscovered pleasure which just could grow into a delightful passion.  That's what happened for me.

Jean Renoir said, "True art is in the doing of it."  He didn't say anything about qualifications, training or end product.  Just have fun doing it.

You are a physical being. Letter writing is a physical activity using physical materials so -

Let's Get Physical!

Write some letters

Forget the numbers. It's the one-to-one that matters.

Are you on Facebook?  It certainly is the rage these days.  Post something and it's out there for all the world to see.  Though Facebook is definitely pretty amazing, I prefer my correspondence to be more personal, one-to-one. I suppose there are times when we want to reach many people at once.  Perhaps we have general information to share, then Facebook is great, but life seems sweeter to me when I'm turning acquaintances into real friends by reaching out to them one by one.

Real friendship requires a certain amount of intimacy and writing a letter is one great way to create that intimacy with another person.  A hand written letter is also a genuine modern-day luxury because it offers us the chance to slow down, sit still for a while and be reflective.

I'm not the only one who prefers 'the personal touch'.  Mother Teresa of Calcutta, one of my "dead friends", was a great advocate for life with 'the personal touch'.  Teresa said, "Forget the numbers.  It's the one-to-one that matters.  Be kind in words."  I'm always pleased when bona fide saints happen to agree with me, and I like to think I'm actually continuing Mother Teresa's work here on earth for though I may not always be there for the sick and dying as she was, I sometimes am.

I try to send get well cards with encouraging letters tucked inside to those who are ill and I write letters to people in hospice.  One of my favorite cousins received my daily letter during the seven weeks she was in hospice.  Susan, who happened to be one of my  favorite pen friends, wasn't up for in-person visits, but hopefully my daily letter visits were able to show her I cared without disturbing her.  This was my way to  brighten her last days just a little bit.  Her daughter Stephanie would sit by Susan's bedside and read my letters too, and now Stephanie, who never had been into letter writing herself,  is  now keeping in touch with me by letter as her mother did.  I think Susan would like that.

Sharing little personal things (all sorts of them) along with a little bit of love, can enrich our life and the lives of others.  I love to cook and bake, but I know not everyone loves these activities so I wouldn't share my favorite recipes with all my letter friends, only with the cookers and bakers.  These foodies will also share their favorite recipes with me and this sharing is great fun for us!  Are you a cooker or baker? If you are you might like the recipe my pen friend Wendy passed on to me.  Wendy lives in Michigan and though her daughter went to The University of Michigan and one of my sons went to Ohio State University, we still manage to be friendly letter friends.  (In case you don't know, these two schools are fierce rivals.)  Wendy's recipe for an  Asparagus-Ricotta Tart sounds good to me and I bet it looks great too with the asparagus spears decorating its top.  It seems quite simple and easy and I'm happy to share it with you should you be interested in cooking:

ASPARAGUS-RICOTTA TART

Pour mixture of 15 oz. ricotta cheese, 4 eggs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup milk, salt and pepper into a 10 inch non-stick oven safe skillet.  Top with asparagus spears, trimmed to fit and bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes.  This recipe serves four people,or one very hungry person.

[caption id="attachment_3170" align="aligncenter" width="225"] A letter can change your life[/caption]Speaking of foodies and sharing through letters, I would like to share a blog post written on January 14, 2012 by cookbook author Susan Branch.  Susan says a letter changed her life.  She writes:

"A long time ago when I was told that my first book was going to be published, I was beside myself with shock and happiness.  I hadn't met Joe yet, [her husband] I didn't have Martha and Lowely [her cats I think] in my life; I knew very few people on the island, [Martha's Vineyard] so I was alone, jumping up and down in my kitchen when it happened, getting on the phone, screaming for joy into the ears of my parents and friends in California! [because as you know sharing doubles the joy]  But that even pales (slightly) to what happened a few months after the book came out.  It was a day I'll never forget... a freezing January afternoon.  I'd gone to the post office to pick up my mail, parked my old green Volvo in front of a grey snow bank and left the engine (and the heater) running.  I picked my way over dirty parking-lot ice, through the glass doors of the post office;  it seemed like just a normal winter day;  I was feeling a little isolated and alone on the island, freezing, dark, grey, wintry Martha's Vineyard.  I was still a relatively new transplant, a stranger in a strange land.  When I got back to the car, I flipped through my mail and saw a pale blue envelope with a return address I didn't recognize, written in an unfamiliar handwriting.  It made me curious, of course, so I opened it right away.  It was a letter from a woman I didn't know telling me, in the most beautiful words imaginable, how much my book ("Heart of the Home") meant to her.  I couldn't believe it; I sat there in the snow and cried tears of gratitude.  Suddenly, my world had changed ;  I wasn't isolated!  I wasn't alone!  My heart overflowed with happiness;  I clutched that letter to me, would have hugged it if it was bigger!  It had never occurred to me ever that someone might take the time to write and tell me they liked my book. IT CHANGED MY LIFE."

See?  I'm not kidding when I say a personal letter can change your life or the life of someone else.

[caption id="attachment_3172" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Letters are intimate sharing much like the sharing of secrets being whispered to another.[/caption] Our world is getting so impersonal.  People in the same room will prefer to text rather than speak to one another.  In days gone by people might not have had texting and email, but they had more in-person visitation.  How many people have dropped over to your house for a personal visit recently, perhaps with a pretty bouquet of flowers? How many people have recently invited you for an intimate dinner at their house?  How many people have you invited over for afternoon tea?  Face to face communication in the home was common years ago.  Secrets were shared.  Ideas were exchanged.  News was reported in person.  One-to-one communication was at its best!

Visiting, dinner parties, afternoon teas, all lovely social traditions, and I'm all for bringing these traditions back into style.  When people of the past could not get together in person the next best thing was to hand write a personal letter.  Well, the good news is, though we have all sorts of modern communication today it is still possible, and most delightful, to partake in these old world ways.  These things are delightful because they involve the human touch.

Just as candlelight remains a romantic alternative to electric light, or as a wood-burning fireplace creates superior ambiance to a gas heater, a hand written personal letter, created by one person to one person, remains a great way to foster intimacy in a relationship.  Writing a letter is a great way to show someone we're thinking of them and we care about them.  I'm sure Mother Teresa would agree, for unlike Facebook, in letter writing we forget the numbers and reach out to one soul at a time.  If we add great love to our letters, well, that's all the better.

So go find some paper,  a pen, and write a letter to someone you care about.  Make it personal.  Make it pretty.  "Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart".  That's William Wordsworth's advice, mine too, and I bet Mother Teresa would third that advice as well.  Just do it!  You'll be glad you did and so will the lucky recipient of your letter.

[caption id="attachment_3174" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A letter from Michelle[/caption]

So, as my pen friend Michelle of Washington D.C. recently wrote, " That is all for now. Hope we can keep the Post Office busy from now on.  Until the next time, I'll put a pot of tea on and think of you."

The Letter Writing Ritual

What is a ritual?  The Mirriam-Webster Dictionary defines ritual as an act or series of acts regularly repeated in a set precise manner.  Wikipedia tells us the term ritual is sometimes used in a technical sense for a repetitive behavior systematically used by a person to neutralize or prevent anxiety.

Well, I find letter writing in general  to be a great anxiety neutralizer because as I step off the fast track, sit myself down, reflect on my life situation and share that reflection with a friend in a slow careful manner, I become more calm and at peace.  And in this calm thoughtful state it's easier to focus on the positive, fighting off the negative.  Rushing destroys grace, but mindful relaxation cultivates grace and when I'm in this 'state of grace' life seems more manageable and more beautiful too.

 But with all there is to do how do we make time for writing letters?  The answer is simple.  We decide to make letter writing a priority and we create a letter writing ritual.  After all, life is a series of choices and we are the creators of our life, the ones who make those choices.  Though modern life can easily fill up our day with a swirl of "to do's" we have the power to say STOP if we choose to use that power.

But what exactly is a letter writing ritual?

A letter writing ritual is the carefully planned approach we create in regard to the who, what, when, where  and how that's involved in our letter writing process.

When we pay close attention to all the details of our ritual, making these details orderly and pleasing to our sensibilities, we then elevate our letter writing activity into the realm of a peak aesthetic experience.  So let's talk about how one would create such a ritual.

THE WHO

In order to get right down to writing when the time comes it helps to know just who will be getting the next letter.  Having a list of letter recipients in place helps with this matter, and only you know who should be on your list.  As you receive letters you can certainly enter the names of these letter friends  - and favorite friends might be put on a priority response list.   But you might also like to add the names of others - your children, elderly friends and relations - anyone you care about, people who may or may not write back to you.  Your list could include the names of people who need a get well letter or birthday letter. Think through all the people you know.

You can begin a new correspondence by writing a first letter to someone you know and like asking lots of questions so they have reason to write back to you.  Be creative.  There might be people you know who need a little encouragement, deserve a little praise.  Write to children.  Everyone loves to get a personal letter.   Give a little creative thought to the matter and design a system that will help you know just who is to get your next letter automatically.  This systematic list created by you will  truly make it easier to get right down to writing when you finally have the time to write.

I like to keep a special list containing the names of  people who send me a Christmas card each year.  I might not have the time in busy December to send all these people a card with a personal letter inside, but if their names are on my list I will get around to them sooner or later.  Lists are helpful.

THE WHAT

What kind of stationery do you like to use?  Maybe you always send greeting cards with letters inside those cards.  Maybe you use monogrammed stationery.  You might design your own papers.  Perhaps you create photo note cards.  There are so many wonderful types of stationery for our letters.  If you're like me you enjoy using all sorts of materials.  In order not to spend a lot of time deciding just what papers to use each time you write it is helpful to have these choices organized in some way.  Maybe the decision is easy for you because you always use exactly the same light blue paper with dark blue ink, but if you're like me, you'll need to decide in advance what approach you'll take in using your materials. It's fun to take stock of the possibilities and design your own approach for then when it's time to write a letter you'll go directly to the paper, postage stamps, sealing wax and inks without time spent deliberating the choices.

THE WHEN

The Bible says there's a time for all things under heaven, but unless we set appointments for these things they often get pushed back, pushed in, and sometimes pushed right out of the picture.  In order to guarantee regular letter writing it helps to have a  set time each day, or at least each week.  Just as we brush our teeth each morning or cut the grass each Saturday, having an appointment set with pen and paper makes letter writing happen.

I write one letter first thing every morning as I enjoy that first cup of coffee.  I rise early to be sure I am undisturbed. Then later in the afternoon when I'm ready for a break, I know it's time once again for a little letter writing.

Some people with full time jobs enjoy writing their letters after dinner when their day is winding down. It doesn't matter when we write, but it does matter that we have a regular time for writing.  Without a set time established other tasks will try, and usually succeed, in squeezing themselves into the picture as they squeeze  your letter writing  out the picture.

THE WHERE

I think it's important to write our letters in a pleasing location.  I can't imagine enjoying my letter writing time as much as I do if I were sitting before a sink full of dirty dishes or in a room that's messy. In order to encourage peaceful uplifting thoughts a peaceful uplifting setting usually works best - at least this is true for me.

My morning letter writing time during warm months is enjoyed on my porch for it's here I have a view of nature in all it's glory.  I find trees, birds, green grass and skies fine companions for letter writing. They keep my thoughts fixed to the lovelier things in life.

But when the weather turns cold  writing  letters in my library with a fire burning in the fireplace feels cozy and comforting.  My good friend  Bruce  always lit a beeswax candle at the start of his letter writing.  He also sat before a window so he could focus on the sky. He would describe its beauty at the start of each of his letters.   Putting yourself in a place that soothes the savage beast in you (and we all have those little beasties unnerving us)  will undoubtedly make your letter writing time more pleasurable.

THE WHY

Why do we write letters?  Well, as we reach out to others we're reaching into ourselves.  Flannery O'Connor, the Irish novelist, said she doesn't know what she thinks till she sees what she writes. Writing is like that.  It helps us think.  Until we sit ourselves down in quietude and reflect a lot gets past us.  Most of my creative ideas occur to me while I'm writing.  As I share my enthusiasm for projects, appreciation for favorite things, as I react to my friend's enthusiasm and appreciations, I feel energized.  But writing also helps us relax.  Writing helps us share.  Writing exercises our intellect.  It is art.  It can become a ministry as we show that we care about others.

To write any  letter is a complete treat, a treat for the writer and a treat for the lucky recipient.  But to have a  letter writing ritual in place not only safe guards our letter writing time making it automatic, but it also makes the process richer and more satisfying because  all the details are worked out in advance and designed exactly the way we like them.  Paying close attention to these details involved in letter writing truly elevates our activity to the level of a peak aesthetic experience.

Yes it does!

Make new friends but keep the old

[caption id="attachment_3092" align="aligncenter" width="300"] My letter from Lana[/caption]Have you made any new friends lately?  I have.  My newest friend is Lana.  She is from Arizona.  I think it's pretty nifty that a girl from Ohio (me) can meet and make friends with a girl from Arizona (Lana) without even leaving my house.  That's The Art of Letter Writing for you.  I met Lana through the organization known as The Letter Exchange.  What a lovely letter she recently sent me in response to one of my search letters to her.  (In case you don't know or remember what my search letters are let me explain.  A search is a first letter I write a person in answer to their ad  found in The Letter Exchange magazine)

Lana's  paper, her hand writing, and the words she shared in her first letter to me were all a delight.  The first paragraph of Lana's letter read like this:  "How wonderful to discover your letter in my mailbox. Thank you for putting a smile on my face.  Such unexpected surprises add zest to one's day and are surely some of life's simple pleasures."

Well, right back at you Lana.  Getting Lana's letter sure put a smile on my face too, and I agree wholeheartedly that such unexpected pleasures add zest to life.

I must've mentioned a love for afternoon tea in my letter to Lana because this tea bag turned up in her letter to me.  How thoughtful of her!  I could have opened the tea bag and brewed a cup of tea to enjoy while reading her letter.  Well, I'll surely do that as I write my next letter to her.

But the tea bag wasn't the only  present Lana sent me.  She also sent me a friendship book.  It seems Lana was reading my blog and came upon the post I wrote about friendship books.  This is what she had to say on the subject:

"I was taken with your post about Friendship Books.  I am unfamiliar with them but excited to learn.  Included you will see my first attempt.  This was a small gift enclosure card.  May I ask you to send me a "real" FB?  And would you please pass along mine?"

[caption id="attachment_3096" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Lana's very first friendship book, but I'm sure not the last one she makes.[/caption]

I'll surely tell Lana what a very sweet friendship book she made AND that her friendship book is as REAL as friendship books get.  She signed it, added her address and  noted a few of her favorite things - letters, animals and travel.  Now it's for me to sign the little book and of course I'll be sending it on in my next letter.

[caption id="attachment_3097" align="aligncenter" width="225"] The last page of Lana's friendship book[/caption]

One day Lana's friendship book will return to her because on the last page of her little book she added her name, address and this colorful message:  Please return to.  The friendship book will return to her with the names and addresses of people anxious to become her newest  letter friends. This friendship book will really get around as it travels from pen friend to pen friend.  If you are one of my pen friends it just may turn up in your mailbox!   Now wouldn't that be fun?   But if you don't get Lana's  friendship book make a few of your own and get them going, spreading friendship around the globe.   You'll then have the opportunity to make  wonderful new pen friends as I have with Lana and other lovely people.

But no matter how many new friends we're  lucky enough to make it's great to stay true to old friends too.  You've heard the saying -

Make new friends, but keep the old.  Some are silver, some are gold.

There's a lot of wisdom to this saying.

[caption id="attachment_3102" align="aligncenter" width="225"] One of Joy' s lovely letters to me[/caption]

I'm guessing Lana is silver and Joy is gold. Joy is one of my favorite pen friends.  I've been writing to Joy for quite some time now.  She is a breath of fresh air.  Joy had been living in Switzerland 'till recently. Now she lives in South Carolina. The lady gets around!

[caption id="attachment_3099" align="aligncenter" width="300"] One of Joy's very pretty letters to me.[/caption]

Yes, Joy gets around and she stays pretty busy too.  Lately she has started a new enterprise.  Joy has gone into the post card business.  For a long time she's enjoyed photographing things of beauty, turning pictures into postcards in order to delight her pen friends.  Well, lately she has decided to spread the joy beyond her circle of friends ... to people like YOU!

[caption id="attachment_3104" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Joy's business card[/caption]

The other day I received two of her new business card in a letter.  I checked out her website which had sample pictures of the cards she has for sale, and I was quite impressed.  I think Joy's cards would be delightful presents for anyone who enjoys correspondence.  You might like to investigate Joy's website for yourself:

www.instilloimages.com

When you view Joy's photography you will probably agree with me - that she has a real eye for beauty. Whether her subjects come from her former European surroundings or from nature or from wherever,  Joy's postcards are lovely to behold and they would be a pleasure to receive.  I keep telling  Joy she was given exactly the right name for she really is joy personified.  That joy could possibly come from all the beauty she focuses on in her life.   I have heard it said that if we look at enough beauty the beauty becomes us.   And beauty and joy go hand in hand.

[caption id="attachment_3107" align="aligncenter" width="300"] My letter to Joy[/caption]

Today it's my turn to write Joy.  I don't know what's more fun, writing her or finding one of her charming letters in my mailbox.  That's how The Art of Letter Writing is, isn't it?  Old friends, new friends, giving, receiving - sharing joy.  WONDERFUL FUN!

I can not imagine how dull life would be without letter friends.  I hope you have a hand full of your own, and I hope you are always open to adding more friendship to your life.  That's because...

"A friend is a person who knows the music of your heart and reminds you of it when you forget."

 Albert Einstein

Slow down! You move too fast

Have you noticed how the tempo of modern life seems to be moving faster and faster?  This is especially true in the area of communication.  I'm all for new inventions, but must we throw out everything old in order to enjoy the new?  Most people will say they don't write letters because letters are just too slow!  But what's wrong with slow?  People dashing around fast and furiously would do well to slow down now and then.

Many people enjoy hiking or taking  leisurely walks through a park.  I sure do, do you?  I suppose you could drive through a park quickly, but that drive certainly wouldn't be as satisfying and sensual an experience as a walk. When we walk we see nature up close.  In walking we're more able to appreciate the beauty around us.  We enjoy the fragrance of nature.  We stretch our legs and wake up our muscles.  Our thoughts run freely as we walk and in this peaceful state creativity flourishes.  We don't need to take these walks, but if we partake in them our life is richer.

Well, just as no one is telling us we must take walks, no one is telling us we must write letters either, but people who have discovered both activities are surely richer for experiencing them.  Both walking and letter writing give us great exercise, the kind of exercise we modern folks need to be at our very best. Walking gives us a healthy physical workout and writing a letter, though also physical,  gives us  social, intellectual and spiritual exercise as well .

Both walking and letter writing are truly work, but pleasurable work, and this work is good for us.  But you know how work is.  It takes a little effort.  Also,  if a person hasn't  tried either activity they don't know what they're missing AND if a person is out of shape, either physically or intellectually, they will struggle a little at first, but that struggle is worthwhile.

No pain no gain

We all know why sitting around too much makes us fat and lazy.  Well, never thinking, never reflecting, never sharing our deeper thoughts with others, makes us intellectually sluggish and inarticulate.

To slow down and sit still now and then is good for us, especially if while we're sitting we're doing more than watching television.  If we choose to write a letter we're using physical skills, social skills, intellectual skills and spiritual skills.  I've told you before that  letter writing is a complete treat, well, it's also a complete workout.  It's healthy!

Writing a letter may be a slow activity, but nothing is good nor bad.  Tis thinking makes things so. Where some people think a letter's  slowness is a fault, I know it's a blessing.  I don't mind the time it takes for my letters to reach their destinations and my letter friends don't insist I rush to answer their missives. Speed is not the most important thing in all personal communication.  Thoughtful expression trumps speed.  Caring and sharing trumps speed.  The personal touch trumps speed.  Art play trumps speed. Having  a chest full of  lasting, intimate messages tied up with ribbon trumps speed.

 Hand writing a letter is a slow, pleasurable physical activity. It is certainly not instant messaging.  It is so much more than that.  Handwriting is art.  When we slow down and take our time to write a personal letter the process for the writer is like an intellectual massage, or doing slow physical yoga, or enjoying  a long friendly chat with a friend over coffee. or spending time in prayer for our penfriend.   If we limit our venting in a letter (though a little is sometimes good for the soul) and focus instead on positive, beautiful thoughts, we come away from our letter writing time refreshed and inspired.  I know I do.

So, if you've not been writing letters, thinking they were too slow and old fashioned an activity for modern you, well, just think of these words from Robert Frost.  He says,

"There's absolutely no reason for being rushed along with the crowd.  Everyone should be free to go very slowly."

Modern man thinks he loses something - time - when he does not do things quickly; yet he does not know what to do with the time he gains - except kill it

Erich Fromm