More Mail: Let's Send Love Letters!

Now that we've sent our lovely holiday cards to men and women serving in the military (see previous post), why don't we keep the mail train going? I know technology spares trees and makes everything in life glittery and shiny, but I still love an old school letter. I feel absolute glee over a handwritten note. Surely I'm not the only one?

My Life Coach (that's Californian for positivity focused therapist. Well, kinda. Basically, just awesome inspiration and concrete assistance in reaching goals), Jessica Colp, shared a lovely video on farcebook of a young woman named Hannah Brencher. Hannah was struggling with depression and decided to deal with it by leaving love letters to strangers tucked all over town. Coffee shops, subway stations, bookstores. She credits this small act with saving her sanity and bringing her joy. Check out her lovely 5 minute story:

Since I adore mail, I thought I should check this idea out and see if I could get involved. I did a search and found Hannah's site, MoreLoveLetters.com. I signed up for regular alerts and a 21 days of Christmas campaign, where each day we are given the story of someone who could use a love letter. Day 2 was a mother dealing with the loss of her daughter who had passed away the previous year. Hello, perspective. The site also encourages folks to leave random love letters around town and provides a few examples of what to write.

Why do I keep blabbing about mail? Well, other than being a massive nerd, I know how difficult things can be for many folks around this time of the year. Rates of suicide go up. People bury themselves in debt trying to please others and recreate the images of excess shoved down our throats. This time of the year is supposed to be about gratitude, generosity, Jesus (for the religiously inclined), and all things good and golden. But for too many folks, it's a horribly depressing time where every fear and heartache becomes amplified. So, I cling to small things that bring joy. And I'm pretty convinced that the best way to feel love is to give it, and that whatever we feed grows. What better way feel love than through writing a love letter? What better gift to humanity than to send those letters out into the world to complete strangers?

Whether or not you choose to join me on the mail bandwagon, I do hope you'll choose to spread a little love in simple, non-materialistic ways this month. The gifts are great and lawd knows I love 'em, but it's only part of the picture.

Here's my love letter to you, dear reader: Thank you for taking the time out of your busy life to sit here and read my inane blathering. If you ventured here, where I chatter about living frugally, social justice and all manner of bleeding heart do-gooder, you're more than likely the kind of person who respects resources and wants to use them wisely. I suspect you are generous, loving and a champion of those who have no voice. I bet you are an amazing friend. I think the world is a much better place because you're in it. Thank you for sharing yourself here, even if you never comment or we never have a conversation. We are all so lucky to have you in the world. I hope each and every day, you feel loved and appreciated. I hope all your best dreams come true. I want you to be happy, healthy and deliriously in love with your life. May all that is golden and good in this beautiful world be yours. You deserve it. You are a blessing. You are loved.