Rediscover the Quiet Delight of Letters

In the ‘60s, a lot of people “turned on and tuned out.”  Today, we’re so tuned in, we are “WiFi-ed” and “GPS’d” 24-7.  Armed with cellphones, BlackBerrys, iPods, satellite radio and instant messaging, many of us have never been more “connected” … or so overwhelmed.

In the steadily growing chaos we call life – with its never-ending meteor shower of information, commentary and noise – more and more people are rediscovering the quiet delight of sending and receiving cards and letters. 

Letters help make moments special.  Joys are recorded, shared and savored.  Problems fade, or at least gain perspective, when they are written down and shared with family or friends by mail.  When you sit down to write a friend, you are never alone.

Taking the time to write a letter says so much to the recipient.  Pausing to think about your friend or loved one, to revisit your memories and experiences, and to put those thoughts and emotions on paper bring these feelings to life for you as well as the recipient.  And when flowers have wilted, chocolates have turned to unwanted pounds, IMs and e-mails have been deleted, and phone conversations have been forgotten, letters of love and messages of comfort and consolation remain, to be read and appreciated over and over again.

Unplug.  Turn off.  Slow down for a moment or two.  Take off the headset.  Recognize that sound?  It’s called “silence.”  Kinda nice, huh?  Savor the moment.  Then share it, and your feelings, with a friend or loved one.  Write them a letter.  Show them you care in a personal, lasting way.