The Power of a Note
By Tana M. Mann Easton, Lead Efficiency Engineer
The last few weeks, I’ve been writing about living the sage advice now. Another wish that our elders pass along as they’re reflecting on their lives is, “I wish I stayed in touch with my friends.”
Obviously, sometimes friends who come into our lives also exit at a certain point. That’s completely normal and natural. But personally, I like to honor the souls that have come into my life and make an indelible contribution. These VIP’s may move away and start completely different lives, but that doesn’t make them any less important to me and my story. And it doesn’t mean that I can’t continue to thank them for the part they’ve played in that story. That’s where the power of a note comes in. If people made a mark in my life for the better, they’re probably receiving yearly birthday cards and/or annual year-end cards from me. The cards are always hand-written. Sometimes I give updates on what’s going on in my life. Sometimes I recall my favorite memories with them. Sometimes I call out specific traits that I admire about them. Sometimes the notes are long. Sometimes they’re shorter. But they always affirm that the person was and continues to be important to me. And even if they never respond to the notes that I send (which is completely acceptable, I don’t want to ever gift someone with something expecting something else in return), I still feel connected to them. I also have the assurance that they know how much they mean to me, and I’m here if they ever need anything.
I love writing notes to people. It’s much easier to be vulnerable and reveal what you admire about someone over paper than in person. And the notes are things that people can keep in their possession should they wish and refer to if they’re ever having a hard time and need to be reminded of their brilliance.
Are there people in your life that you want to stay in touch with, especially after it’s no longer easy to do so because of geography/life situations/etc? Consider writing them a note. If two notes a year feel like too much, try one a year, or one every other year. If a whole card feels too big, consider a Valentine or a post-it. Or even a sentence. If you received a post-in in the mail that simply said, “You have mattered in my life,” with the signature of the person who sent it, that would probably mean something to you correct? You can be the giver of that gift to other people for the cost of a thought, a minute, a piece of paper and envelope, and a stamp. Don’t underestimate the power of a note.
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Lovingly Yours,
Focus to Evolve Team