Believe it or not I am up to date on my project to send a card expressing gratitude to a different person each day in 2011. I have discovered: (1) designing the cards using photos I have taken is easier that writing cards, (2) writing cards from the heart is difficult and time consuming, almost as much as writing a daily blog -- ideas come easier than expressed affections, (3) expressing affections is difficult because that requires sincerity/truth and it has to connect with the recipient -- I struggle to express feelings; my language of love is action, (4) cards are difficult because they have to be concise -- context, affections, examples in three to five sentences.
I have discovered great joy in this discipline. It is wonderful to remember persons who have blessed me over my lifetime and to communicate words of gratitude. I have also found myself praying for each person/couple and this may be the greater purpose of this exercise.
One other dimension of this discipline is that it is private. My series on thankfulness was public declaration. Cards are private. I recognize they are primarily a self-revelation but they are also a statement about the other person and a statement about our relationship. There is in this an implied commitment and openness to response. I did not anticipate this latter condition, i.e., I did not expect to hear back from anyone. Several persons have sent messages of appreciation for my card. Most have not. While not expected, acknowledgement of receipt of the notes is most gratifying.
On A Work-break
1-25-11 at 11:00 A.M.
I have discovered great joy in this discipline. It is wonderful to remember persons who have blessed me over my lifetime and to communicate words of gratitude. I have also found myself praying for each person/couple and this may be the greater purpose of this exercise.
One other dimension of this discipline is that it is private. My series on thankfulness was public declaration. Cards are private. I recognize they are primarily a self-revelation but they are also a statement about the other person and a statement about our relationship. There is in this an implied commitment and openness to response. I did not anticipate this latter condition, i.e., I did not expect to hear back from anyone. Several persons have sent messages of appreciation for my card. Most have not. While not expected, acknowledgement of receipt of the notes is most gratifying.
On A Work-break
1-25-11 at 11:00 A.M.
1 comment:
Got mine....and it was a tremendous blessing to me. However, it is not "flattery"--it is simply recognized truth...you are the best.
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