A Written Challenge.

My word for 2013 was intentional and at the beginning of 2014 I deemed “intentional” a life word and added present as my 2014 word. I want to be intentional and present in all of my relationships, and all of the things that I do both business and personally. I’m fairly decent at reaching out to family and friends making sure they know that I’m thinking about them and that I am thankful for them and whatnot. Feelings haven’t always been a strong point of mine but it’s something that I’ve been working on over the years.

Now, I will be very honest and I will tell you that I am good at reaching out via phone call but I’m very good at reaching out via text message. It’s easy to send a text message and say “hey, how are you.” It literally takes moments and I can come back to the conversation when I have a moment rather than devoting a certain amount of time for a phone call. In fact, my grandmother got a smart phone and she texts me nearly every day. Text messaging has become a way of life and a normal form of communication for everyone, young and old. I’ve even heard voice messages that say

“I’m unavailable right now but if you leave me a message I’ll get back to you soon as I can. For a best faster response though send me a text message.”

Text messaging has become much more common within the last few years than it was 10 years ago.

Now although all of this is fine, but there still something really great about a handwritten note. Receiving that piece of paper in the mail hand written with your friend or family member’s handwriting. There’s something so personal about it even if it’s a quick card that says it all and they sign their name. It is the extra effort that they got a card for you, they wrote on it, got a stamp and walked up to their mail box or post office.  A few of my friends are really fantastic about sending cards but me not so much. I go through phases where I sent a bunch cards and then phases where I said nothing. And since having my daughter, I’ve gotten really horrible. For example, I really wish I was better about sending holiday cards or birthday cards to grandparents.  I making a better effort and have even began putting it on my calendar a month before hand so I have plenty of time to make sure that an art project is made or something and we get it in the mail in time.

I’m challenging myself to write more letters. Send me cards and snail mail. I know how much I enjoy receiving a little something in the mail that I’m not expecting, so I’m going to do the same for others. With the holidays, this will be relatively easy – although I didn’t send out Christmas cards last year, whoops – but I’m also going to challenge myself to send out little notes that aren’t holiday related. I’m going to send out “I’m thinking of you” or “You are awesome” cards. I want to sit down and delegate time to write down my thoughts and well wishes on paper, stick them in the mail and make someone’s day.

Now, while I’m at it, I’m challenging you too. Will you send more handwritten cards with me? 

You might be thinking “I haven’t bought a card in 10 years.” Well friend, I have some super awesome news for you. My sweet friend, Stephanie, over at Red Letter Paper Company (where the card above is from) just relaunched her site today filled with a new look, new seamless free standing site and a ridiculous amount of fantastic cards. I adore her cards. They are well created and you have the option of having a verse on the back (or no verse if you prefer). Even better? TODAY ONLY she is offer 25% OFF her entire site with code GRAND, and any purchases made between now and Friday get added to a drawing to win a Starbucks $10 gift card and a year worth of Red Letter Paper Company cards.

So, what do you say? Will you join me in my challenge?