The little things in life are big. Small acts can have a big impact.
One small act I’ve been thinking about are handwritten notes. I like sending a physical card with hand-written words to people that mean something to me. More than that, I believe in the power of real mail, the act of taking time to write something down- a message, a thought- even if brief.
Who sends real mail these days? Is it a lost art? It takes a little time to buy stamps, buy a card, address the card, time to write some thoughts and place it in the mail. What do all of these actions have in common? Time. Time is value.
And then to wait several days for the recipient to be able to read the message. There is something to this act. In the day of quick and fast, who waits for a message to be delivered? It may be considered old fashioned, but it’s a classic that is never out of tradition.
Sending a card is for the receiver. Just to be received; not a thought of getting something back. It is for a friend going through something, a thank-you, or a “just because” I am thinking of you. And that is the best part. Sending something little that can be big to the person receiving.
Recently the New York Times reported how “people tend to undervalue the positive effect they can have on others for a tiny investment of time,” in the form of a thank you note.
Like Maya Angelou said “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
So take a few minutes today and write a handwritten note to someone you care about.
Photo: Field Shed, The Rural Collection.