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PUT THAT IN WRITING

Sunday, January 10, 2021 - daily column #6633
 
 
 
Reader,
 
When was the last time you wrote a letter, a page or two, meaningful, thoughtful communication to someone?
 
When was the last time you received one?
 
Taking time – yes, it takes some time; to write, sometimes rewriting, folding, stuffing an envelope and affixing the stamp is probably too ‘old school’ for many. Not about the technology; it’s about investing in relationships, giving without guarantee of any return.
 
In my experience, returns often exceed expectations.
 
Clicking SEND is expedient, yet often hasty or thoughtless – whether or not it mattered. Recipients probably draw an inference that it doesn’t matter much because of that haste or cavalier approach.
 
I’m not smug – I’ve done this too often, but I’m now in recovery …
 
Swift communication is astonishing, but urgency rarely gets high marks for empathy. Can we dash off anything meaningful in 10 words, 150 characters, or a half-minute we can defend as thought-through?
 
The pace of the world’s events racing to our device makes a waterfall look small. If we want, we can swiftly be inundated with the light-speed delivery of every imaginable communication. Try signing up for some online free publications. You’ll soon adjust your tolerance level for what is enough, what is too much, and what is just a ridiculous waste of time.
 
But how about considering the unimaginable?
 
Sitting down to write some well-thought words on a page. Paper quality matters far less than thought quality.
 
That you took time to write an important message to convey information and/or feelings to someone, and you took the time to put it in writing, matters more than you might ever imagine.
 
Sincerely,
 
Mark
 
 
Reader feedback:
BEWARE THE GURUS: some dodgy, some brilliant
Thanks Mark. I really like your idea. I have often thought about writing my son letters on good quality paper with a fountain pen. When I was young, as in grades 3-9, all we were allowed to use was a fountain pen. Our writing was marked on the basis of clarity, grammar, and style, with as much scrutiny as was the quality of our homework and correctness of answers on exams. Your letter writing campaign, I believe, will be very effective; largely, because you are such an effective writer. I like your 2021 ‘Letter’ plan. I suspect it is going to be well received, RT, White Rock, BC


Mark, you have set an inspiring goal for yourself in 2021. Best wishes for achieving and surpassing your inspirations. Take care and keep safe, SB, Calgary, AB

 


 
 


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