The Lost Virtue

I was required to take a "depth science" requirement in college. This sounded like torture. I majored in English and Journalism for a reason: I absolutely hate math and science, and I am terrible with both subjects. Being extremely motivated and ambitious, I asked everyone I knew what the easiest class was to fill the requirement. I ended up in "Science and Modern Technology." I thought this would be one of those classes where I would have to force myself to go, try really hard to stay awake, and want to skip the class all together 90% of the time. However, it ended up being extremely interesting due to the teacher. One day, she gave us one of the most unique assignments I have had in a college course. She started class by passing around a large bag of cards and envelopes.

She said, "Since everything is digital, no one writes anything anymore. When is the last time you sent a letter? Take a card and write a thank you note to someone who has made a difference in your life. Go buy a stamp and bring it addressed to class on Thursday. It's homework and you will be graded on it. Everyone deserves to know they are appreciated."

It sounds a little elementary, I know... Writing and mailing a thank you card for homework. But I think she was teaching a valuable lesson. Gratitude and thank you's are not really high on the list of priorities in an extremely fast paced, digital society. No one even mails their bills anymore because it's easier to do it online and you save on postage (which keeps going up). However sentimental or romantic it may sound, there is something special about writing a note and sending it in the mail. I love to get "fun mail" as I term it. It's a refreshing change from the junk mail or bills I usually get. Think about someone who has made a difference to you, is a great friend, or helped you out recently. Take a minute and write them a note and then send it in the mail. It will make your day! The last time I wrote a thank you note, I received a long text thanking me for sending a thank you note. This is evidence to me that people don't say thank you nearly enough. It's a great week to be grateful!

Attempting to Blog... Again.

I have always wanted to blog but somehow I always fail. When I was in school I was writing ALL the time so the last thing I wanted to do after I finished a fifteen page paper was sit in front of my computer and blog about how great or terrible my day was. The other problem I have with blogging is most of the time it seems self-centered and I don't think anyone wants to hear about my "problems" or issues (and I really don't want to post them on the internet for the everyone to see). So I am going to start writing about all the things I love to do. Cooking, sewing, sports, running, writing, reading, geeking out about technology... it might be a little random but I like too many things to focus on just one. I don't expect anyone to read this much less follow it, but I miss writing that's not work related.