NOTEWORTHY: Note Writing For A Cause

Note writing is a powerful arrow in your #HeartspokenLife quiver. 

I love to write (and receive) personal handwritten notes, and I know their impact can far outweigh the time it takes to pen and mail them. 

Notes can reframe the world's negativity

Besides traditional note writing (e.g., thank you notes, sympathy notes), you can also write for a cause. Recently I've joined a group called Noteworthy Thoughts whose members wanted to find a way to counteract the negativity and polarization we hear so much about. We look for individuals making a difference and write them a personal, handwritten note to thank them and acknowledge their effort. Here is a more detailed description from the Noteworthy Thoughts website:

Noteworthy Thoughts is a community initiative to recognize good deeds and to build bridges of human connection. The idea is to connect to people in the news and/or people in our communities with handwritten communications. The notes can ask to start a discussion to bridge differences or present an affirmation to the recipient for his/her good deeds. Or, even, a combination of those two sentiments. Our purpose is not to change the person’s opinion…

This is a project for the long-term. We write because we envision a less hostile time and because we believe that the mere act of reaching out is revolutionary. We do not have an expectation that Noteworthy folks will write to a schedule or produce a specific number of notes. We only hope that you will write when the Muse comes to you and spread the word as appropriate so more people can join us in building bridges in this difficult time. [CLICK HERE for more information]

My high school classmate Jill Strachan was one of the organizers, along with Bobbie Weaver, and when Jill told me about Noteworthy Thoughts, I knew it was something that resonated with what I want to do in my life. 

Never too young to change the world

I've committed to writing at least two or more letters a month during 2019 (See “My 19 for 2019 List”). One of my recent notes was sent to a  young girl named Mari Copeny, who wrote to President Obama about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan in March 2016. Mari was 8 at the time and she was able to catch the President's attention. He wrote her back and followed up with a visit to Flint. She was featured in Oprah's O Magazine [“This Is How One Sixth Grade Girl Helped Improve Flint's Water Crisis”). Here is the note I wrote to Mari. Keep an eye on this young woman. She says she's going to be President of the United States, and I wouldn't be at all surprised!

Who else do you write to?

This is as varied as the people in our group. Jill and Bobbie scour the newspapers and online news for ideas of individuals who have taken a stand, made a difference, or risked personal safety or reputation to expose the truth. They share names and addresses with members of the Noteworthy Thoughts email list.

I've written to members of the Southern Poverty Law Center to thank them for their work fighting hate crimes and intolerance. We have written to express our support to faculty and students after school shootings. I get ideas from magazines and my local news sources. You can see other examples on the Noteworthy Thoughts Facebook page. 

Of course, you can write notes on your own, but the impact of receiving a Noteworthy note with the logo on it tells the recipient there is a whole group who recognizes and applauds or supports them.  If the idea of writing an occasional Noteworthy note appeals to you, CLICK HERE for details. 

Who do you know who needs your encouragement today?

Check out our Facebook group: “Revive the art of personal note writing!”

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