Ready, Set, Write

What are you waiting for?

Assemble materials. Build a writing nest. Pick a place.

Go for it.

“The handwritten note has been around for hundreds of years and it’s not going to die out because some of its everyday functions have been taken over by email …”

––Margaret Shepherd

Social Substitutes and Electronic Devices

“People have lost touch with people because of these,” my daughter said, pointing to her phone and computer.

When did email, Twitter and Facebook take over our lives?

When did we get sucked into the vortex that devours time like a black hole and persuade ourselves that we were actually communicating and maintaining ties with people we care about?

Fast and furious and efficient.

Which is fine, some of the time.

But never, all of the time.

You have the power to create space for the actual people in your life. The ones you would call in an emergency. For the people you would want to know if you did have a crisis.

The ones whose birthday you remember and who you think about throughout the year. Maybe even when you lie awake at night.

These are the faces you see. The voices you hear. The real life, flesh and blood people who you believe care about you.

Time? You don’t have time?

Co-opt some time away from social media. Or TV, movies, newspapers, magazines et al.

Cultural conveniences have a place. But devices should not occupy every idle space in our lives. Filling our minds with other people’s thoughts. Depriving us of room to form our own thoughts. Taking away time to reinforce our own values.

Handwritten words convey personal sentiments to someone you care about in a way email or texts never can.

As the world turns ever more toward artificial intelligence, virtual experience and imitations of life, tangible expressions of thoughtfulness become increasingly valued.

Flowers fade and fall. Days go by irretrievable. Thoughts evaporate.

A note you send can be read and reread. Especially if you devote time and thought to what you feel for someone as you write.