October 1, 2010

In contemplating a formula for letter writing, I wondered how to keep it simple. Basically, three elements are necessary: pen, paper and the desire to connect. This desire for connection is primary, otherwise there would be no motivation behind the effort.
Expressing one’s feelings and stories to another through a handwritten letter is more than communication. It is art, a gift of one’s time and a form of self therapy!
The art of letter writing is multifaceted. There is the visual piece: beautiful letters are a treat for the eye! There is the kinesthetic quality: the touch of the pen, the feel of the paper and the magical transfer of energy as thoughts flow through your hand into your very personal writing. Also highly creative is the verbal element: your self-expression as literature.
Writing a letter is a gift of one’s time, especially today when doing anything slowly is considered counterculture.
Finally, the ability to focus on your feelings and then write them in a letter is a healthy, inexpensive form of self therapy.
When I “converse with a friend on paper”, I organize my thoughts and get a clearer sense of my feelings about an issue. I come to understand myself better. The feelings shared on paper allow me to be heard by someone. Whether I’m expressing a joy or a burden, I am not alone…as the saying goes: “a burden shared is a burden halved.”