Over the holidays I received a letter from a college friend that took me by surprise.  Her letter talked about how much our friendship meant, how I cheered her on when she needed it and how I’ve always been by her side.  That letter made my day.  If you know my friend, you’d know it took a lot for her to write it.  I was so inspired by her letter, that I decided in 2017 I was going to pay it forward.  I have committed to writing a letter of gratitude to all my close friends and family in their birthday cards this year to let them know how much they mean to me.

I had lunch recently with my college friend and told her how she inspired me to pay it forward.  I asked her what inspired her to write that letter and she said “a glass of wine.”  All kidding aside, she said she wanted to let her closest friends know how much they mean to her.  I told her how it inspired me to do the same.

Seeing that it’s only February, I’ve only had the chance to write a handful of birthday messages.  Some were more challenging than others, but I focused on what makes those people special to me.  I did this without expectations of any response, but to just let people in my life know how important they are.  Funny thing?  Every one of those cards I’ve given or sent has inspired them as well. I’ve received such heartfelt messages saying how much those letters meant to them.

I encourage you to write letters of gratitude to people important in your life.  You may inspire them more than you know.  And you can’t tuck a text or email in your drawer to pull out and read over and over again.  A handwritten letter is so much more meaningful.  Order some fresh new stationery or pen a letter in the next birthday card you send.  You’ll never regret letting someone know how much you mean to them.

xoxo,

Jennifer