Terrific Tuesdays: The Special Letter Project

Happy Tuesday Lemonheads! I hope you had a great holiday weekend. I have got a project for you that will pay you back sevenfold. It is called the Special Letter Project. It won’t take you long to participate, but it will reward you for years.

Back in my days as a student recruiter and orientation leader, I had to take a class to learn about my university and about how to lead. My advisor/teacher, Dr. Jimmy Abraham, taught us many things that we would need to know to recruit and teach students about my school, but what he taught us about how to treat others is what has proved to be most valuable.

Every Friday of our class, we would write a “Special Letter.” These letters were to be written to people that had been a special part of our lives. I wrote my parents, coaches and teachers from school, and people in my community. They all had a significant role in my life. In these special letters I let them know just what they meant to me and my path in life.

I was giving to others by writing these letters, but I think I received just as much when they received my letter. They always told me how much that letter meant to them and how special it made them feel. They had done so much for me, and all I had done was expressed it in words in a letter. To some, I think it was worth more to them than a sack full of gold.

I sent these letters over 10 years ago. My kindergarten teacher still cries every time I see her and tells me how much that letter meant to her. Teachers are a great place to start when writing these letters. Teachers shape and mold our lives, but are not often thanked for their influence. I am so glad that I was given the opportunity to thank the teachers that had a hand in shaping me into what I am today.

I challenge all of you to sit down and write a “special letter” to a teacher, coach, minister, parent or friend that had a direct impact on your life. Then, report back to me. I would love to hear about your “special letter” experience. If you let me, I might even start a regular “special letter” post that recounts what your special journey has been through letters to ones that have meant so much to you.

I tell you though, I don’t even care if you ever report back to me. I just want you to write the letter.

So, will you take 5 minutes to write that dear one in your life? You will never regret spending that time telling someone how much they have meant to you. I promise.