Celebrate Letter Writing Week

Time for Change linked to Letter Writing Week?

Weird, n'est pas? Not really.

If you're under the age of 25, you may never have handwritten a letter before.

Steve Carell said, "Sending a handwritten letter is becoming such an anomaly. It's disappearing. My mom is the only one who still writes me letters. And there's something visceral about opening a letter - I see her on the page. I see her in her handwriting."

This week is Universal Letter Writing Week so it's the perfect time to do something you've never done before and write a letter—by hand with paper and pen or pencil if you happen to own one of those.

Now, that's really a change isn't it? Not a typed and printed letter, not a text, not an email, but a real letter that requires an envelope to hold it, a stamp to pay for mailing it, and a post office to send it to the recipient.

WHY WRITE LETTERS?

Keanu Reeves said, "Letters are something from you. It's a different kind of intention than writing an e-mail."

The past is often illuminated in letters between relatives, friends, and lovers. Entire documentary series have been built on correspondence between people in turbulent times. Biographies of everyone from rock stars to politicians often contain the subject's correspondence to others, or his/her correspondence with self (that's called a journal).

If you love someone, have you ever proclaimed that love in writing? There's something precious about love letters. If you've ever seen pages yellowed by time and bound with a ribbon or kept safe in a lovely box, you've probably stumbled upon your grandmother's love letters from your grandfather. I have some of those that are dear to me.

Actor Ali Fazal said, "I am a diehard romantic, and I shamelessly accept that. I love writing letters."

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Write a letter this week—use a computer and printer if you must, but sign your name—put it in an envelope, stick a stamp on it, and send it to someone you love. The rewards are great.