Beware the Ideas of March. Or don’t, free country and all
that.
It’s March, which means warm weather is coming soon,
something always to look forward to.
Speaking of things to look forward to; since I started my
letter-writing campaign, I really do look forward to checking the mail and
finding letters from folks I’ve reached out to.
Not to hit the ominous-warning opening on the head too
much (still trying to find my voice for this blog, so bear with me folks), but
I have an unlucky 13 people who have so far agreed to exchange addresses for my
letter-writing project – which means I might want to reach out to others soon.
After two months of my project, I’ve found I enjoy
writing hand-written letters a lot more than I thought I would. What started
out as a chore has turned into something I look forward to doing at the end of
the day.
So first lesson, just try things. It’s a cliché, but a
cliché for a reason. But even more so, make a conscious effort to make things
happen. Actively seek out joy, a good lesson for all…..within reason.
As I’ve come to enjoy taking the time to write – and
read—what people took their time to write me, I’ve started to really think
about the words I choose to use when sending letters, knowing I can’t those
words back once I put them in the envelope and stick on the stamp.
The world might be a better place if people were reduced
to only being allowed to communicate so many words in a limited amount of time with
people – we’d probably say better thing than the usual nonsense we tend to go
on and on about.
I’ve been reflecting a lot about time and how I use my
time and what that in turn say about me. It really is quite startling when you
do the math and make a small spreadsheet on how you spend your time –and it
does not paint a flattering picture....yes I did make a chart…friggin YouTube, man…..
So, something to work on.
Second lesson, reviewing what you say (and don’t say) to
people, and then ask why. Those two task bring some troubling answers from time
to time, I must confess. But trouble usually brings personal development ---
sometimes -- that is a generous way of putting it, but I’ll stick with it.
Another observation, I tend to be less reserved when writing
letters. When I have time to think, I think I say things with more substance or
the things I want to say – but don’t say in public. Either out of being timid
or second-guessing myself. Granted, when I’m writing I also second-guessing
myself – the joys of the editing process.
Sometime being timid is really me trying to be polite,
because I’ve been known to have too many foot in mouth moments.
Anyway, back to positivity.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway I have so far from my letter
writing-process is I have an amazing group of friends with a wide variety of
interest. Which is really cool, because I hate talking about the same thing
over and over again. I do admit, sometimes there are conversations I have
conversations with people in my life where I know what they are going to say,
because they say the same things all the time.
It’s not that they
aren’t making a good point or they mean anything by it, but I tend to lose my
temper or get frustrated when people ramble.
I make a point in my letters to keep it to a page and a
half, anything more than that and I feel like I’m rattling.
However, realize for some people, they need more words to
say what they want to say.
When I write letters, I don’t take the time to add
insults or make fun of people, because I know my words or limited. …so why not
do that in person? Cheap insults seem to be a waste of time, so it’s something
this month I’m hoping to address.
I remember covering a youth conference a year ago, and
the speaker was talking about the Four Gospels: “Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,”
and how in terms of page length, they aren’t that long.
What I found so mind-boggling was how four books bout the
most important person to have ever lived really are reduced to a day’s reading.
It means the Gospel writers had to pick the most
important details, the most telling stories, the
information that the young Christian
communities absolutely NEEDED to know, and the rest had to get cut.
It’s the most extreme example of using your words, and using
them carefully.
Now, I’m not an Evangelist (Capital “E” evangelist) all
Christians are called to evangelize. But I think there is a valuable lesson
there.
Think about the words you use, and why you use them.
Think about the people you spend time with, and why you
want to be with them.
And think about what you do, and why you’re doing it.
Good lessons for March.
Good lessons for the year.
Beware the Ides of March, and watch out for the
Soothsayers and malicious senators.
Courage.
