Sunday, April 22, 2018

The how, when, and who of letter-writing

Figuring out how to include letter-writing time into your normal routine and determining who to write can be a challenge, especially for people with "lives."  And by that I mean jobs, kids, school, and other daily commitments. (Most of the population.) There are so many things in life that keep us constantly busy and endlessly going, but there are also so many ways we don't realize how we could use our small doses of time more effectively.
When I was just beginning my letter-writing mania as a young whippersnapper, I was willing to put anything off to write anybody--even if it was a complete stranger.  My school seriously suffered during this point of my life as my obsession dominated. (Sorry, Mom!!  I failed you more than once!)  I am not suggesting tips that would cause you to neglect another important area of your life, though.  I have since learned to prioritize much better so that letters are just a side dish to everything else, while still remaining a regular part of my week.   (Ironically I am writing this blog in an act of procrastination against school right now; but I promise I've really mostly overcome this problem!)
Here are some ideas to help you get started in becoming more consistent.

1. Set specific monthly goals
This is actually the first year that I've set specific goals for writing letters, and it's really motivated me to fit writing into the cracks of each month.  When I have a goal to meet (20 letters per month), I push myself so much harder and find that I can still get everything else done, too.  I start noticing the little moments I have when I'm not being otherwise productive.  As I become more aware of that, I can start anticipating when I'll have a little extra time so that I can even plan ahead to use it wisely instead of getting carried away with something I don't need to be doing.
When considering goal-setting, start small. Just like any goal in life, don't make it overwhelming or too difficult to reach.  Be reasonable and then stick with it.

2. Make a written record
I really wish I'd started a written record of my letters when I first made it a regular part of my life.  In 2013 I started recording the date I received a letter and the date I responded.  Having this information all in one place helps me keep track of where I am at so that I don't forget to reply to anybody.   Besides a memory help, a notebook of records keeps me motivated to reach my goals and watch my progress.

3. Decrease use of social media
I have Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.  Just like everyone else, I am extremely prone to letting myself get distracted with social media.  There's always YouTube, too.  These are easy places to go when I just want a mental break or when I "have just a couple minutes."  It's really easy to make the excuse that I don't have enough time to actually write a letter, but then I end up spending a lot of time on useless internet surfing and letting more time pass than I realize.
What I try to do (it doesn't always work) is to not get on certain sites until I've written a certain number of letters or a certain person that I really need to write soon.  This keeps me thinking about fitting that in instead of uselessly checking something for the 10th time.  My time gets spent so much more profitably when I limit myself and set goals on top of my goals.

4. Write people you "owe"
Someone you "owe" refers to somebody who has written you first OR someone who deserves a thank you note.  Write their name in your record book and get ready to return the letter soon.  Writing these people should be priority on your letter list.

5. Write people who have been on your mind/someone who is especially important to you
The written record is also a great place to write names of people I want to write when I don't "owe" someone a letter, which reminds me to whip out a note saying "I'm thinking about you."  Not only does this help my monthly count go up, but it also keeps me in contact with people I care about.  My mind usually keeps focusing on someone until I've taken action by calling or writing them, so I always go ahead and put their name in my record book to write after I've returned the letters I owe.

6. Don't feel obligated to write a whole letter in one sitting
People often tell me that they started a letter to somebody and then didn't get back to it until much later, when they decided it wasn't worth finishing.  Contrary to popular opinion, it's always worth finishing!!  Even if it's a month later, throw another date on that and keep writing!  Letters are just as fun if they are multi-dated and there's no reason to feel guilty.  The time to feel guilty is when you start a letter and scrap it when you think it's been too long.  Keep coming back to the letter until it's signed off, put in an envelope, and sent out into the world.

Comment below with more ideas and helps that I haven't thought of!

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Southern spring

I think I blog on spring at least once every year.  Something about everything moving slowly--and somehow also simultaneously moving rapidly--into a burst of color and life gives me a feeling I can't quite explain.  Spring is the season that reminds me yet again of the perfect miracle of new life.  Nature just seems excited in the spring, and that makes me feel excited, too.
This spring is my first one spent on the east coast, and I've certainly missed experiencing this season in Washington.  However, my awe has not been lost and I have enjoyed seeing the similarities and differences between the 2 coasts.  
Even on a "bad" day, spring allows me to look out and smile because I am surrounded with the reality of LIFE.  Every season is beautiful and unique--so much so that I can't pick a favorite.  But spring energizes me in a way that is different; in a way where I can't resist taking hundreds of pictures of the same flowers and colors over and over.  It's too much to pass up.  So today I'm thankful that, even when life is mundane and exhausting, creation tells me life is actually full of bursting expression. 
I know dandelion fluff is supposed to be annoying and undesirable, but I still love these little fluff balls.





Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Medicine for my heart

**Excessive pictures warning!!**  I just can't help it; I love these people so much.

Spring break feels like it was AGES ago, but reality (and the calendar) tells me that it ended only a couple of weeks ago.  This spring break was met with so much enthusiasm.  After a couple months of praying and then almost losing hope, I was so immensely thankful to celebrate the few days of break with my mom and sister coming out to South Carolina! I am still thanking God for making this time together possible.

As with most things that I am insanely excited about, the count-down is painfully long and then the event itself is painfully short.  However quickly the 7 days with Mom and Tirzah may have gone, it did me so much good.  Whether grocery shopping, playing games, or roaming the city, I was satisfied as long as we were together.

Stop 1 was the Billy Graham Library in North Carolina.  I had never been there before, and, despite my numerous yawns and the scary "talking" cow, I enjoyed learning more about the history of Billy Graham and his ministry.  People like him make me wonder what I'm doing to make a difference in this needy world!

This was an accidental picture, but I just laugh every time over our faces.  This could have a really good caption, I think.
I love having sister and best friend all in the same person.
What a wonderful sight for sore eyes!!
Stop 2 was McDonald's, of all places!  None of us likes McDonald's, but we had to get the traditional Shamrock Shake for St. Patrick's Day.  One of our initiated sisters started this tradition in our family several years ago, so I was quite happy to treat us to the continuation of tradition.

Stop 3 involved the park downtown.  I have written many letters that mentioned this particular park, which has provided several much-needed breaks from campus and the books.  I was excited to finally show Mom and Tirzah this place in person and explore some of the area together.
It's hard to say whether Tirzah thought she was in jail or only wished that she could be.




At least our mom is normal!
Judging by the above picture, we obviously needed some extra sugar.  I was thrilled to finally spend my Cold Stone gift card on my 2 favorite people.  It had been long saved up for this moment!

Stop 4 was new to all of us!  We got to take one afternoon away from intense game-playing to enjoy a state park.  The trails and woods of South Carolina aren't exactly comparable to Washington, but it was good to spend time out in the air trail blazing (because these trails are just too easy).


When we weren't out-and-about shopping or hitting up the town, we spent many hours relaxing, playing games, and simply enjoying each other's company....oh, and eating so much sugar.

More downtown adventures and ice cream with cousins!
Tirzah provided us with Catan but was not thrilled to lose both games.
Since I have limited breakfast options at the university, I was happy to have a few egg burritos over the course of the week.
All too soon it was time to say goodbye again.  It never seems to get much easier to let them go.  As you can see, I am extremely blessed; this refreshing week with some family is only one example.  Having my mom and Tirzah as close companions through the good and the bad is a treasure I'm happy to call my own.  The sacrifices they have both made during my year at BJU has been so humbling and wonderful, too.
"Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You."  Psalm 31:19a