Write a Letter of Appreciation

As humans, we complain a lot. It’s not enough that we have food, shelter, cover, clothing, and lives to begin with—we always want more, more, more! And when we don’t get what we want, we complain. I’m guilty of sending a handful of product complaint letters myself. But when do we really give thanks for what we appreciate?

Do you have any of these on your Living To Do List?

• Thank a teacher or mentor for all he or she taught me.
• Thank a stranger for a smile, a kind gesture, or for simply doing their job well.
• Thank my parents for giving me life.
• Thank my spouse or significant other for his or her support.
• Thank my grandparents, aunt, uncle, or other relative—or friend—for being there when I really needed them.
• Thank a beloved friend for being alive.
• Thank my child for giving me the gift of laughter, love, and wonder each and every day.

If not, you might want to think about adding something along these lines. Who do you have to be grateful for in your life? Who taught you everything you know? Who was there for you when the rest of your world fell to pieces?

The first week of March is Write a Letter of Appreciation Week. If you haven’t written your heartfelt letter(s) yet, you may wish to do so this week. Buy seven stamps and prepare seven envelopes. Now every day, for one week, try writing a letter of appreciation to someone who meant the world to you, who who showed you something amazing, who added something to your life and simply made your soul sing.

Feel free to use stickers, stationary, or even enclose photos, or write a poem if you like. But anyone would be delighted to receive a simple letter from the heart from you. Make it as long as you want; of course, you don’t have to write a novella like Helen Hunt in As Good As It Gets (or prelude it with “I’m not going to sleep with you!” for that matter); just make it all sincere and true. Include as many details as you can; for example, I would tell my science teacher Ms. Endebrock how much fun she injected my day with—how I always had seventh hour science to look forward to because of her. Or I would tell my biology teacher, Ms. O’Shaughnessy, how much I absolutely loved her labs, her humor, and her kindness—and how she always treated every student with respect without showing favorites.

Who will you send your letters to this week?