Dear...........

This week I had the pleasure of finishing a wonderful book called the Wednesday Letters by Jason Wright. I enjoyed it so much that it inspired me to write this blog entry on the lost art of letter writing.

When I was growing up I had 82 pen pals from all over the world. It was kind of cool, I had a big world map on the wall in my bedroom, and I had push pins in all the countries where my friends resided. I loved getting mail from friends all over the world. I loved sharing experiences about my life in the US and theirs from whatever country they were from.

I learned to love letter writing. It was a process to pick the right stationery, the right stamps, and even as to what color pens to use. As I found out when I was young, not to use red ink when I write because it perceived anger. You see, through letter writing, I became culturally aware of others and how we are all connected in the Universe.

Now that the world is so much smaller because of the internet, letter writing seems to be disappearing somewhat. As much as I love email, it is not the same as opening a letter from a long lost friend. So to all my friends out there this is for you.

How are you? I hope all is well. What’s up where you are? I am
well. Today is a great day because I get to connect with you.

Write Back Soon,
Sandra

Suppose It’s All Positive…

I was in a training class the other day, and one of the participants had a deficit mentality. He saw the negative in every hypothetical situation, that may never occur. I tried to make light of the situation by saying, “hey suppose everything turns out okay, you are excellent at what you do and it will all work out for the positive.”

To my chagrin, he stuck himself in the negativity corner and refused to come out and play in the sunshine. His answer to me was that, “nope I know these things happen and I prepare for the worse.” Oops.

So my challenge to you today is to suppose the good in life. Yeah, many of us have the opportunity of looking at the glass half empty or half full.

So choose a full life – with all the possibilities
that lie ahead.

World Aids Day

Today is World Aids Day. This is a day to celebrate life and hope for all of those living and surviving with this disease. It is also a day of reflection. A day to remember all of those who light was extinguished from this world way too soon.

This day is personal for me. My favorite sibling, my big brother who I loved dearly and hero worshipped, is one of those who left this earth way too soon. He, I think more so than my parents, helped shaped the person I was meant to be. His caring spirit for those less fortunate in the world, his love of education and learning, his sage advice (which too my regret I often ignored) and his ability not to prejudge others is a model I now try to emulate.

If the spirit moves you, please give to one of the many charities working tirelessly to eradicate Aids and to help those living with the disease.

http://joinred.com/

http://www.clintonfoundation.org/cf-pgm-hs-ai-home.htm
http://www.aidsaction.org/

As you go about your day try to do something for someone that will matter.