We live in a hustle and bustile world. Times have changed a lot since I was a young lad and life just seems so busy that we rarely have time to accomplish all the things we need to accomplish by the end of the day.
I was listening to my favorite television program yesterday called "Sunday Morning" and there was a part about how emailing and text messaging have made letter writing nearly extinct. I have to say that I am guilty of that and I hope to do something to change it.
When was the last time we wrote a letter to someone that really made a difference in our life? When was the last time we called someone just to tell them we are thinking about them and that we love them? When I first heard this song I loved it and l love it over 20 years later because it is so awesome when someone calls us not because they want us to pickup a gallon of milk or because they want us to do something for them, but they call us just to tell us they love us.
Maybe this could be a great New Years resolution for many of us. How about picking up the phone tomorrow morning to call someone we really care about just to tell them we love them? Many of those we call may just spill their coffee or fall off their chairs! LOL!
George, I NEVER broke with tradition and write handwritten letters ALL THE TIME. Sorry, I'm a dinosaur. But I know the feeling on the receiver end and I like sending that feeling.
Good reminder, George. I am so hung up on email and electronic communication. It was hard to get those hand written and address Thanksgiving cards out to clients past and current. I did it, as it seemed more important.
George- This is so true. I have a friend overseas that begs for "real" letters. I try to send cards with a short letter every now and then. As you said it is so much more personal.
Just yesterday I called someone just to say I was thinking about them... but, if that someone had e-mail I wonder if I would have called. I might have emailed her instead.
The upside of the email - we communicate more often with faraway friends.
Thanks for reminding me that I need to send a couple of Birthday notes... they really MUST be handwritten! (at least I think so)
George -- You are absolutely right! I took the time to write a personal note on all my Christmas/Chanukah cards -- and I called several people over the holidays to let them know how much I love them! So, I guess that means I am not as young as I thought! (lol) What a wonderful inspiration message.
Joan - Good for you my friend! You are one of the few that really understood the importance of calling someone to tell them you love them. I hope you are off to an awesome New Year!
My mom calls me daily to just tell me that she loves me and to wish me a good day. I'm very lucky!
What a good reminder, George! Thank you! I guess I should pick up the phone more often and do the same...
I'm good at letter writing though. I have always left cards for my kids to tell them how proud I am of them and how much they mean to me.
This is now featured on the Optimist Group. It is a wonderful reminder to make daily, meaningful connections. Life is short; live it well!
Mirela - I am glad your mom calls you daily to tell you she loves you...you are truly blessed. I call my mom daily to tell her I love her as well. If we did more often for our friends it would change the world. Be blessed my friend and I hope 09 will be sweet to you.
George- I called my grandfather who just turned 95 who I have not talked with in about 7 years! I am so determined to take a trip to CA to see him this summer.
Katerina - Don't wait 7 years again to call someone who is special to you my friend. Please pickup the phone tomorrow and call many you love to tell them you love them.
George - You are right. Email and teexting has definitely changed how we communicate in writing. While I do tons of both, I also hand write over a hundred holiday cards adn send hand written thank you note regularly. I could do more but have made a concious effort to do more writing. As I'm sure you know, folks really appreciate these notes, proably becuase they feel more personal and they are unusual in this day and age.
Jeff - So true my friend but don't forget my main message...pickup the phone and call someone just to tell them you love them. I will change their world. All my best and have an awesome 09.
You are so right - We just get so caught up in the day to day, and making money that we forget about the relationships and the ones we love. I was never a big letter writer, but would like to make it a goal of mine to call friends and family more often. One thing my family does is we make a commitment to visit other family members more often than they visit us. They always have some excuse as to why they can't take a day or two off, but we always make family more of a priority than our job.
Great New Years Resolution, and so easy to do! I call my 92 year old nana every Sunday. I know it's the highlight of her week, I can hear it in her voice.
George,
This is a great New Years Resolution for me and one that you have perfected to an art. I admire the time and effort you take to really make a difference in people's lives. Happy New Year! You deserve the best and congrats on your new home!
George - Okay, I think I am old.....very old school that is. I still believe in handwritten letters and handwritten envelopes. From clients even to family and friends. It's more " personal " and attracts the " feel good feeling " not only for the receipiant but also for me sending it. Although I still love to email and say hello every now and again there is nothing better than the good old fashion US Mail.
This is truly a wonderful New Year Resolution and many need a reminder of the power of some handwritten letters and a phone call to just say, hey, I love ya !
Great song, George, and a wonderful reminder for all of us not to lose the 'human touch' in life.
But I have to say ... my handwriting has gotten so bad over the years that I will type a letter or note in Word and print it out, all in hopes that the recipient is able to read it. But I do sign each and every letter and card. I will not just type my name and leave it at that.
Great reminder! It's so good to see you in the Rain again. :)
Handwriting letters can be a great way to keep in touch with a "personal touch".
On the personal side, I couldn't get my future husband to write me letters when we were both in college 6 hours apart more than a decade ago - I don't see that changing, EVER, much as I'd like to!
Hi george, i love that song also, and i need to take more time in my life to make that call and say i love you to friends and family. something to work on for years to come
Wonderful post George! I have to agree that we all get so busy with work, family etc. that we forget to take that few minutes to reach out to our friends.
Happy New Year! What a great item to add to my list of To-Do's for this week! Why not take a few minutes out of my day to sit down and write a few note cards to friends and family. It is a great feeling to receive a card or call from someone who cares, when you least expect it!
George ~ Excellent advice. It is so easy just to sit down and shoot off an email. I plan to set time aside each week for writing thank you notes. One of my many goals for 2009
Texts and emails can take the personal touch out of communication. It's so important to write a card, letter, or pick up the phone and actually connect with someone! I have always loved receiving letters from friends or family. Thanks for the reminder George.
Patricia - Thank you my friend. I miss our telephone conversations and hope we can connect again sometime soon. Take good care and I wish you an awesome 2009.
Good for you! If we can't tell those people who are important how much we appreciate them, then we need to reprioritize our affairs! I enjoy receiving cards and personal notes and I enjoy writing them! Have a geat day!
George: What a great reminder for everyone. I made a list after reading this of those I have fallen out of touch with and am scheduling one call a week. I'll let you know if anyone falls off their chair. Happy New Year!
I hope you had a great New Year! I couldn't agree more with you on the texting it's just so easy and convenient to text, but we must not forget that personal touch, and the excitement that we get when we are on the receiving end!
Yuri - Thank you my dear friend. I love my family and friends very much and love all of you. I hope you are feeling better and know that I value our friendship very much. Get your appetite ready for some spicy tamales tomorrow at my office. See you manana!
Hey George - I checked in on your site because I hadn't done so in a while... oh my God... what an awesome message ... I am in tears. Thank you for the wonderful gift to the world on what many feel is a very scary beginning to the New Year... Please accept a LONG distance hug from Tallahassee, FL.
Love, Eva
Hi George, great post. The personal touch will never go out of style. I have been writing letters to a friend since I moved away in 1988. That's a lot of letters. We always say that after we leave this earth, our children will be able to piece together our life through these letters. All the babies born, the moves to new towns, the ups and the downs.
I also write thank you notes. That one usually gets me a phone call. It seems no one hand writes thank yous anymore. It might just be the best tool you have to keep you in the front of people's minds when they are looking to refer someone.
Thank you notes are wonderful. Not just good marketing, but a fantastic way to make yourself and someone else feel good. There's no limit to who you can thank - even the guy who changed the oil in your car will glow if he gets a thank you note.
Just takes a few minutes extra effort to get those postal addresses - but well worth it!
My ex-husband used to call and sing that song to me over the phone...oh well....that was another life-time ago!
On another note, I've been thinking the same thing with regard to our clients/sphere...they're so used to getting an e-mail, newsletter, etc, why not make it personal with a phone call, it's what we claim to do anyway!
Hope this email works! Wanted to say thanks for all of the guidance you have given to me in the AR community. I have a LONG way to go but so appreciate your giving me a hand up. Gina
Katerina - I have been so very busy with my real estate business my friend that I had to give it my first priority over blogging my friend. I miss you all and hope I can find some spare time to contribute again.
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George, I NEVER broke with tradition and write handwritten letters ALL THE TIME. Sorry, I'm a dinosaur. But I know the feeling on the receiver end and I like sending that feeling.