(somehow this got deleted, but it's one of my favorites, so I'm re-posting :)
*originally published Saturday, December 8, 2012*
Six years ago, I was given a letter accompanied by a little flower pot with gorgeous red designs on the sides and an elegant red flower in it. The letter was written to me by two people who are very near and dear to my heart. They have inspired me my whole life, and I still consider them to be family, even though we aren't related by blood.
"We hope that you keep believing in yourself and all of the great things you can achieve. Always follow your heart and don't let anything stand in the way of your dreams."
Their letter provided the foundation for the next six years of my life. It may not have been intentional, but their words follow me every day. They told me how much they believed in me. They told me that I was wonderful and to follow my dreams till the end of the earth.
That letter hangs on my wall to this day, reminding me every morning how to look at life, to always follow my heart. I was so flattered by the letter that I have taken words as my own, if that makes sense. That piece of paper is the reason I write this blog. It's the reason I've always loved writing thoughtful notes to friends. Those two people do not realize how much they have affected me.
Now, I'm not entirely sure why I'm sharing this with you. But, I feel I owe these people a gigantic thank-you. They made me believe that I could lasso the moon if I wanted to, and to this day, thinking about their words makes me feel invincible.
I would like to think that my words have done the same for some people. I know, that's slightly arrogant and possibly bordering on pompous, but I know firsthand the power of a heartfelt message, and I want everyone to feel the same joy I felt when I received that letter.
Words can really change the way someone sees a situation.
Your words have the power to help someone else find some inspiration, even if they aren't in a bad place. Just please consider telling the people you love how much you believe in them. I know that is tacky and outdated and super schmaltzy, but I don't think the world sees enough honest praise.
All I see is a bunch of criticism coming from every direction, and a HIGHLY impersonal notion that everyone is "special," without any real evidence to make us believe it.
If people were unafraid to tell each other how highly they think of each other, without fear of seeming fake or cheesy, the world would be a lot more happy. I think so, anyway. Just consider it.
