Spread a little gratitude with a letter of appreciation

Did you know that at the start of the month it was Write a Letter of Appreciation Week? Did you know such a thing existed? Importantly, have you ever written a letter of appreciation? 

While we can sometimes be quick to complain, how often do we actually take the time to write to thank someone or praise their service? It’s really not hard and has a double bonus in that it will make them – and you – feel good. 

This is one of the number of reasons that Write a Letter of Appreciation Week stood out to me from the whole wacky range of days, weeks and months that can now be celebrated. 

The main reasons it struck a chord were: 

• Appreciation really does feel good when you receive it.
• We don’t tell others often enough that we appreciate them yet seem quick to complain and slow to compliment.
• Who writes letters these days?

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” Voltaire

Put it in writing with a letter of appreciation

We write texts, emails, social media posts, blogs and snap chat messages but who actually writes physical, pen on paper letters anymore?

Really, it’s a bit sad that we don’t write letters – and, in a way, a bit lazy. Who sends a message to say well done or Happy Birthday or Happy New Year rather than buying, writing and posting a card? Or you go to an online card retailer and get them to send it for you.

That is all well and good, but there’s something extra special about getting a card or letter that someone has taken the trouble to sit down and write, not type, and put some thought into, then bothered to get a stamp and post it to you. It’s wonderful to receive that through your letter box instead of your inbox.

So, when I saw that this was Write a Letter of Appreciation Week it inspired me to shout about it. And a little chant popped into my head that I haven’t heard in forever – ‘2, 4, 6, 8, who do we appreciate?’ Then you’d add the name of the person, or the team or the club, etc! 

You’ll probably have that jingle stuck in your head for the rest of the day. But it’s a great question – who do we appreciate that we haven’t stopped to be thankful for, and haven’t told them either? 

Let your appreciation flow

I can feel a rampage of appreciation bubbling up inside now, so let’s try it: 

2,4,6,8, who do I appreciate? 

Charlotte Foster, my podcast editor, who has cleaned up all of my outtakes!

2, 4, 6, 8, who do I appreciate? 

Reception staff at the office – I went to get a sandwich at lunchtime and came back with a cake and a glass of bubbly!

2, 4, 6, 8, who do I appreciate?

My dad, who accepts all of my parcels when I’m out at work, then we stand and have a natter when I pick them up.

2, 4, 6, 8, who do I appreciate? 

My cleaning lady – there is nothing better than coming back to a fresh, sparkly, tidy house after a long day. 

2,4,6,8, who do I appreciate? 

My grandkids for reminding me how much fun it is to play, my neighbour for putting my house number on the wall for me, my friends for distracting me from business by connecting and making me laugh and inspiring me, my team for picking up some of the things I don’t enjoy and making stuff happen effortlessly, and the chap on the end of the helpline who sorted out my technical challenge so quickly for me. 

There are so many people, let alone things, to appreciate every day. 

“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Mark Twain

Share your gratitude with a letter of appreciation

The people that you know, live with, are related to, or who are your good friends or colleagues are people that you can write a proper letter to then put it in the post or give it to them. 

All it takes is to write a note to tell them that you were just thinking about how brilliant, or fabulous, or generous, or kind there are. And that you wanted to let them know that you appreciate them. They will be chuffed to bits.

If you want to write a note of appreciation to someone but don’t have their address, the solution is to write a thank you card then give it to them when you see them – or leave it where they will find it. Maybe a note for a friend on their locker, or for the teacher on their desk, or even the person behind the counter at the local shop – you can give it them when you are next in. 

Put pen to paper and give it a try

Write a Letter of Appreciation Week is about reaching out to those who don’t expect much, so send off the words you know will touch them for no other reason than it’s lovely to do that for no reason.

You could buy a little pack of thank you cards and keep them in your bag or pocket and write a few spontaneously when someone does something for you or takes care of you in some way.

So, there’s my assignment for you this week – write a real pen to paper note of appreciation and light up someone’s day!

“Saying thank you is more than good manners, it is good spirituality.” Alfred Painter

Choose the life you want to lead

Be the person that you want to be and show gratitude and kindness to others – it doesn’t come at a price. 

Making someone else feel great, will make you feel good about yourself in return so share the love and show your appreciation. Kindness is so very often repaid unexpectedly so consider the footprints that you make in this life and how your actions can make your world – and the world of others a brighter place.

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Stay positive, be kind and dedicate your time and thoughts to tasks that make you feel good about yourself and the world around you.