I commandeered my mother’s book club book on the ride down
to Chicago for thanksgiving. I was rewarded with one of the more inspiring
stories I have read in a long time. Recently released in October, “Proof of
Heaven” is the articulate recount of an Atheist Neurosurgeon who became a firm
believer in the divine through an unprecedented Near Death experience. One of
the many take a ways from the book for me was this quote:
“How do we get closer to (our) genuine, spiritual self? By
manifesting love and compassion. Why? Because love and compassion are far more
than the abstractions many of us believe them to be. They are real. They are
concrete. And they make up the very fabric of the spiritual realm.” –Even
Alexander
The above statement makes so much intuitive sense to me. The
author is articulating something I believe all humans at their core recognize
as truth. Love is what connects us; it is what allows us to conquer what was
previously impossible. By expressing love, we are speaking God’s language. We
are vibrating at a higher level. Love releases us from the chains and clouds of
the ordinary.
Manifesting love and compassion- what does that mean? To me,
it means habitually practicing showing affection and care to others- for their
sake. It means looking past your ego to the outside world
and tending to it and its needs.
This quote plays into a video my sister sent me a couple
weeks ago on Gratitude and being a blessing to others. I have attached the link
below.
The line at the
end of the video is my favorite- about being a blessing to others through your
eyes, your smile and your touch. What simple yet conscious effort we could make
during the day. Instead of being wrapped in our own thoughts- looking up and smiling
into a strangers eyes.
Loving others occurs to me as a puzzle or game. There are so
many ways to contribute to others! Folding laundry, giving hugs, paying someone
a genuine compliment, fixing something for someone, making someone a meal,
calling someone you wouldn’t talk to every day. Sometimes, the biggest
contribution to someone else is letting them contribute to you (I know that one
is difficult for me). One of the ways I tangibly love contributing to others is
by writing letters. Inspired letters sharing your thoughts and inquiring where
the other party is in life. Or thank you notes- writing down by hand that you
really appreciate someone in your life. I am lucky to know several people in my
life who are fantastic letter writers- a letter from them in the mail is such a
day-maker.
I believe one of the purest and beautiful expressions of
writing is the creation of Love Letters. Telling someone they are beautiful,
appreciated and loved by you- that communication allows for some of the richest
and most inspiring prose. Writing a love letter is doing one’s best to
articulate something purely good that is beyond words. The content of love
letters includes themes of hope, joy, wonder, gratitude, humility, devotion…
many of the more important themes of the human experience. Also, consider love
letters in the context of this bible verse: “If I speak with the tongues of men
and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging
cymbal.” –Corinthians 13:1. This verse makes me think that love letters are
essential because they may be where truth is really captured.
The bible in some ways is a collection of Love Letters to
God. Literally many different writers sat down to write about loving him through contemplating him, examining him, sharing him and
expressing their gratitude for him. Love is undoubtedly the guiding motif of the bible, the message to take home: Love God. Love others.
Stereotypically now a days Love letters are written at either the
beginning of a relationship to inspire passion or to communicate during a long
distance relationship. People I think forget how much more a love letter can
be. An apology note can turn into a love letter, we can write love letters to
someone even if we see them every day and have been with them for years. Also,
we are not limited to writing love letters to the beloved- what about to
children, sisters, friends and even strangers? I found this moving video about
writing love letters to complete strangers. See below:
What if, every time someone struggled with addiction, they
wrote a love letter instead? What if every time someone was angry, sad or
lonely, they turned to write a letter to someone else? I remember writing so
many letters back and forth with my cousin Jonathan when he was going through
addiction. It is hard to know if they made a difference, but I was able to
articulate to him that I loved him, that I wanted him for who he was beyond
what he was struggling with. They for me are a residual spark of tenderness,
symbolizing a robust relationship with my twin cousin.
So maybe today go out and write and/or read a love letter.
Sweep up the joy and passion into a fresh articulation, and then share it with
someone. Let the letter change you, and through that change become a gift to others. Let your letter be today the fuel for tangible joy and truth.
A post after my own heart, I love writing letters, and send hand written birthday cards to over 200 people per year. I see it as a small but significant mission--to spread love through the written word, as a keepsake, and as a way to uplift a person who opens the card or letter. Sometimes short, sometimes lengthy, I buy blank cards weekly at Target to keep my stock supplied. Sometimes it seems like one more thing to do at the end of a long day, but after I sit down and start to write, it gives me as much joy and energy as I hope it gives the person I send it to. It is a form of gratitude, when I write I feel so grateful for the person I am writing too, so grateful that God has placed them in my life. Writing is one of my passions, I can see it is one of yours too, Kelsie! Thanks as always for your posts! I continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteLove, Erika
Words of love and encouragement are powerful tools for connecting our lives with other lives. There is no better way than sending a letter, and how thankful we are for all those who have taken the time to put their thoughts down into words. That collection of notes you sent to Jonathan is a beautiful keepsake and testimony to the fact that you cared and extended yourself over and over again to reach him in his struggles. He carefully kept those notes, and we were so touched by your love and concern for him.
ReplyDeleteThe Bible is a collection of love letters too, as you mention. It is encouragement and revelation to all who study it; words of light and truth for the difficult journey we face.