Monday, November 2, 2009

Charity, philanthropy, giving back or just personal development?

What do you think of 1 page gratitude letters being sent to friends and or family as a way of giving back?

Optional reading bellow

It would be nice if I could take full credit for this idea but I can not:

I was given this idea by a workaholic (he made over 10 million a year U.S.) guy that had a family that really supported him. Something seemed different they did not seem to support just because of the lifestyle… there seemed to be something more. He shared this with me 1 page gratitude letters are rarely given and they are always cherished and it connects people to you on a deep level that are already relatives. He would send them to his kids, wife and other family members and good friends so they would get them a week before Thanksgiving.

Even with my poor grammar and writing skills and mediocre penmanship people have thanked me over and over again even over a year later.

Optional question: How many people do you think actually have received full 1 page gratitude letters in their lives?

32 comments:

  1. Unfortunately, we don't let loved ones know how much we appreciate them. What a good idea.

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  2. I have done this in the past for birthdays and they were always well appreciated.

    Book Review #5 - Merle's Door

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  3. I prefer to let loved ones know how much I love them by word of mouth....some people actually think I'm over the top but that doesn't stop me!

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  4. My little tradition is to buy pretty blank cards and fill up the whole card with my "gratitude". I've been doing that with my grandma and my dad.

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  5. Hi Tom:
    Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog last week . . . I did read through the above and found the timing of this content very interesting. A friend suggested this idea to me just yesterday.

    It truly is wonderful advice.
    Looking forward to reading more.
    -Alicia Graham-

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  6. Hey Tom, I get the feeling you are the Pied Piper of blogging! Thanks so much for visiting this stranger's blog! Perhaps that's also your mission (along with your other obvious good work) to make the world a bit smaller by reaching out to other bloggers.

    I applaud your blog and everything you're trying to do to connect the world through whatever means necessary.

    So consider this a gratitude letter to you from a newborn blogger...

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  7. this is a lovely idea. An attitude of gratitude is good for everyone involved! Thank you for this.

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  8. Came over to thank you for stopping by, Tom...it was a pleasure to make your acquaintance...I think it's a good idea to send a yearly letter to those in our lives that we appreciate, telling them why. While it is always nice to hear it spoken, having it in writing might certainly prove to be advantageous!
    Sandi

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  9. I do this. I think it's a very endearing idea. Don't worry about grammatical errors too much. Anyone who truly cares what you're trying to say will look past it...I will :)

    Your New Friend

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  10. Sounds like a fine idea. A gift from the heart usually is.

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  11. Thanks for stopping by.
    What an interesting blog you have here. You pose some good questions.

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  12. Gratitude letters sound like a great idea. I think being grateful is a wonderful way of life and might even be contagious.

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  13. wow, what an idea!!! i certainly haven't heard of anybody having receiving them personally, nor have i written or received one. maybe something to consider...

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  14. Lovely idea. I especially like Senorita's blank card idea. I think gratitude is something that we need to embrace more often.

    Cheers!
    Julie
    Julie Magers Soulen Photography
    Blog of Note

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  15. I think this is a wonderful idea. Too few of us really share how grateful we are these days. It's just nice to show that once in a while. :) And do NOT worry about grammatical errors. It is the thought that counts!

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  16. Hi Tom.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love this idea - we have never done this in my family. I'll try it and maybe help my daughter write one for each of her grandparents for Christmas.

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  17. What a good idea. I try to let my family know how I feel but nothing touches someone more than a letter.

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  18. Tom...thanks for stopping by my blog. I too, share your volunteering passion. I traveled to New Orleans six times to either gut homes or build new ones with Habitat. I also recruited 35 friends to join me. Some came several times.

    My book, Guy's Guide to Domestic Engineering was just posted on Amazon. I'll be launching a new website by the end of next week and will import my blog to that.

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  19. I like the idea Tom and like it even more when spontaneity is attached.

    Renee xoxo

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  20. It seems a very good idea, although I can't recall ever having received one.

    Or even sending one.

    But perhaps the time has come.

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  21. First, thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting (this is not a whole page of gratitude, but I'm thankful, nonetheless).

    Second, the idea of writing a letter of gratitude to loved ones is a delightful one. I often make such a letter part of my Christmas gifts - one year it was all I was able to give.

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  22. Dear Tom, thankyou for reading and enjoying my blog - the idea of personal accountability is excellent. Very Buddhist and Zoroastrian. Our actions, our words and thoughts, are all we carry with us from one moment to the next.
    In my family, gratitude is articulated a lot. We are all very appreciative of each other, and being a writer I do write poems of gratefulness to the ones I love :) In fact my entire extended family write heartfelt messages of love and encouragement in birthday cards.
    The counterpoint to gratitude, the killer of gratitude, is always criticism. My father taught this to us long ago - never criticise another person. This is the secret to harmony.

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  23. I also like your information you presented. Very deep and spiritual. Really made me think. I am going to follow your blog because indeed i do like the information. I would truly appreciate you following me as well.

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  24. Hi Tom! Thanks for visiting my blog. Imagine a whole blog built around the idea of gratitude and charity. This is wonderful!

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  25. Tom B.
    I think that your blog is amazing and dedicated to helping others. Great Job. I should and will do more to help the world

    Thanks for the great info
    GloZell

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  26. What an awesome idea. I'm wondering though, what fills up a whole page??

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  28. That's a good idea. I don't think we thank each other nearly enough.

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  29. Yaya, i do believe you have struck upon the key point... a whole page requires thought and very personal attention! :)

    I *had* thought to take my picture postcard notes to a "new level" by specifcially making them expressions of gratitude.... and i realized there's only enough room on a 4x6 to offer the thanks i might casually give to people like grocery store clerks!

    A whole page of gratitude--with no hints of anything critical--sweet challenge! i'm going to start with the postcards and work my way up to entire sheets. :)

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  30. I love this idea! It is a great way to get back into your heart. When I feel like I've lost my way, I think of all the people and things I am greateful for right now! This allows me to find my heart and move forward. I love to send thanks to friends, family, business associates, etc. Because I am very busy, I've joined Send Out Cards and have been able to increase my ability to send out a random "Thanks" by simply writing my personalized cards online. They stamp them, pack them and send them out. Its great!

    Thanks for the idea, I have time to send them before thanksgiving!

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