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Thirty Days of Gratitude

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:30:22 GMT

I'd love for you to join me in Thirty Days of Gratitude! I'm serious! And we're starting today, November 1st. Sorry I didn't think of it earlier, but my mind was literally in "Hibernate" mode during this past week! The entire last week of October was "productionless" for me as far as my personal life was concerned, and it suddenly hit me today that it is November - - - wow - I will sound soooo old for saying this, but WHERE has the time gone??

Several years ago now, while living in Minnesota, I began using the month of November to demonstrate either verbally or in writing my gratitude to those who have touched my life in one way or another. Don't get me wrong, I think we should be grateful every day of every month, but I know for myself that I sometimes need to focus on remembering that "God and others are actually responsible for the achievements in my life." (Friends from Northland Camp and The Wilds - Character quality lists - - - remember that one for "humility"?) In recognizing that fact, I think sometimes it's important to acknowledge it in either verbal or written form - partly for the sake of the one who may be wondering at that moment if what they have done or what they have taught you REALLY mattered.

I did this little exercise in gratitude for many years and then sort of set it by the wayside in the last few - and I sincerely and transparently say before you that I think my life is reflecting that neglect recently. So it's time to stop thinking about it, hoping to do it, and stop sitting around planning it - it's time to DO it! And I would LOVE it if you would join me!

Here's how it works: Every day in the month of November you select someone who has impacted your life. This is not about giving gifts, making fancy handmade cards, or empty flattery - it is about demonstrating gratitude with your heartfelt words! You can email them, call them, send them a card that day, or talk to them in person. But you do it EVERY day in November - regardless of how much time you think you have. It takes mere seconds to say, "Thank you for the yummy cookies you bring me every year on Valentine's Day - your kindness encourages me and reminds me I am loved." Then you hit send, lick the envelope, say good-bye, or give them a hug - depending on your method for delivery!

Getting started is the hard part - so guess what? As if this post weren't already long enough, I'm going to share with you MY plan - the one I'm using THIS year, that is. I will add here, that as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I will also take a brief moment to pray for the same person that day. If you don't know someone in the listed category, go back and repeat a category from before - just choose a different person this time!

November:
1. God - I'm serious about this one - On November first I will THANK Him and ask Him to "guide me into gratitude" the remainder of the month! He deserves my FIRST praise, and my HIGHEST praise!
2. Someone I have met within the last year
3. A friend from church
4. A friend from the neighborhood who does not attend my church
5. A relative - non-parent
6. A musician in my church (choir member, piano player, choir or orchestra director, soloist, etc.)
7. A relative
8. A child who works hard or is consistently respectful (non-family member)
9. A store manager or clerk that has been especially helpful (they'll look at you oddly, but that's okay!)
10. A friend from the past (high school, college, former work location, etc)
11. A Veteran (this one is NOT optional - I call my dad EVERY year specifically to thank him for his service in the Air Force, even when I'm not doing the Thirty Days of Gratitude! Vets deserve our lifetime of thanks!)
12. A pastor or other vocational Christian worker
13. A relative
14. A friend
15. A teacher
16. Someone over the age of 60 who has been an example to me
17. A manual laborer whose skills have been a blessing to me or to others
18. A high school student who in some area, large or small, has choosen to be a visible leader for what is right
19. A co-worker
20. A friend
21. A non-vocational worker in my church (Sunday school teacher, nursery worker, AWANA leader, etc.)
22. (Thanksgiving day) Verbally or prayerfully demonstrate gratitude for my country and my countless blessings
23. Parents or Grandparents - if yours are deceased, stop today to thank the Lord for their influence
24. A coach/choir leader/director/teacher
25. A missionary
26. An administrator - school, work, organization, etc.
27. A friend or family member
28. A community worker - postal carrier, fire fighter, police officer, mayor, congressman, etc.
29. An author or writer whose words have impacted my life (email contact info is often in the back of the book)
30. The neighbor, friend, or family member of my choosing!

Do as you choose or use it as your guide - but I'd love to have you join me for these

Thirty Days of Gratitude!

Smile-Makers

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 01:56:47 GMT

It's been AGES since I've blogged - - - and I have a gazillion reasons for that - some of them good, some of them lame. But I'm here tonight because I was reminded tonight of so many little things that are smile-makers in my life. When the yucky days come - and I'm a human being, so they WILL come - I want to remember all of these!

Green tea frappucino from Starbucks - with whipped cream piled so high it comes out the hole on the top of the lid; an unexpected bouquet of flowers over lunch; fresh green peppers from a new friend's garden; a card in the mail with my name handwritten on the envelope; the color yellow; getting paid to do what I love; a quick afternoon chat on the phone with my parents; colored ink; photographs that stir the memory and the heart to impromptu smiles; sincere laughter; not having to hide anything from anyone; playing Skip-Bo; loving even when love is not given in return; singing along to my favorite tunes; forgiveness; my favorite orange tank top that I never wear out in public; yellow roses; licorice tea - even when it turns cold; re-reading the classics; calendars - all of them; making new friends; keeping old friends; hearing a notification signal from my Blackberry; juicy Clementines; lemon water; hearing a sincere, uninhibited laugh; confidence; knowing that the people and things that matter will far outlive the people and things that don't; remembering things like these - that make me smile from the inside out!

Pause and Proofread

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:53:14 GMT

Before a letter can go out of my office, I make certain that at least one other person proofreads it. In the case of something going out to the entire organization, I have a minimum of two people proofread it or look it over before it is sent. I consider myself fairly competent in the area of grammar and extremely particular in the area of presentation. However, much to my embarrassment, the item sent to others for a "second look" often comes back with many corrections or suggestions written in red.

This afternoon I proofread something for someone and thought, "How could she have let this go? Didn't she see these GLARING errors?" It was at that very moment that I thought about why errors like that occur.

When I write something, I know what I mean to say. My mind thinks through the words, the sentences, the paragraphs, and the page, and my fingers begin to serve as the tool for getting the words from mind to screen (or page, as the case may be.) The problem comes when my fingers get ahead of or fall behind the thoughts making their way out for the public to read. The end result is that things get messed up - words become misspelled, words are dropped from the middles of sentences, and emotions felt in the heart are poorly represented by the end result of the written words.

We ALL make these mistakes at one time or another. It's inevitable. So in reality, the problem is not so much that the mistakes occur, but that we don't see them. Our minds jump over neglected letters and even fill in the missing words. Our emotions are expressed in our minds as we re-read our own thoughts.

Enter the proofreader. And the red pen. And the careful teaching and explanation about the markings as a means of helping the writer not to make the same errors next time. The end result? A carefully-crafted page with words that look like they should and mean what they were written to communicate.

So what's the big deal about proofreading? Well, my lesson from today's "red-pen moments" served to remind me that I need to apply Psalm 19:14 to my writing as well as to my spoken words. The verse states the Psalmist's prayer as he asks the Lord: "let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." I do not wish to minimize the holiness of God in any way, but in essence, I was reminded today that God must be my "Proofreader."

How many of us post things on Facebook that we later regret? Our emotions run from ecstatically happy to woefully depressed, and our Facebook or blog postings reflect those extremes. I've been guilty of it far too many times. During those "yipes - - - what-was-I-thinking" moments, I am grateful for the "delete" option. Yet if I would have paused before posting and asked the Lord to let me see my words through HIS eyes, I might have made better choices that could have prevented the use of "delete."

So I guess the way I'm choosing to apply these thoughts are in the following ways:

1. "Let the words of my mouth" - I try to write the way I would speak, but I will strive to be certain that I am speaking in a way that pleases Christ. That means even if something is funny, it is still appropriate, properly-timed, and not unkind or ungodly in nature.

2. "And the meditation of my heart" - My motive needs to be to honor my Lord and Savior. I used to read MANY posts each day talking of God's grace in trials where the emphasis was on the one facing the trial and the comment sections attested to that. I have done it myself. But I desire to leave the reader or listener thinking not of how miserable my sorry little life must be, but of how God's grace is truly "more than enough!" Am I known for my pain or for being a demonstration of His grace?

3. "Be acceptable in Your sight" - In every setting, every thought and every word must make it past His "red pen."

4. "O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." - I can't do this just because I want to. I must daily choose to ask Him to allow the strength He provides to take my thoughts, words, and motives and let them be a channel for His love.

Yes, there will undoubtedly be many red markings on words that I speak and on the words I intend to write - even on Facebook - but I trust that before I ever select "enter," I will run the words past the Master Proofreader.

May the Mind of Christ, My Savior

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:32:00 GMT

Though we sing a nice mix of old and new hymnody at my church, our music pastor took a few minutes last night to teach us about an old hymn. He gave us Scripture that corresponded with each verse, and encouraged our church to take one verse of the song each day, and pray through it - thereby praying through the entire song before meeting together for worship again next Sunday. I've always loved this old hymn (from the 1800's) - and look forward to applying its truths to my life in 2009!

(I want to give credit for the following to Jonathan Albright, Music Pastor at Brookside, and thank him for this great tool for private worship.)

Stanza 1: "May the mind of Christ, my Savior, live in me from day to day, by His love and power controlling all I do and say." - This verse teaches us that we need the MIND of Christ. [Romans 12:1-2; Luke 9:23; Galatians 2:20]

Stanza 2: "May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour, so that all may I see I triumph only through His power." - This verse teaches us that we need the WORD of Christ dwelling in us. [Colossians 3:16; Psalm 119:97; II Corinthians 2:4]

Stanza 3: "May the peace of God my Father rule my life in everything, that I may be calm to comfort sick and sorrowing." - This verse teaches us that we need the PEACE of God ruiling in our hearts. [Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15; II Corinthians 1:3-4]

Stanza 4: "May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the sea; Him exalting, self abasing, this is victory." - This verse teaches us that we need the LOVE of Jesus filling us. [I John 2:5; Matthew 16:24; I John 5:4]

Stanza 5: "May I run the race before me, strong and brave to face the foe, looking only unto Jesus as I onward go." - This verse teaches us that we need STRENGTH from the Lord to face the foe. [I Corinthians 9:24; Ephesians 6:10; Hebrews 12:1]

Stanza 6: "May His beauty rest upon me, as I seek the lost to win, and may they forget the channel, seeing only Him." - This verse teaches us that we need the BEAUTY of Christ resting upon us. [Matthew 5:16; Luke 19:10; II Corinthians 4:5; Colossians 1:27]

Of Pears, Mangos, and Strawberries . . .

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:07:22 GMT

If you've read my blog very often, you know that you've normally been able to read it - very often! Lately, however, my life has been reminiscent of the childhood game "Upset the Fruit Basket." Hence the title of today's entry. Warning: I have a dear friend who chides me about being "verbose," and I'm afraid I won't disappoint today, for my heart is full, and the page is empty - almost as if asking me to make up for lost time. Read what you wish, skim the paragraphs as you wish, but allow me to share what I've been learning lately.

I like to feel comfortable. Who doesn't, right? But I'm a comfort-seeker of the highest degree. While I love new adventures, and yes, even taking risks, I love even more knowing that it's all going to be okay in the end. I love the adventure as long as I know where it will end and what will be required along the way. As for the risks, I love taking them if I have weighed the possible outcomes, decided they were within my “risk-taking parameters,” and then personally have chosen to take the risk rather than having it thrust upon me. Yes, I know. If those are the “rules,” – well, actually, if there even ARE rules – then I am neither adventurous nor a risk taker. I like to feel comfortable. I want the fruit in the basket to be ripe, shiny, perfectly edible, and picturesque – at all times.

So let’s start with the pear. One of my favorite expressions to use when things change unexpectedly is “it all went pear-shaped.” If you look at a pear, you’ll know what I mean – it’s like the bottom fell out – and things landed in a big heap. At the end of February, my world went pear-shaped. I was just able to see my way through a very real “physical funk” which was the result of my major surgery last fall. I finally wanted to be around people again, and could do more than just function by “compartmentalizing” my days. It was like I finally felt like “Brenda” again – and I was glad! Then on a Friday afternoon, my boss came in and informed me that, due to financial constraints, my job position was being eliminated and being replaced with a part-time position with no benefits. He handled very bad news very graciously and in a godly manner, and for that aspect of it I will always be grateful. From that point on, I think I only heard portions - “You can stay until June 30^th” – “If you find something else, take it whenever they need you” – “Nothing you did” – and the rest sort of all ran together – it was like I was listening to the teacher in the Charlie Brown specials.

Next let’s look at the mango – my favorite fruit EVER! Now in order to incorporate this into my story, I will need to continue with the verbosity for which I am known and loved (ha ha) by telling you why mangos are my favorite fruit – but I will keep my verbosity brief - - - wait, is that an oxymoron?? Oh well - - - In 1993, I went to the Philippines with my parents. We went to a small Bible College in Iloilo City – Doane Baptist College – my father spoke to the students for a special week of chapel services, my mother spoke in special sessions to the female students, and I was privileged to help with a musical group that would be coming to the US that summer. It was there I learned how to choose, cut, and eat mangos! For one of the chapel services, a large choir sang, “Lord, Let Me Serve” – the first I had heard that song. While they were rehearsing, one of the teachers leaned over and told me, “Most of those students will graduate from here and will make $50.00 a month – at the most - serving the Lord in small churches in the hills. So when they sing those words, they mean them.” I think of those dear servants of God every time – honestly, EVERY time I eat a mango!

One day early in March I stood in the grocery store selecting my weekly stash of mangos, and began to cry. Not a boo-hoo cry, but the kind where you find yourself in the middle of Meijer with a tear running down your cheek, and you suddenly want to abandon your grocery cart and head straight for the car so you can cry it all out before the Lord. It was at that moment that the beautiful singing of my Filipino friends rang out in my memory – and caused me to realize that I was in the place of needing to make that song real in MY life – to sing the words and really mean them. Yes, another item for my fruit basket of life lessons.

People are longing to learn of the Savior;

Children are growing not knowing He cares.

Lord, let me tell them about your compassion.

Lord, where can I be used?

Chorus:

Lord, let me serve; Lord, let me follow.

Give me a place and a purpose to fill.

Teach me to serve; teach me to follow.

Use me to do your will.

Lord, let me serve where ever You need me.

Make me a vessel through which You can flow.

Give me a mission, a place of fulfillment.

Lord, where can I be used?

Ready and willing to give You my talent;

Show me the task and I'll serve You today.

Give me a passion to work for Your glory.

Lord, where can I be used?

Lyrics: Linda Lee Johnson - Music: Tom Fettke

But God doesn’t leave us there. In His infinite, sovereign mercy and wisdom, He knows the end of the adventures we are called upon to take. In ways far above what I could ever ask or think, He has provided a new area of ministry for me in which to serve Him with the talents and abilities He has given to me – for everything, EVERYTHING, I have, is from Him. Starting on June 1^st, I will be privileged to serve on the staff of Brookside Baptist Church as Executive Administrative Assistant to the two senior pastors. As of the writing of this verbose posting (you were warned!!!), I have no housing, am cashing in some retirement to pay for the moving truck, and may end up driving the moving truck myself! In the midst of very dear friends on both sides of the move, I have never felt more “alone” and “uncertain.” But I am reminded of the story that earned strawberries the final role in today’s title.

I’m not sure that I’ve got the facts right, but it goes something like this - George Mueller, known for his faith in the provision of God, once told that he prayed for oatmeal for breakfast each day. God provided. Then Brother Mueller looked around and realized others were eating strawberries with cream for their breakfasts. He was disgruntled until he realized he had not ASKED God for strawberries and cream. Yes, he changed his prayer. Yes, he got strawberries and cream!

When it comes to my future housing and to all things related to the move, I’m reminded tonight to pray for strawberries and cream. I can’t WAIT to see what God does – just because He can!

Well, my friends, if you’ve made it this far, 1) you need to get a hobby! and 2) you’re truly a friend! I guess I’ll close by using a take off of the over-used saying, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” and tell you the lesson I am being reminded of in all of this. Instead of focusing on the fact that my carefully-planned, carefully-arranged, comfortable basket of fruit got “upset,” I am choosing to rejoice as God creates this amazing fruit salad which allows me to “taste and see that the Lord is GOOD!”

Bottom-Line-It, Baby!

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 08:27:51 GMT

This personal lesson is coming from a sincere heart. I just hope it's not too late to be given the chance to apply it.

As a new secretary I wanted to impress my boss by having all the facts laid out within a well-detailed paragraph of information. I felt that if I fully explained the entire case I was presenting, and if all the necessary elements were included with a full description as to their relevance, there would be no room for question as to what was needed. After pouring my heart and soul into the project, I proudly walked it up to his office on the second floor. He looked at it. He looked at me. And then he said, "I appreciate your hard work. However, from now on when you bring something like this to me, I want bullet points. Tell me what matters, and tell me in one sentence or less at the top of each section of dot points. In other words, Brenda, if you want me to read it, bottom-line it." Sam Horn changed the way I do my work.

From that moment on I have striven to be concise and specific and to head straight for the bottom line when dealing with business matters. No paragraphs - only bullet points. Now if only I could STOP doing that in my everyday life.

My friend Carol and I were headed out to take a walk along Lake Erie - learning no longer to connect as teacher and student, as we had many years ago, but to connect as friends. She was telling me some of her first impressions of me since my return to the area, and said the main thing she saw was that I appeared to be someone that wanted to get to the point. I said what I saw, what I felt, what I wanted, and then was done. No thrills. No frills. In other words, I was bottom-lining it. She helped me to see that my lack of "fluff" in everyday occurrences might come across as cold or uncaring. At first, it hurt when she said that, because I internally pride myself in being a caring person. I mean, is it so bad to care about someone, but want them to tell you their problems in three minutes or less? :) And what is so terrible about having a list of things that need to be accomplished when helping a friend and leaving when the list is complete rather than stopping for tea or looking through their newest scrapbook for a few extra minutes? After all, I've got two more lists to work through before 7 pm, and I've got to stay on track, don't I?!

Unfortunately, I have even found myself recently carrying this over into my relationships with men. I'm not 24. I'm not even 35. So at my age, I do think you know your "list" of things that matter. I have high standards for myself and for the men I choose to spend my time with. If it someday comes to the list of things for the man God has for me to marry, I want us each to love God first. I want us each to love each other exclusively. And I want each us to LIKE each other. This was my mother's "list" and she's been married 57 years! I don't intend to "settle" and I don't intend to lower those three important standards. I'm a daughter of the King, for cryin' out loud - and I expect to be treated like one! :)

However, it's the "getting-to-know-you" process that is hard for me these days. I find myself heading for the bottom line from the start of the process. You're here just for a good time? Bye. At this stage of my life, I don't "date" for kicks. You want someone with red hair? Bye. At this stage of my life, I know what color works best for me. You want someone tall, gorgeous, and modelesque? Well, then I'm your gal! (Ha ha! Just wanted to see if you're still with me!) But then it comes to things that matter to a greater extent - the things that matter on the next level. These are things like musical tastes, favorite pastimes, beliefs and philosophies, and a sense of humor. This is where I have realized that the "Bottom-Line-It, Baby Principle" doesn't always apply. If he gives one "wrong" answer, is he gone? Am I gone? What if my mental checklist only has half of the "X" in a few of the boxes or if some of the boxes remain empty?

I'm almost embarrassed to say that for the first time it has hit me that this is what maturity and love are all about - the art of compromise and giving up what matters to me if it doesn't matter as much as something with greater weight or consequence to the other person. Sometimes you look at what you thought to be the bottom line, and realize that bullet points might not be the solution; sometimes there are descriptive paragraphs that are necessary along the way when people and lasting relationships are on the line. So maybe the real bottom line is this:

* Paragraphs take longer to write than bullet points, but their beauty is worth the effort.
* Paragraphs may require the use of an eraser now and then in order to delete unnecessary words. It may require changing pens in order to add elements which may enhance the appeal or color of the words. The author may need to choose to rephrase an objectionable element for the sake of the reader.
* Paragraphs often require the writers to painstakingly fine-tune the end result.

But the ultimate "bottom line" - - -
* Bottom-lining something should be kept in the realm of business. People and relationships? They deserve paragraphs.

WRW Month - Final Day

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:20:30 GMT

It's so cliche to say "Wow, can you believe it's already the end of February?" but.... Wow, can you believe it's...? More than 30 of you have been "Walking-Reading-Writing" this month, and you have inspired me to do the same! It made what can sometimes be a rather dreary month a little more enjoyable, and for that I thank you!

So here's how it works - Since there are generally a few people who can't report until mid-week, you have until the end of the day on Wednesday, March 4th to report your minutes or your point totals. However, remember that the contest ends at midnight tonight - although I hope we all CONTINUE walking, reading and writing! I'll post the winners by Sunday, March 8th!!!

WRW - My Favorite Things

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 03:04:34 GMT

WRW Month is almost over - with 36 participants, it's been fun getting your updates and totals! Keep it up!

Sometimes when I walk around the Henry Ford Museum, I do a "praise walk" in my head - thinking of names or character qualities of God from A-Z. Sometimes, I do my multiplication tables. Yes. I'm serious! But the other day, when life suddenly went pear shaped, I tried to mentally list lots and lots of my favorite things! Julie Andrews was right - "I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don't feel........so............bad!"

My Favorite Things
(At Least Some of Them!)

When my dad answers the phone. The color yellow on a cloudy day. Oyster crackers. Homemade granola. Facebook friendships. Salted caramel hot chocolate from Starbucks. My Jane Austen buddies. Fresh notebooks. Fresh grapes. Vanilla candles. All candles. Young friends. Old friends. Hearing my brother's laugh when I say something funny. Pictures of my great-nephew, Kaleb. Spontaneous short phone calls. Drinking hot beverages from a mug. A letter with my name handwritten on the envelope. Walking along Lake Erie with Carol. The Saturday newspaper. Breakfast in bed on the weekend. My own scenic photography. Memories. Anticipation. When no one is home in the upstairs flat so I can sing at the top of my lungs. Freshly-cleaned sheets. School supply season. Pillows. Yellow roses. My mother's laughter. Reading a whole book in one day. Having a free day in which to read a whole book. Josh. Steph. Kaleb. Jillian. Will. Janelle. Eric. Fountain pens. A piggy bank full of coins. Feeling free to list some of my favorite things whether anyone reads them or not!

WRW Month - Saturday "Shout Out"

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:11:48 GMT

It's time for the next Saturday "Shout Out" - a way of sharing things that I think are worth sharing! Today's shout out goes to Whisperings Solo Piano Radio.

My niece Janelle wrote to me about this great internet station, and I'm thankful that she did! It's a great "background" station for work, home, or just personal listening! The mellow music is a nice blend of sacred and secular "sets" that are calm, relaxing, and unique. It often gets a response such as "I really like that music you're playing. What CD is that?"

A few days ago I wrote in my status update on Facebook that I was listening to and enjoying solopianoradio.com, and several friends decided to check it out. One friend even said her kids fell asleep to it right away - two days in a row! - in their hotel room! Others said they tried it and are now listening to it at work or at home.

When you go to the website, you'll notice a few options that you have. You can pay a small fee, become a member, and avoid commercial interruption. You can also choose to listen to it for free, either via the mp3 free stream, or via Windows Media free stream. The only "commercials" in the "free" option are when the announcer comes on briefly maybe once or twice an hour to tell you that you can become a member. So I choose the "free" route when I'm only listening to it at work.

So, check it out, listen, and enjoy!!!

WRW Month - Day 12 - Recommended Reading

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:38:43 GMT

I haven't blogged much this week - but I can honestly say that I've been making the most of WRW Month myself! Exercising or walking either at home or at the Henry Ford Museum gives me time to think, pray, and do something other than sit at my desk! Reading has been easy to do the last couple weeks - I had to finish Pride and Prejudice in time for Jane Austen Book Club earlier this week. It was a great read. I love book club because it stretches me to read things I probably wouldn't read otherwise. As for letter-writing, my goal was to write at least one letter each day, but I've ended up sending more than that!

Since I don't get "points" for my own contest, I'm just doing each of these for the sheer joy of doing them - and with so many participating, they are motivating me to do even more than I thought I could!

Yes, that all leads me to recommend the following book to you: On a Personal Note..., by Angela Ensminger and Keely Chace. I bought mine for $15.00 last year at a Hallmark store. If you're one who feels you don't write letters because you don't know what to say, this is the book for you. As the summary on the back cover states: "From thank-you to sympathy and everything in between, On a Personal Note... breaks writing great notes into six easy-to-do steps."

Chapter Titles: Introduction, 1-Gratitude, 2-Congratulations, 3-Important Days, 4-Love & Romance, 5-Apology & Reconnection, 6-Comfort & Cheer, 7-Sympathy, 8-Business, and the final chapter-PS Some Useful Information for Note Writing

The authors not only created a book full of pleasing colors, designs, and illustrations, they also created a book full of ideas, motivational thoughts, and inspirational tidbits! For less than the cost of a DVD, you can have a book that will guide you through the joys of letter-writing and card-sending!