The Power of Positive Notes
by Joyce Moseley Pierce


As a child, I was taught that it was just good
manners to send notes to acknowledge the receipt
of gifts. When someone took the time to pick
out something for you, it was only right that
you thanked them properly. That didn't mean just
saying, "Thank you." It meant writing a note
telling them how much you appreciated it.

There were two reasons for this note. One, was
to let the person know you received it. The
second was to show them that you did, indeed,
appreciate the thought. It didn't matter whether
or not you liked the item - it was, after all,
the thought that counted.

Knowing how to write notes came in handy when
I got married and as I had children. There were
notes to send for wedding and baby gifts, and
because I had been taught how to write these
notes as a child, it wasn't that difficult.

As I got older, I realized that there are many
uses for notes. If you're only writing notes
for physical gifts that have been given to you,
then you're missing the boat.

Here are a few suggestions for sending a note:

1. To tell someone how much you appreciate
their friendship or their example.

2. To a speaker telling them how much they inspired
you. Comment on one particular point that stood
out for you, or compliment them on their delivery.

3. To tell someone how they have changed
your life. What did they do that helped you
to set goals to become the person you are today?

4. To thank someone for doing something special
for you. If someone brings you dinner, or a
plate of cookies, be sure to return the container
with a note of appreciation.

5. To your spouse to tell them just how much
you love them. Surprise them by tucking the note
into their briefcase or suitcase to be found later.
Guaranteed to bring a smile to their faces.

6. To share something you observed that might
be of interest to them.

7. To share a quote! I have a friend who knows
I am particularly fond of Ralph Waldo Emerson
quotes. If she finds one, she can't wait to
send it to me. I love the quotes, but what
means the most is that she took time out of her
busy day to write it down and send it to me.

People love hearing good things about themselves.
As Dale Carnegie says, people just love to hear
their names and positive feedback.

I recently observed a loving act between a
husband, wife and their small child. I don't
know what the problem was, or what the
father said, but I witnessed something beautiful
between the three of them that day. I was so
touched by it that I thought about it for days.
I told the woman about my feelings, but her
husband was traveling and I didn't get to tell
him. I decided to try to put my observation
in words and sent it in an email.
That evening, I got this reply:

"What a wonderful note that I so needed this
evening! I have been in California all week
working and feeling weighed down with some
intense and difficult projects until late
each evening. I just got back to the hotel
tonight and read this note for the first time.
After feeling the pressures of the world all
week, your note was a wonderful and sensitive
gesture that really lifted me."

These notes don't have to be long. You don't
have to type them, but if that's the best
way for you to express yourself, then go for it.
It's the words that count - not necessarily the
method of delivery.

I have a friend who tries to write a note to
someone every day. If you're going to set a
hefty goal like that for yourself, you're going
to have to pay attention to what's going on
around you so that you'll find good things to
write about!

I think that sometimes we are so busy going about
our day that we don't stop to look at the
beautiful things that are going on around us.
Take just a moment each evening to think about
something that touched you that day, and then
share it. Don't keep it to yourself. Send a
note to someone else and spread the joy!