A Lost Art

Today I’m just rambling about how we communicate with each other.

It seems to me, everything we do these days is abbreviated, especially how we communicate with each other. A handwritten letter, in my opinion, has become an archaic form of communication. It’s practically non-existent. To sit and handwrite a letter these days for most of us is to time consuming. Because as a society we are so busy, we have to find ways to save time, money and get as much accomplished as possible within an allotted window of time.

I can’t recall the last time I wrote or received a handwritten letter. I mean dusting off that box of beautiful stationery that’s tucked away on the top shelf of your closet. The one you received as a gift from grandma or some other relative long ago. I believe that was a hint they wanted you to stay in touch. That same stationery you used maybe once or twice to scribble a quick reminder to pick up eggs and milk before it got packed away with all the other stuff that are rarely or never used.

The whole letter-writing process from stuffing the envelope to putting it in the mailbox has been practically replaced by e-mail, e-chatting, IM’s, texting and so on. Traditional mailing has even been termed “snail mail”. Today we can even send an e-card instead of a traditional greeting card.  You can even meet your potential mate through electronic communication. But, that’s a whole other subject for another time. Texting and email has become the new “handwritten letter”.

The way we communicate and interact with others has certainly changed over the last decade or so. I understand we want to get more done in as little time as possible. Also, save money and our planet in the process by being as green as possible, but in our efforts to do so, have we become too impersonal in the way we communicate or interact with each other?

So, next time before you shoot that quick email, type that text message or send an e-card to a family member or close friend, I would like to encourage you to take a little extra time to craft a handwritten letter instead. I’m not saying do it all the time just every now and again. Just visualize the smile on their face when they open the mailbox and have that “aww that’s so sweet, I feel so special” moment when they realize it’s from you.

Get inspired…to write!

A Strong Finish

Hello all,

I do apologize for the amount of time that has passed since my first post.  My intent was to post once a week, that has certainly not been the case.  In respect to blogging, the past few months have been very hectic for me.  Let me bring you up to speed.  I got sick with a very nasty cold that had me out of commission for a whole week, which threw me behind with school.  Things got really rough for a moment, to the point that I seriously contemplated quitting school altogether.

I had to make major adjustments in my life to find balance between working and going to school fulltime. Instead of coming home and relaxing, I no longer had that luxury, I had to study. A typical night of homework consisted of solving Algebra problems, reading two chapters for American history and/or writing a 500-1000 word argumentative essay for freshman English by the next class meeting.  I had to become disciplined enough to hit the books when I really wanted to do something else like sleep. My life went from an abundance of free time to practically none.  It seemed every waking minute was spent sitting.  Sitting in traffic, in church, at my desk, in a lecture hall or at the dinning room table doing homework. There were the occasional meals and a few hours of sleep in conjunction and in between all the sitting.

On a brighter note, the semester is over and I survived. Hallelujah!!! I must say I truly enjoyed my learning experience. I think I enjoyed it so much because a couple of my professors were so animated and engaging that it made learning fun and exciting. I always felt as though I was behind on everything, but I was actually right on track. Skeptical about my grades, but once I saw them, I was quite pleased and in my moment of celebration, I squealed with excitement thank you Lord! After all the prayers, late nights, all-nighters and early mornings it all paid off. Even though I started the semester a little rocky; unsure of myself about whether I had what it took to finish what I started this time, I was extremely proud of myself.  Talk about finishing strong, I had an amazingly strong finish! I ended the semester with an A and 2 B’s.

I’m taking the summer off  to recuperate, regroup and reflect. I’m using the time to strategize and set new goals for the Fall semester so that I will start and finish strong. Also, I’m working on a few writing projects and plan to finish at least one by Labor Day. Please help me out; hold me accountable by asking how’s my writing coming.

A special thank you to all who encouraged me to continue when I wanted to give up. But most of all thanks to my heavenly Father for giving me the strength and power to endure to the end. “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13

Pursuing my dream,

Sarah

Stay Tuned…

Subscribe to my blog so you can keep up with what’s going on while I’m on this journey and see how I handle it all without flipping out!!!

Sarah

My Favorite Way to Start the Day

Starting my day right

pray

Prayer!!!

Pursuing a Dream!

Pursuing a once abandoned dream such as earning a college education can be a very interesting and exciting journey. Last year, in 2010, I decided I wanted to go back to school and finally earn my college degree. Well, here it is January 2011, and I’m enrolled in college as a freshman. Yay me! I’m not talking about online classes either. I mean, actually fighting morning and evening rush hour traffic driving to campus, circling the parking garage or lot like a shark, practically sprinting to class with books in hand to be on time and sitting in a classroom with a group of people who address me as ma’am, enrolled in school.

Prior to actually stepping foot in the classroom, I’ve experienced a range of emotions from nervous excitement to excitedly nervous and everything in between.  But I must say, I’d gladly do it all over again if given the opportunity. Although, much to my amazement, the overall process was practically seamless. Since my initial enrollment in 1984, I’ve made a couple of attempts to return but failed for one reason or another.  But this time was different, it felt right, like all the lights were green.  Through the whole process of applying for re-admission and being accepted, it had a more profound effect on me.   Not that it didn’t mean something the other times.  This time had a much greater significance.  I have a different perspective and a better appreciation or understanding of what it could mean to earn a college degree.  A degree that would afford me the opportunity to learn more about what I really enjoy doing…writing.

There were a few moments during the first week, I thought and even said to myself and to others “I should have stayed in school all those years ago” or “I must be crazy to go back to school at this point in my life”.  I had to encourage myself by constantly quoting Phil. 4:13 which says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me”.  Because faith comes by hearing and hearing and hearing!!!  I had to build my faith up in myself by continually saying it and allow those words to settle in my spirit.  But in hindsight, all those years ago, I lacked the motivation, determination, commitment and tenacity for such a great undertaking.  I had no real vision, purpose or goals for myself or my future. But today, I’m crystal clear and sure about what I want out of life.

As I reflect back over the past two weeks I feel even more sure about pursuing my dream at this point in my life. I would also like to thank all those who encouraged me, let me borrow books, tutored and the offers to tutor me. I must say that I’m truly blessed to have all of you in my life. Hugs and kisses.