I was reminded yesterday about the writing of letters. It is my thinking that many of the kids today will never know that singular thrill of getting a letter in the mail. As a child I received few letters but I did get cards. It was always an exciting thing to get a piece of mail. It was stressed at my house, if that letter was addressed to you, it was illegal for anyone else to open it! We were led to believe the FBI or somebody would come and arrest you. That added importance to that letter. I believe my sister tried the pen-pal thing but wouldn't swear to that. I recall at one time that was a popular thing. I doubt that happens today, now it would snap chat or whatever the kids are using. I'm thinking the accessibility of contact with strangers from all over the world, instantly, has undermined that excitement. Truth is I hear more about the abuse of that technology than I hear good about it. Well, we always have a way of abusing technology is some fashion. It's human nature I suppose and nothing to be done about that. I also believe that the instant response is a detriment. Anticipation of a letter or card is a wonderful feeling. It does teach patience as well. Patience is something that is definitely missing in todays world. " Patience is the companion of wisdom " ( Saint Augustine ) I certainly see a lack of wisdom these days. It appears both have taken a hike!
I have always admired the written word. I think that may be because it takes longer to write your thoughts down than it does to just speak them. Written words are a great deal more durable as well. That was especially true before we started recording everything. Still, I am told that every text, every message we send, is stored somewhere and can be retrieved. Watching the news I am beginning to believe that. It is amazing what investigators turn up these days. But it is the thought that goes into writing that I admire. I seldom write letters to anyone although I have done so in the last few months. I didn't type them out and print them, no, I put pen to paper and wrote. I had to go slowly, carefully forming my letters in the hope the recipient will be able to decipher the code. And isn't that what writing really is? It's a code. While going slowly it also forced my mind to slow down a bit, to give a bit more thought to what it is I was saying. Is that the proper word? Have I conveyed my thought? It is easy enough to send the wrong message, no pun intended, when you don't explain your thought clearly. The written word truly is a two edged sword, you need to exercise care when wielding it.
As a final thought I think maybe these kids today will never get a real letter in their lifetime. They will get bills, advertisements and offers for insurance instead. That's about all that comes in the U.S. mail these days. Flyers addressed to current occupant! How impersonal can you get? Perhaps they wil receive a greeting card but maybe just an e-card. I'm not certain but I don't think they grade the kids on penmanship anymore. I wonder if they still teach about the proper form to use when writing correspondence. Do they teach about the salutation? I admit to not remembering a lot of that but I do remember the basic premise. And that premise was cordiality. Correspondence was to be conducted in a cordial fashion, even when sending threatening letters about overdue bills. I do take heart though in knowing that the written word is still admired above all else. I believe that holds true even today. We may read them on tablets or computer screens, some even have the machine read the words for them, but the written word is there, permanent and binding. Isn't that why we say, a man's word is his bond? Yes, today you had best have that word notarized, but the intent is the same. Once I give my " word " whether in writing or verbally, it is binding. Also the reason we all like to have the last word.
I have always admired the written word. I think that may be because it takes longer to write your thoughts down than it does to just speak them. Written words are a great deal more durable as well. That was especially true before we started recording everything. Still, I am told that every text, every message we send, is stored somewhere and can be retrieved. Watching the news I am beginning to believe that. It is amazing what investigators turn up these days. But it is the thought that goes into writing that I admire. I seldom write letters to anyone although I have done so in the last few months. I didn't type them out and print them, no, I put pen to paper and wrote. I had to go slowly, carefully forming my letters in the hope the recipient will be able to decipher the code. And isn't that what writing really is? It's a code. While going slowly it also forced my mind to slow down a bit, to give a bit more thought to what it is I was saying. Is that the proper word? Have I conveyed my thought? It is easy enough to send the wrong message, no pun intended, when you don't explain your thought clearly. The written word truly is a two edged sword, you need to exercise care when wielding it.
As a final thought I think maybe these kids today will never get a real letter in their lifetime. They will get bills, advertisements and offers for insurance instead. That's about all that comes in the U.S. mail these days. Flyers addressed to current occupant! How impersonal can you get? Perhaps they wil receive a greeting card but maybe just an e-card. I'm not certain but I don't think they grade the kids on penmanship anymore. I wonder if they still teach about the proper form to use when writing correspondence. Do they teach about the salutation? I admit to not remembering a lot of that but I do remember the basic premise. And that premise was cordiality. Correspondence was to be conducted in a cordial fashion, even when sending threatening letters about overdue bills. I do take heart though in knowing that the written word is still admired above all else. I believe that holds true even today. We may read them on tablets or computer screens, some even have the machine read the words for them, but the written word is there, permanent and binding. Isn't that why we say, a man's word is his bond? Yes, today you had best have that word notarized, but the intent is the same. Once I give my " word " whether in writing or verbally, it is binding. Also the reason we all like to have the last word.
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