Yesterday was a great day.  I spent time talking to a woman who was willing to share her experience with the Yellow Envelope Project.

She told me of her visits to the site and seeing our Saturday nominations.  She earnestly shared why she continues to tune in, but has not yet participated in our Project.

"Maybe if it didn't have to be mailed in a yellow envelope.  Then, maybe, I would be more inclined to do it."

Nope, I replied.  The extra effort required to put it in a yellow envelope, or a white envelope decorated with yellow stickers and markers, is part of what makes the Project shine.  When we shine, we realize the big impact of little things.  The yellow envelope is a symbol of that.

"Well maybe if there was a way I could send an email or an e-card.  Maybe then I would do it."

Nope, I said.  Tell me something.  Tell me how it feels when you get a real piece of mail in your mailbox.  "Great, she said, but it hardly ever happens."  Exactly, I replied, and that is precisely why our mail has to arrive the good old fashioned way.  It's rare.  It's personal.  It takes effort, and real mail leaves an impression that electronic mail cannot duplicate.  The fact that our recipient receives the gift of real, good-old-fashioned-snail-mail, is another part of what makes our idea shine.

"Maybe it's that I don't feel connected to the person, because all I am reading is a one or two paragraphs of what he or she accomplished."

"Maybe," I replied, but here is the way I look at it.  The world is full of good people who are doing good things.  Why not recognize as many of them as we can as often as we can?  We do not benefit by being stingy with words of admiration and gratitude.  I know what it feels like to be thanked for work I have done and it is one of life's greatest and most simple pleasures.  If I can give that feeling to someone else, just by spending ten minutes of my time writing a heartfelt note, then it's the easiest decision I will make all week long. 

"But I send the letter and I never get a response back," she lamented.  "I will never know if the person got my note and liked it.  Maybe if there was a way to get feedback."

Smiling ear to ear and resisting the urge to jump out of my chair, I bounced back, "But, that's the point. It is an anonymous letter of gratitude, mailed to another human being with no strings attached.  That is exactly what makes your note a gift - a selfless act of generosity."

Then I said one more thing.  I said, "Promise me something.  You have listed quite a few legitimate deterrents to sending a yellow envelope, but you have not stopped thinking about the experience long enough to just give it a try.  Promise me that sometime in the next four or six weeks you will forget all the reasons not to send an envelope and you will try it.  Know that nothing bad will come from participating in the Yellow Envelope Project and trust that something good could...will come from it.  If not for you, for the recipient."

You-know-who, if you are out there then consider making this the week you send your first yellow envelope.  Trust that by carving out ten or fifteen minutes of your week, you can give a gift that will leave you feeling every bit as good as this week's recipient, Toni.   Read the short paragraph below, describing Toni's contribution, and don't worry if it her story doesn't connect with you completely.  See Toni's contribution for what it is  - a commitment to using her talents to make the world a better place.  Why wouldn't we recognize that commitment in as many of our fellow citizens as is possible to do in our life time?

"Toni is the greatest health assistant ever! She has worked at Islands Elementary for 6 years. In those six years she has been a home away from home for students of all ages and situations. She embraces our special needs students whole heartedly and makes them feel like they are the most important person around! Students who struggle with their social skills learn quickly how to greet Miss Toni! Students who typically do not become attached to people become very attached to Miss Toni because she takes time to get to know them and is always warm and loving to them. She is continuing her education to become an RN and will be the best RN ever! She is being moved to a different campus in our school district and is very sad about this but is primarily focused on training the new person to take care of "her children". She will be dearly missed because of her ability to always SHINE! Islands Elementary Dolphins LOVE Miss Toni!"

This week it is nurse at a public school in Arizona.  Next week it could be a business owner in Montana, a waitress in West Virginia, or a computer programmer in Rhode Island.  The story of our weekly recipient isn't entirely the point, since ultimately we want to recognize every person who Shines.  The real point is to cultivate in you an awareness that by freely sharing and giving gratitude, you will be presented with more reasons to be grateful.

I can't convince you that what I am saying is true.  I can only invite you to participate, convinced that your logical reservations will be replaced by an illogical feeling of euphoria.

I say, give it a try.  Here is her address:

Shining off until Monday...