I wrote a post in late October titled, Low. It told of a sad handwritten letter that I discovered tucked behind a telephone poll at the cross section of Hall-Johnson and Parr, in Grapevine Texas. Many readers shared their feelings about the letter in our Comment Section, but one reader in particular (artnme1556) made a great suggestion. He said, "Write back a letter of hope."

Months have passed, but the sense of responsibilty to respond has not. Finally yesterday, I took time to write a note of hope that I believe can counter the sense of hopelessness felt by that teenage girl from three months ago.

I am sharing my note with you, because the collective energy of this group is what compelled me to reply.

One one side:

"A few months ago I found a 14-page handwritten letter in the exact spot that you have found this note. The letter was written by a teenage girl and it was filled with sadness, hopelessness, and self-loathing.  For weeks afterwards the idea of the letter and its contents made me sad. Someone with whom I shared the story suggested that I replace the heaviness I was feeling with a message of hope and that I place the note in the very same spot. I trust YOU found it for a reason."

On the other side:

"You Shine! You were uniquely created and placed on this earth to make a contribution that you and only you can make. Half the fun is figuring out what that contribution is and the other half is doing it. Go out and fill the universe with your magic." 

Tune in Monday to read about an "aha" I had along the way. But, for today let's just smile and enjoy the inspired deed we did. And maybe daydream about how our single act will, in turn, create a ripple effect that works its way through the universe.

Happy Friday.

Shining off until Monday when I share my "aha".