Thursday, May 5, 2011

The Note

About a month ago I was contacted by the publishers of a book I did a review for and asked if I would be interested in reviewing a new gift book called The Note by Mike O'Mary as part of The Note Project. I'm a sucker for gift books and the premise of this book is one that pretty much hits home for me.

The book is the story of a note that the author received from his sister, well into adulthood and how that made him feel. It also highlights the power of someone showing appreciation towards a person for something that made a difference to you.

Pretty much everyone who knows me knows in real life knows I'm always sending cards... sometimes for no reason. I value all that my friends and family do for me and I want to make sure they know that. The really interesting thing about this book is that it outlines all of the reasons or excuses that a person would have to not write a simple note, and outlines why you should ignore those and write the note anyways.

The best part? Is that for all of you who maybe are technically challenged in writing a heartfelt appreciation note are in luck. The author gives you steps and a basic format to follow.

You officially have no more excuses, people.

And I want to talk about The Note Project a little bit too. The whole point is to inspire one million people to write notes of appreciation. To a teacher that made a difference to you, to a family member you have a special memory of, to a friend who means a lot to you, to anyone for anything. I personally love this idea because as it is highlighted in the book, you might think a person knows that you appreciate them... but what if they don't? What if they never really know why they were so special to you? It takes literally two minutes to write a heartfelt note and put it in the mail. I am going to be doing a guest post on The Note Project blog in June about a note I received from someone and what that meant to me. I'm sure this person didn't think of how I would feel when I read it or what a difference it would make on my own life.

Now.. I have a challenge for you, an opportunity for you, and a deal to sweeten it all. :)

1. The challenge:  I challenge you to write ONE note to a person who made a difference in your life for any reason.

2. The opportunity: Mike O'Mary, the author of The Note has graciously offered one of my blog followers a chance to win a Note Project Starter Kit. The kit includes a copy of The Note, a DVD video based on the book, and a set of three thank you cards to get your appreciation notes out.

*All you have you to do is leave a comment on this post saying you are interested in the giveaway and I will draw a name on Monday during my weightloss check in vlog.

3. The deal: I am going to offer you all 10% on your total order in my Etsy shop with the coupon code "SARASBLOG". Go to http://scrapinsara.etsy.com/ , pick out some new cards to write notes on, and use the coupon code.

We can't possibly make this any easier on you. Do it. And, as a reminder? Do you have friends who are mom's? Send them a Mother's Day card. Mother's Day isn't just for your mom. Every mom should be appreciated.

I'm going to leave with a quote that is featured in the book that I spent some time thinking about:

At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. - Albert Schweitzer

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

ooo hook me up homie! The book sounds great and so does the starter kit! I love love love stationary and cards etc to send people :)

Steff said...

I love this idea! I thinkg about writing a note to someone ALL the time, and I don't know why I don't just do it!

Anonymous said...

What an awesome project! It's so sad that the handwritten note is fading. I'm all for anything to bring it back! They mean so much!

ShanStevens said...

This is a great idea. Everybody loves getting mail. We should all strive to write more and email less. Sign me up.

Amy said...

A am interested in the Note Project giveaway. I already know who I am going to write a note to from my childhood. This is a GREAT idea. Wonder why we don't think of these things on our own!

Gillian Griffiths said...

Great idea! I love snail mail. Stopping by from the LB tea party

Gillian Griffiths said...

Great idea. I love snail mail.

Sunshine said...

Is it too late to enter? I hope not. I enjoy sending and receiving "real mail" but I can see how my time management skills lack and therefor I can't find the time. I love your blog btw.