The John Donne Challenge

John Donne once wrote:

Sir, more than kisses,
letters mingle souls;
For, thus friends absent speak.

First of all, this is an effort to write more, get more involved with the world outside of my office and studio and possibly encourage other people to do the same. I have decided to devote one post each month to challenging people to reaching out and encouraging others to do some small positive act. This month, in honor of John Donne, I have created a challenge that will encourage people to write an actual physical letter and mail it to someone they care about.

So how will I do this? I put 5-6 cards in 50 brown paper lunch bags. On the side is this note:


Sir, more than kisses,
letters mingle souls;
For thus friends absent speak.
-John Donne (1572-1631)

Hi! Thanks for picking up this packet!
Please consider it a gift from me.

In this bag you'll find some cards. If you want to keep them and use them for an art project or a bookmark or pass this packet on to someone else, that's fine. However, I would like for you to consider picking out at least one or two and writing a quick note to someone.
Letters are the physical evidence that we have a place in someone's heart. They are the manifestation of our faith that the letter that leaves our hands will be received gladly by someone whose friendship and kindness is there for us. So please consider connecting with someone in your life now or someone you haven't seen in a while. Remember, it's not about perfect grammar or spelling. Sharing a laugh or opening your heart doesn't require perfection.
This is part of a monthly series of challenges to commit random acts of kindness. Information on this challenge can be found here: http://jasfaulkner.blogspot.com/2009/01/john-donne-challenge.html
Please feel free to join in. If you participated or if you simply want to sound off, I would love to hear from you.

Peace,
Jas Faulkner

PS. Some of these cards might be considered PG to PG-13 Forewarned is forearmed.



I will be placing the packets where I hope people will find them and possibly use them. We'll see how it goes. I challenge everyone who reads this to do something this month that could possibly encourage someone to write a letter. If you don't feel comfortable doing that, how about writing a letter or two? And yes, I'd love to read about what happened when you did!

Peace,
Jas


copyright 2009 jas faulkner