Letters for Life

Here’s an interesting and meaningful gift idea that lasts for an entire year — Letters for Life. Every month for an entire year you can give yourself or others a hand-addressed personal letter written by Stan Lankowitz — a successful author, psychotherapist, and life coach. From his web site:

Gifts are one way we communicate our love, affection, gratitude, or respect for others. Struggling to find the “right” gift can be challenging and time-consuming. What does she want? What does he need? What would be an appropriate gift?

We purchase books, blenders, blouses, tools, toys, and ties. We buy puppies, pens, plants, palm pilots, penknives, and perfume. Most gifts are intended to bring pleasure or make life more convenient.

Letters for Life is a simple way to give a unique gift that keeps on giving for an entire year. The ideas and messages in these letters can even have an impact that lasts for a lifetime. You stay connected to people because every single month they receive a letter that is a personal gift from you.

You can choose from four categories: Life Coaching, Happy Mail, Celebrating Parenthood, and Teen Talk. Sample letters are available from the order page.

Posted 9 December 2003 | Link to This Entry | View Comments (2)

Donate Life

The Coalition on Donation says more than 80,000 people are currently waiting for an organ transplant. But according to an article in Reader’s Digest there are only about 12,000 cases a year in which a deceased person’s organs are viable, and in 39% of those cases the organs weren’t used because family members objected.

The laws on organ donation vary from state to state. Visit donatelife.net for more information on how to make sure your wishes are carried out and to download a donor card.

Posted 2 December 2003 | Link to This Entry | View Comments (0)

DWF (Driving While Friendly)

I’m constantly on the lookout for opportunities to do something friendly while driving, like slowing down to let someone make a much-needed lane change or allowing a car to enter the road in front of me. It’s a small gesture, but it relaxes me and makes me feel good. And I know it makes the other person feel good as there are many, many more people out there whose driving style is more in the “ruin someone’s day” category.

Tom & Ray (Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers) offer the following inspiration and advice in the introduction to The Official Car Talk Guide to Civil Driving:

Try to react to “frustrating” situations as you would if you were walking instead of driving. Would you yell at the little old lady in front of you who didn’t start to cross the street the second the light came on? Probably not. If someone almost bumped into you on the sidewalk, would you call him a jerk and make obscene gestures? (If you would, you’re hopeless and we don’t want to have coffee with you.) In fact, you’d probably say, “Excuse me,” even if he (or she) was, “in the wrong.”

Finally, this humorous letter about the “problem” with courteous drivers. Thanks Click and Clack.

Posted 1 December 2003 | Link to This Entry | View Comments (0)