By Sophia One

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This is the backstory of why I created my project, One Letter 4 All, with the Lead360 learning journey.

“What is your love language?” is a question I hear often among friend groups, and as an icebreaker used for small talk. I personally love this question because I have more confidence in my answer than I do in math class, and I’m pretty great at solving equations if you ask me. 

Words of affirmation are undeniably better than the hugs, gifts, and quality time for me. The sense of validation just comforts me, and I am unapologetic about it! Words, whether spoken or written, hold so much power and value in our society. Besides direct communication, they convey hidden emotions and unspoken thoughts, build unexpected relationships, and can uplift spirits. Language and rhetoric are building blocks of our humanity, as well as serving as a bridge that connects our hearts, minds, and communities together.

In recognizing the power of words, we should strive to use them to uplift others. Affirmations and positive expressions can transform lives, instilling confidence and hope in those who receive them. When we choose to speak kindly and offer encouragement, we contribute to a culture of positivity and support. This is not just beneficial on an individual level but also cultivates a more compassionate society.

This is why I’ve been appreciating the art of letter writing for quite a while now. I like to write to my friends and family on days of celebrations, or when they need the support the most. Instead of using a digital platform to send a quick positive message, physically writing a postcard requires time and thought, making it a more personal act of kindness. Throughout the writing process, I naturally engage my genuine feelings and heartfelt support, which profoundly impact the recipients. 

Letter writing can also increase empathy among writers. In a digital age where it is easy to harass people online and hide away, negativity in the cyber sphere has been at an all time high. To restore the lost empathy, letter writing can be a great exercise to improve upon yourself. It is a reflective practice that pushes us to consider the recipient’s background and perspective. This act of empathy fosters deeper understanding and can break down barriers between individuals from diverse backgrounds. By sharing stories and experiences through letters, we can overcome the cultural, social, and geographical divides.

However, letter writing can be a hard habit to start! For example, it was the hot summer of 2022, and I had absolutely no plans lined up for the season. Being bored out of my mind everyday, I was always scrolling on Instagram, hoping to find something that would entertain me. One day, I came across an account called Heart of Dinner. From a couple of posts, I’ve learned that this non profit organization donated food packages to Asian American elders who live in under-resourced neighborhoods. I was so inspired by their initiative as an Asian American myself, and I sought out ways on how to support this group. I found out that volunteers can create and mail out colorful notes, which would be attached to the donated food packages, making it more personalized. However, their website stated that the notes must be delivered in groups of 25. But I was only one girl in an empty house. So being in the progressive mood, I decided to make it a challenge for myself and make one card everyday for about a month. Despite not knowing any Asian language to write in these cards, I was determined to use my creativity and google translate to make 25 wholesome notes. 

It was day 9 when I gave up. I ran out of materials and the energy to keep going. But I was still so proud of the nine cards that came out looking beautiful. Despite the defeat, I saved my remaining work for the next time I was feeling inspired. 

Letter writing may involve a lot of physical work, time, and energy, but the positive impact is very much worth it in the end.

Process

I wanted to acknowledge what I was passionate and include social activism. In the beginning and end, I took a personal approach to connect and engage with the audience. I intentionally choose to self reflect on my love of writing and word of affirmations, which was what my Lead360 project is about. I also wanted to bring up the general importance of these two concepts, and explain why I value it so much. With these two approaches, I hope the reader feels inspired at the end.