Sending a note of thanks gives the season meaning

Character is the product of daily, hourly actions, and words and thoughts; daily forgivenesses, unselfishness, kindnesses, sympathies, charities, sacrifices for the good of others, struggles against temptation, submissiveness under trial. Oh, it is these, like the blending colors in a picture or the blending notes of music which constitute the man.

-- JR Macduff

It started with a walk to the mailbox. That's usually the first thing I do when I arrive home, check the mail. The contents of one envelope addressed to me were inspiring. I read it, gave it to my wife to read, and then read it again.

It was a note of appreciation along with a letter explaining why I received it. The note was sufficient, but the letter made it more meaningful. I was moved to copy the idea and I am glad I did.

The message was about Lent, the 40-day period before Easter. It is a time when Christians are to reflect, give up something or resolve to do something -- in preparation for Holy Week. Some fast, others quit an activity they enjoy or is important to them. Last year I gave up desserts. That for me was a sacrifice. It was difficult at first, but I made it.

"I suspect the attached note will catch you rather by surprise," the letter began. JP (not his real name) was right.

Several years ago, he said, a friend told him "about the best Lent resolution he ever did -- every day of Lent. He wrote a note or letter to someone who had been important in his life, to thank them and let them know how important they had been."

What a great idea.

There are benefits to writing the notes, too -- the act of doing so feels good. I can attest to that. JP's friend said, "the rewards of writing were fabulous" and "that was before those people began contacting him back, which really made his year."

About six years ago, JP decided to try the idea and has continued to do so. It has been a great experience for him, too. I called and thanked him for his thoughtfulness and for sharing such a great idea. I decided to try it, too. I wrote my list of names to start, purchased some note cards, stamps and started writing. The first card was to my wife. She was surprised, too.

While each note is different, the accompanying letter is the same. It was easy to get started. I used the letter I received as a model. I wrote, "Recently, I received a kind note of appreciation from an acquaintance ... I met several years ago. We have infrequently remained in contact with each other. So, imagine my surprise to receive a thoughtful note from him and a letter, similar to this one, explaining why."

I also admitted that I had "no shame in my game." In other words, I borrowed a few sentences from the letter JP sent to me: "So, thank you for being a force for change, and for optimism in this world. Please keep on being you; you are needed, appreciated, and loved."

I am already benefiting from these acts of appreciation. I received a heartfelt voice-mail message full of love from one person. I will listen to that call a few more times.

Another long-time supporter and important person to me called, too. She was really moved, and she said she received the note at the right time. "When I got this letter today, it brought me down out of the clouds," the former educator told me. "Someone cares about me."

She encouraged me to continue to do good; she always does. She has been a behind-the-scenes force in my life for a long time. She kept coming back to the note and the letter, full of thanks. "I needed it," she said. "I really needed it."

She has faced a challenging situation recently and now says, "I am not going to be broken-hearted." She asked for prayer for strength and said that she would continue to pray for me as well.

I thank JP for sending me that note and sharing the reason why. There is one other group of people I'd like to thank, too -- you, the reader. You are important. Maybe you will also start a new tradition during Lent, or at anytime, and enjoy the rewards of doing so.

■ Nigel Alston is a Dale Carnegie trainer and motivational speaker who lives in Winston-Salem. He can be reached at nalston@triad.rr.com.