Who among us didn’t have a shoebox full of skillfully folded notes that were passed in the halls of high school? Remember how we painstakingly drew our bubble-lettered signatures and perfected our smiley faces?

I finally let go of most of my high school notes in the years after college, but I did keep a few. Every so often I run across them while de-cluttering, and they always make me laugh. It’s so fun to have a mini piece of history (even if a bit of melodrama is involved) right in my hands!

With the invention of e-mail, texting, ichatting and more, the written note may be on the endangered species list. That’s why I thought this tip from a reader was such a great one. She writes:

Here’s something else I try to do. Write a note a week to someone–not
e-mail… For some reason, it makes you feel good!

When this tip came in March, I went to my local Michael’s Arts and Crafts store and armed myself with a box of fun and funky assorted textured cards. A good pen and a sheet of stamps kept right by my desk, and I figured I was all set to try my card a week.

I haven’t accomplished my mission every week, but I have written more notes by hand in the last few months. And I have to agree, it just makes me feel good! Imagine the surprise your husband, parent, child, friend, or even former high school teacher would feel if you took the time to write them a note. I think they’d feel pretty Extraordinary and so would you!

Extra-Ordinary Suggestions

Read It: Personal Notes: How to Write from the Heart for Any Occasion

Do It: Write a note to someone this week! Check out the cards I bought here.

Think It: “All you need to write a letter is a pen, a piece of paper, and you. Get into the envelope and seal the flap!” – Wilfred Peterson

I’m a real sap when it comes to Mother’s Day. I usually can’t help but shed a tear by the time I make it through my kids’ letters that seem to come every year (thanks to teachers who make sure to include Mother’s Day Projects in their lesson plans).

As we get older, it isn’t as easy for us to give such heartfelt gifts without the prompting of a favorite teacher. Whether it’s Mother’s Day, a Birthday, or any other important day celebrating someone special in your life, one gift you can always make (besides cookies!) is meaning. It’s one of the best homemade gifts of all.

Making meaning involves giving your gift a little extra thought and a little more time. When you make meaning and give it away, you create a gift that is uniquely intended for the recipient. One of the easiest ways is to attach a heartfelt note of gratitude and admiration to whatever the gift may be.

Another way to make meaning is by coordinating an experience to share with your loved one. A friend of mine suggests inviting family members together to make a family recipe. She said it’s a perfect way to pass on family stories, laugh, and create a memory for all involved. Have one of the kids snap some photos, write up a brief account of the day and ta-da . . . instant meaning!

And remember, it’s so not about perfection. The meaning is in the doing. So let loose, have fun, and see what happens. Your loved ones will thank you for it!

EXTRA-Ordinary Ideas:

Read It: Check out these great ideas for meaningful gifts that others have given and received.

Do It: Make a list of meaningful gift possibilities for a few special people in your life. Add to the list occasionally when a bright idea crosses your mind. When it comes time to celebrate them, you’ll have a bundle of priceless possibilities.

Think It: “The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.” ~Pierre Corneille

Everybody loves getting a gift, right? Any kid (and some adults) can tell you that the anticipation of opening a nicely wrapped package is half the fun. The other half of the fun belongs to the giver of the gift. This week you can be the gift giver by giving away something that is free, good for you, and accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime:

Enthusiasm

I’m not talking about the fake enthusiasm that exudes from the fitting room attendant that tells the shopper a door down from you that the pastel pink pleated pants suit “looks fabulous” and “ is absolutely still in style.” I’m talking about a genuine feeling emitted by particular people on a regular basis in the midst of day-to-day life. You can probably think of someone who brings energy, levity, and fun to most any situation. They keep life interesting, and others love to be around them. I used to think that these people had a natural gift. But experience has taught me otherwise:

Enthusiasm is a choice.

People who have an enthusiastic attitude on a regular basis have made a conscious choice to view life in a positive way. They make it look so easy that we tend to forget that effort is a part of enthusiasm.

Some situations are easy to be enthusiastic about, but it’s the smaller stuff of life that can most be affected by enthusiasm. Making an effort to inject enthusiasm into the routine of things can change your perception of your daily life. You don’t have to overdo it: cleaning out the trash can with fervent enthusiasm may cause your family undue concern. But, you can start with just one thing – like being enthusiastic when hearing of a friend’s accomplishment, or being enthusiastic when you first see your children after school, or being the one who brings the enthusiasm to a difficult task you are doing with others.

I’ve been given the gift of enthusiasm many times by family, friends, co-workers, students, and even strangers. Each time I receive it, I feel better mentally and physically. The enthusiasm of others allows me to conquer what I think is impossible and turns routine experiences into something memorable.

I hope you put enthusiasm to work for you (and others) this week.

Extra-Ordinary Ideas:

Read It: Read a Washington Post column on how one man has been putting his enthusiasm to work for 55 years as a stadium usher.

Do It: Choose one day this week to be a person of high enthusiasm!

Think It: “Nothing Great Was Ever Achieved Without Enthusiasm” – Ralph Waldo Emerson