Dear You

Dear You- Spread Kindness

Dear You,

As I write these letters, I realize it is no longer about telling people things. That's what it was in the beginning, and probably will continue to be sometimes; but it has come to be more. I realize that through the ponderings of these letters, I have learned about seeing the people around me, and not just letting them pass by. I have learned about my place in the world in relation to others in it. Just recently, I have learned about friendship.

As I told my Best Friend, in that letter you delivered, I am not necessarily good at "friends." I am insecure and terrified of judgement, and am halfway good at pretending I'm not. I convince myself that nobody really likes me, and I have no real friends. I get stuck inside my own head and senselessly drag myself down.

What a happy day it was when I received an unexpected present to change all that.

My Best Friend came to me and a group of our classmates (who I am sure are friends now, although I wasn't before) and started something unexpected. She had all of us write short notes to each other, summarizing the qualities we admire most in each other. For me that was easy. These friends are all so funny, smart, creative, kind, and everything I know I will never be. It wasn't difficult to find character traits to compliment them on.

I was afraid, though. What would they say about me? What could they say about me? I'm a terrible person and I know it. Would they write something fake, generic, trying to be nice? I hoped some of them wouldn't, but I really wasn't sure.

All I have to say is what a terrific idea my Best Friend had.

I received twenty of the most encouraging, uplifting notes I have ever seen in my life. These people had genuinely seen qualities in my that they liked, that they didn't hate. Some were long, some were short. All fit on a regular index card. Three said, "I love you." Two I didn't know especially well signed with, "Your friend, __." Quite a few said they looked forward to sharing classes with me next year. They all pulled out qualities that I had always overlooked or belittled, and made me feel like I was worth more than a million bucks.

I am forever grateful for the kindness of these acquaintances--no, friends--and the time they took to make me feel loved.

Dear You, please start something like this at your school. Do it with your class, your sports team, your clique, whoever. If there are people near you, let them know they are seen and appreciated. These notes pulled me away from the darkness of my mind today; please find ways to encourage others and help them in the same way.

Dear You, you never know whose life you could be saving.

Dear You, make an impact on the people around you. Spread kindness.

Saved, -Me