http://simplesapien.com/the-power-of-a-simple-letter/ Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:24:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 http://simplesapien.com/the-power-of-a-simple-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-515 Tim Swanson Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:13:08 +0000 http://simplesapien.com/?p=60#comment-515 I have found that the greatest advantage to writing a "real" letter is that one can take as much time as needed to develop just the right word usage, just the right phraseology, to fully express one's views, opinions or points to their maximum accuracy and impact. Often it is difficult (for most of us) to come up with that ideal language in a live conversation. With the time spent in composing a good letter, it is most likely that the emotional effect will have tempered and taken it's rightful back seat to the issues. This is one of the downfalls of e-mail, it is instantaneous, you cannot retrieve your letter before the postal worker picks it up, if you have second thoughts. The second reason for writing is so as to not cloud one's view, one's suggestions, in light of the other party's verbal lead or feedback. "I want to deliver my message in its purest form, and receive your message in its clearest form." A letter can be read over and over, in varying levels (or in the absence) of interference, with greater attention given, and it removes the subliminal effect of body language, etc. A very influential man in my life had a sign on the wall of his office that read: "I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant"... In short: The Power Of A Simple Letter I have found that the greatest advantage to writing a “real” letter is that one can take as much time as needed to develop just the right word usage, just the right phraseology, to fully express one’s views, opinions or points to their maximum accuracy and impact. Often it is difficult (for most of us) to come up with that ideal language in a live conversation.
With the time spent in composing a good letter, it is most likely that the emotional effect will have tempered and taken it’s rightful back seat to the issues. This is one of the downfalls of e-mail, it is instantaneous, you cannot retrieve your letter before the postal worker picks it up, if you have second thoughts.
The second reason for writing is so as to not cloud one’s view, one’s suggestions, in light of the other party’s verbal lead or feedback. “I want to deliver my message in its purest form, and receive your message in its clearest form.”
A letter can be read over and over, in varying levels (or in the absence) of interference, with greater attention given, and it removes the subliminal effect of body language, etc.
A very influential man in my life had a sign on the wall of his office that read: “I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant”…
In short: The Power Of A Simple Letter

]]> http://simplesapien.com/the-power-of-a-simple-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-298 Bob Rugile Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:45:10 +0000 http://simplesapien.com/?p=60#comment-298 One of the positive things you mentioned about letters is that it gives you time to cool down. This is very important since you don't want to say or write anything in anger that can not be taken back so easily. I suggest that you also write the letter and sit on it for a day or two. Reread it, and if you still have those same feelings, mail it off. If you reread it and it still sounds too harsh you can always rewrite it. The theraeutic benefit of writing is that you will have taken those possibly negative emotions and gotten them off your chest so that you don't internaize them. One of the positive things you mentioned about letters is that it gives you time to cool down. This is very important since you don’t want to say or write anything in anger that can not be taken back so easily. I suggest that you also write the letter and sit on it for a day or two. Reread it, and if you still have those same feelings, mail it off. If you reread it and it still sounds too harsh you can always rewrite it. The theraeutic benefit of writing is that you will have taken those possibly negative emotions and gotten them off your chest so that you don’t internaize them.

]]> http://simplesapien.com/the-power-of-a-simple-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-160 kristen Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:42:49 +0000 http://simplesapien.com/?p=60#comment-160 hmmm, you make letters seem negativo in this post. i like the happy letters and birthday cards. i rarely get them, or send them for that matter, but i love old-friend-catching-up-type letters. those are fun! or how about love notes? from secret admirers? a "you're-the-greatest-kid" mom note in your lunch box? hmmm, you make letters seem negativo in this post. i like the happy letters and birthday cards. i rarely get them, or send them for that matter, but i love old-friend-catching-up-type letters. those are fun! or how about love notes? from secret admirers? a “you’re-the-greatest-kid” mom note in your lunch box?

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