So says Anne Frank. Do you agree? Happy people certainly could lighten the mood in a room, but I think for happiness to be transferred from one person to another there must be some sort of personal sharing. It could be a compliment, a warm smile, some understanding words or a bit of welcome good news. Nothing comes from nothing.

Every letter we write has the potential to be a gift of caring and sharing but some letters show we care more than others. If our letter is entirely about us, as interesting as our lives might be, we can’t expect our letter to warm the heart of our pen friend. Share your news, yes, but include kind words about your pen friend. You might be thinking those kind words, but unless your friend is a mind reader it’s best to put those words into print.

When my penfriend shares happy thoughts concerning the times we’ve spent together that makes me feel happy too. You see, it’s a compliment to know someone is thinking of us, to know we matter to others. We feel appreciated and who doesn’t like to feel appreciated? Simply finding a personal letter in our mailbox is a delight, but if that letter includes kind words and compliments, well, it can make someone’s day. We all have the power to lift the spirits of others with every interaction, and every letter we write. As we do this good deed we not only make others happier but we feel better about ourselves too.

You might just write “Smile” on your letter envelope as my friend Andy does. It’s a simple gesture but it really has made me smile. It just might make your friends smile too. Any attempt to share our joy with others is a good thing and it’s good for us because sharing doubles the joy. It really does. Don’t take my word for it. Write a kind letter full of compliments and see how you feel. You just might get a kind letter in return. Your kindness may start a chain of kind events happening all around.

So next time you’d like to make the world a better place just by being you try writing a loving letter to a friend or acquaintance or long lost family member or anyone at all. When we care about others not just about ourselves magic happens. I’ve felt this magic and you will too.