These words were written by Mary Beth Janssen in her book Rejuvenation and I agree with her thinking wholeheartedly. Do you? Are you a writer? I am. I’m a letter writer. Most people think one must be published in order to call onesself a writer, but this is not true. To be a writer all you must do is write.

Though I’ve been writing letters for years, lots and lots of letters, I never realized I was a writer until one day when I found myself writing letters in a coffee shop when a very distinguised gentleman entered carrying a briefcase. This man took a seat, spread out his papers and made his way to the counter where he intended to order his coffee, but on the way as he passed me he looked down at my papers and asked if I was a writer too. Was I a writer? Of course I was a writer. I’ve written hundreds and hundreds of letters over the last few years. Without a moments hesitation I told him, “Yes. I am a writer!” and that’s the first time I fully realized it myself.

I love to write and I especially love to write by hand. I write one letter with my first cup of coffee each morning and then later in the day, when I need a break, I’ll write another letter. If after I’ve accomplished a few things I may give myself a treat and write yet another letter or if not that, I may just write a blog post. Yes, I love to write. Maybe you do too.

Many insights, memories, creative ideas and interesting thoughts will come to me as I write just as Mary Beth Janssen stated in her book, but for me, a letter writer, the inspiration for these thoughts comes from my letter friends. You see, when I am about to answer a letter I usually have nothing particular on my mind, but as I read my friend’s letter it ignites my thoughts. Having a great many interesting letter friends who have a great many different backgrounds and interests provides me with a rich array of subjects to ponder and respond to. I never know what topic of conversation will pop up until I begin rereading a letter.

This makes me think of something the Irish American novelist, Flannery O’Connor, once said. She said, “I don’t know what I think until I see what I write”. Well, I don’t know what I’ll be thinking and writing until I reread the letter I’m answering. It’s so fun and exciting. Really. It makes me feel as I did when running for college homecoming queen and being asked questions I had to respond to “on the spot”, the kind of questions Miss America would have posed to her in competition. You think fast and respond and sometimes you’re surprised by what you say, or in letter writing, by what I’ll write.

Letter writing is such a rich intellectual activity, particularly if you are blessed with richly intelligent letter friends as I am. But all human beings are interesting living all sorts of experiences and as they share those experiences we get a glimpse of their lives. We may only have one life to lead but sharing through letters (and other ways too) grants us the pleasure of experiencing different lives and we return to our own with renewed contentment, rekindled memories and yes, some creative thoughts too.

What people are missing if they’re not letter writers. And that’s why I’m an advocate for the beautiful Art of Letter writing. If you are a letter writer as I am please spread the word. Letter writing is a complete treat, a rich physical, social, intellectual and even a great spiritual activity. If you’re not a letter writer yet, what are you waiting for? Write a letter ! You’ll be glad you did.