Thank You. No, Thank YOU!
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Almost exactly two years ago, I received a letter that had such an impact on me that after reading it, and maybe hugging it, I immediately placed in a special keepsake spot in my office. Not for a second did this letter linger in the purgatory pile of mail in our entryway, where things collect before they are sorted/reshuffled/ignored for the next week or more.
No, this letter was destined to be treasured and re-read for years to come.
Why was it so special? Well, my friend Nancy Davis Kho sent it to me as part of a 50th birthday gratitude project in which she wrote 50 people/places/things that had shaped her life so far.
The letter was wonderful in no small part because Nancy is a generous, hilarious friend and a talented writer. But more specifically because she took considerable time and detail to express what she appreciated about me and our friendship. It was so much more than just a “thanks for being a great pal” note.
It’s true she teased me for being that friend who simply cannot shut up at bedtime when we are crashing in the same hotel room. But she also toasted our shared taste in music and (finally) admitted that I was right to nag her about Hamilton. She high-fived my sense of fun and up-for-anything attitude. And she put an incredibly kind emphasis on qualities for which I haven’t always given myself enough credit.
“But when I think of you, most of all I think of a really active listener, and not just to me. So many times I’ve watched you absorb what someone is saying, synthesize it, and reflect it back to them in a way that provides clarity and guidance. That’s not easy, Liz, and you are excellent at it. I’ll be relying on that from now til, um, forever.”
I share these personal details simply to illustrate the kind of intention she poured into my letter. AND SHE WROTE 50 OF THESE! What a gift this was to the people in her life.
But here’s the deal…Nancy swears the experience of writing these letters had an even bigger impact on her own life. So much so that she knew she had to share her process with others. The result is a beautiful book that comes out December 3rd from Running Press. The Thank-You Project is part inspiration, part handbook. In the book, Nancy breaks down the letter-writing steps and makes it seem fun and worthwhile. She shares stories and tips about how to make the project both meaningful and manageable.
I really think we all need this book! And as my gift to you during this season of gratitude…I’m giving away three copies of The Thank-You Project to readers. Here’s how to enter the giveaway:
*If you already subscribe to my newsletter (Yay! Thank you!): Visit my Instagram post about the book and leave a comment.
*If you are not a newsletter subscriber, sign up here! (Yay! Welcome!)
*I will draw 3 winners on December 3rd, 2019, at noon (Central Time).
This contest is sponsored by me! And is not endorsed or associated with Instagram.
Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!
I hope you enjoy time with family and friends and nature and all the good stuff!
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