We are born
To Relate. To Connect. To Belong.
To Spread Hope & Kindness.
We are alive
To Tell our Stories. To Hear their Stories. To Empathize.
To Uplift the Vulnerable & let them know they matter.
But everything we were meant to be or do may never come across the way we initially intended. We’ve become too busy, too distracted, too rigid to practice simple and random acts of kindness in a world that, well, is mostly known for its chaos. We are conditioned to look after “number one” (or number two, three, and four if you are married or with kids or with family or with friends who are like family) and let others do the same.
We are surrounded daily by news of terror, death, injustice, corruption, and deceit.
If you are here reading this, I want to welcome you!
I want to tell you that you are extraordinary even if you feel like an ordinary person who will never make a grandiose discovery or a worthwhile invention. You don’t have to discover another planet or be a CEO of a profitable company to make a difference… but if you are equipped to do such things, more power to you!
One simple letter can be the difference to one person.
You probably just received a letter by someone who encouraged you and inspired you to do the same for someone else. You probably want to see what this is all about and why spend a few minutes to tell someone you care about how much you sincerely care. This is the best gift you can give to a friend or even a random person in the supermarket or the mall. Perhaps, you are like me and you find yourself people-watching while grocery shopping (and chasing my 2-year old around the store) and you wonder, “who are they?” and “what’s their story?” I may never see them again, but how can I make a small impact in their lives? After all, aren’t we all somehow creatures connected to the One Creator?
A word of encouragement is an unexpected way of making someone else’s day, whether you know them well or you don’t. You can break the cycle of dissonance with a smile and a word of affirmation.
The letter chain starts with YOU!
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the HOPE we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
-Hebrews 10:23-25 (NLT)
This is the genesis of a new social experiment.
Verse 23 of this passage has always been the mission of this website, but the inspiration to embark on this experiment has now shifted to the two following verses. We can hold onto our own personal hopes and dreams, but there is something greater when we opt to share our ideas with others without allowing our competitive nature dominate us and keep us from true fellowship.
Join me to FWD: HOPE
If you lack artistry (like me), you can download these free templates and print them at the comfort of your own home.
I highly recommend using white card stock for printing.
You are also welcome to create your own stationery
or use white paper and doodle.
It isn’t about how artsy you can be, but focus on the content of the letter itself.
Nevertheless, whatever you decide to do, don’t forget to encourage the person you’re writing to for them to pay it forward and to share their stories using #writehopeFWD & ensure this is communicated in your letter you are forwarding. This is the only way we can keep track of the chain of letters and stories being shared.
Thank you for your participation!
Let’s #writehopeFWD ❤
Ally Velsor 