Encouraging Words

I don't really know what the "blog norms" are, and I'm not sure if posting two days in a row is an unspoken violation of some sort, but I just can't help it. I love to write! Good thing too, because English majors sure do a lot of that :)

By the way, I was shocked by the positive feedback I got from my first post! Thank you to everyone who read it and gave their appreciation! Words of encouragement of that nature are very dear to my heart. And with that, I would like to smoothly transition into my desired topic..... handwritten letters and other keepsakes.

Old-fashioned correspondence simply gives me so much happiness. I currently have at least three different types of stationary in my possession and envelopes in a variety of colors. My address book leans right up against my thesaurus on my desk and I always love to add new acquaintances to its pages.

I have kept nearly every note and letter and birthday card that I have ever received. No joke. I find them everywhere. In fact, my room itself is a ram-shamble of assorted memorabilia as I have pictures plastered all over the walls, my favorite books stacked in my bookshelf (with notes written in the margins, of course), a mini Christmas tree that I have neglected to take off my desk, and collections of papers lying around everywhere in neat but unorganized piles. Anyone that knows me well would say that I am a deeply sentimental person, and that is completely true.

This brings me to my memory box - something I cherish greatly. It contains some of the best letters of encouragement I have ever received and whenever I am dwelling in doubt, indecision, or am simply trying to fight off loneliness, I take it down from its place on my bookshelf and begin to rifle through its contents. The box itself is some cheap thing I got at Walmart, but with a little love and care, a lot of Mod Podge (something akin to glue for you crafting newbies), and tons of pictures from old magazines, I turned it into a delightful thing to look at. I don't remember exactly when I made it, but I think it was a few years ago at least. At the time I put a little inscription on the cover and today I actually read it for the first time in a very long time:

"Someday I will travel. I'm not quite sure where yet, but I know that I will. Hopefully I will make it to England and perhaps even live there for a while and maybe even write a book - a story that tells of adventure and mystery and true love. Nothing like the love stories of today, but of gentlemen and ladies; not necessarily in fortune but in manners and chivalry and dignity. Maybe someday I will find my own Prince Charming. I wonder where I will find him? Will it be here in the United States? In California? Or it could happen in England or Ireland or Scotland or Wales if I go to Oxford or Cambridge for a semester. I could meet him in a coffee shop or bookstore and it will be enchanting. We could discuss our favorite books and films and then we might exchange information just because we admire each other so fondly already. But whatever happens and wherever I go, I know that God will be with me - I may not always realize it, but it's true. He knows what's best for me and my life is fully in His hands. I will also have this box - for this box is special. It contains precious memories and words of timeless encouragement. Whenever I can't trust my own wandering heart at least I will have this to turn to."

I had to smile when I read this. Certainly a lot has happened in my life since I wrote those words at fifteen or sixteen years of age, but no matter what hardships get thrown at me in the next few years, I know that there will always be a little part of me that still wants to meet my "Prince Charming" in a coffee shop somewhere in England. However silly that may sound.

That inscription and the letters that I have kept have given me so much encouragement over the last few years; often at times when I thought that none could be found anywhere else. When this idea occurred to me this afternoon, I told myself "Wait a second, you have a blog now! There could be a slight chance that this little story could brighten someone's day, so you should share it." So if that person is you, I hope that you find encouragement today. I hope that you allow yourself to take some "you time" and find a sense of peace by looking through some old photo albums or calling up a friend just to chat or even simply watching an episode of your favorite childhood cartoon (mine is a toss-up between Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, and Scooby Doo :D). In a world where there's so much bad, I hope that you find a glimmer of pure innocence today :). Even if just one person gets a smile out of this post, I will consider it to be a success. Have a great rest of your day everyone. God Bless.

Sincerely,
Olivia