Write a Letter to a Stranger
I remember my first day at Black Sheep pretty vividly. I think we all know that feeling on a new job—the moment when you walk into a room of apparent strangers, with the sinking feeling that you (for some reason) simultaneously want/need the approval of every single person in the room AND a chocolate milkshake? No whipped cream, obviously. I’m watching my figure.
Waiting for me on my desk that first day was a note, hand-written, that welcomed me to the team and spoke forward to all the incredible things that I’d have the chance to be part of as a member of the flock. A handwritten letter seems like such a small thing, something that’s been neglected by many as digital has overrun our lives—but it made such an impact on me—a moment of encouragement and positivity for a nervous intern.
And since that moment, I’ve seen that practice flourish. Every week, the team at Black Sheep spends time writing notes to people in the community around the city who are doing cool things, who we miss or just want to spend time with, or even strangers that we’d love to meet for a cup of coffee. It’s important to us that we take the time to sit and write and send these letters, however brief, as we start our week.
The idea that someone would sit down, pull out a piece of paper and think about one particular person the whole way through? That is an art form that spans our speedy lifestyles and ever-connected minds—a practice that encourages the broken to fight harder and spurs the world’s most compassionate to continue their mission.
It’s a habit that is cherished in an organization called The World Needs More Love Letters, a global initiative that uses social media to organize people to write and mail letters to strangers all over the world. Completely mission-driven, the organization even lets the public nominate people in need for love letters. The idea was born as the founder’s mother was faithful to send love letters to her daughter throughout her time in college, and so when she felt herself bottom into depression after college, she did what felt natural—she wrote love letters and left them for strangers to find. Not because she may have the chance to meet them and know them—but simply just to encourage, to love, and to let a stranger know that they are important. She left them out in public for the world to find and to read. Now, the organization is a little more structured, but the idea is nonetheless the same.
To echo her mission, Black Sheep is spending time today writing letters to strangers. Letters that push and shove the reader into realizing their own potential. Letters that remind them that they are talented and bright, intensely needed members of the community. Letters that will serve as a medium for compassion from afar and hopefully prompt the good in people to survive. Then, we’ll leave them around Houston for someone to find. Please, join us.
And so, if you happen to come across a letter. It’s for you.