Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Random Acts of Kindness

A beautiful website called HelpOthers allows people to write in about random acts of kindness they have recieved or given. It is truly inspiring and uplifiting to read. Our favourite story is below. It really hit home with what we are trying to do with PLL.

Even A Simple Act Can Take Your Breath Away

"A little over a year ago, a good friend of my mom's passed away, and it was only when I tried to reach her to let her know of my mom's passing that I was told this sad news.

My mom's friend was a big part of my childhood and I remember her fondly. I hadn't spoken with her in many years, but I knew I was still her "Sunshine." My mom's friend had a sister, whom I only met as a child, but to whom I felt an instant connection. I knew immediately that I wanted to reach out to the sister. We have corresponded a few times during this last year, and her kind words and caring thoughts have brought much comfort to me in my own time of need.

On September 7, 2010, the day before the first year anniversary of my mom's death, I received a card from this woman, with a quote by Joseph Norris. It read, "Do a deed of simple kindness; though its end you may not see, it may reach, like widening ripples, down a long eternity." The attached letter brought tears of joy to my eyes. When I read the letter, I saw how my touch of "kindness" positively impacted her during what had been a difficult year with the loss of her dear sister, and I physically felt the reward of what sharing "kindness" with another truly means. I was speechless and my breath was taken away.  I will cherish this letter forever. I have always thought of myself as a "kind" person, and it is something I am very proud of.

I ask everyone reading this to please "Practice Random Acts of Kindness" every day. Smile at and say hello to everyone you see today. Take that extra minute to help someone today. Reach out to someone in need today, even if you don't know what to do or what to say. The person in need will appreciate your sincerity, I promise you. Mother Theresa said, "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." Barbara De Angelis said, "Acts of love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the receiver and they bless you, the giver." Just a simple "thinking of you" can brighten someone's day. I know this to be true. The reward can simply make you smile or bring tears to your eyes. It can even render you speechless, and it can most definitely take your breath away.

I would like to say thank you to my new friend, the woman who sent me the Joseph Norris quote. You have been a comfort in my life during this past year and the "kindness" you have showed me has meant so much at a time when I have needed it most. I will always feel connected to you in this unique and special way we share. Your letter relieved some of the sadness I was feeling at that moment and brightened the end of a difficult first year. Sharing with you has brought something to light that I have always known in my heart but want to share, and that is. . . . . . . . .

I know my mom lives on in me. I feel her when I smile at and say hello to everyone I see. I feel her when I reach out to someone in need. I feel her when I look at my children because I know she looked at my brother and me the same way. I feel her when I accept and appreciate another for who they are. I feel her when I breathe, because if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here. I feel her when I sleep, because I know she is there, soothing my tired soul. My mom lives on in me because I am a part of her. Thank you, Mom, for giving me the gift of your "kind" heart. I miss you. I love you."

♡ PLL

OPTIMISM IS KEY



♡ PLL

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Animals of Christmas!

Oh gosh, this is amazing !



♡ PLL

Happy Holidays from Paper Letters of Love !!

Click here to see our holiday greeting by Elf Yourself :)

♡ PLL

You ARE fortunate ♡


♡ PLL

Christmas Love!

It is Paper Letter of Love's first holidays, and to celebrate we are sending out little homemade holiday notes to everyone we have already sent a PLL to.. yes... everyone!

The first batch is leaving tomorrow, heading to Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, Brazil, Germany and the UK!



We hope all travels safely.

Wishing everyone a very happy and safe holiday!

♡ PLL

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Dear Recovering Soldier...

Our wonderful team member in North Carolina has sent some Paper Letters of Love to recovering soldiers via the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC.


Gifts to Army
US Army website that provides the American public with information on methods by which citizens, organizations, and corporations can donate cash or goods and services to benefit Soldiers and their Families.(http://giftstoarmy.army.mil/)

Holiday Mail for Heroes
From now until December 10th you are invited to send holiday cards to our American service members, their families, and veterans all over the world.

Anyone can send a card and you can send as many as you would like! Please send all cards to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD
20791-5456


Read more here

Happy Holidays everyone!

♡ PLL

Monday, November 29, 2010

What will be the most special thing to you this Christmas?

Often, it is the smallest, simplest and most personal things that matter the most. 


The act of kindness you don't expect. 

The hug that brings you closer together when you've felt apart. 

A smile that says you are loved and cared for - despite everything.


Christmas is empty when you have nothing. Please, give generously. 


♡ PLL

Monday, November 15, 2010

We're on Facebook!

Some of our regular visitors will notice the pretty little thumbs-up "like" button over on the right hand side bar ...

Yes, we are on Facebook. Why? Because we want to reach out to more people. We want to be able to share the love we have with the world, and what better way to do this than by the simple click of a "like" button?

Hopefully, as we grow, people will post their stories and pictures on our page. This way people can have a better understanding of what we are doing.

So please, click "like" and become a fan. See you there!

♡ PLL

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Don't Forget!

Sometimes we receive a request for Paper Letters of Love, and people have forgotten to let us know the address of where to send it to! We endeavor to reply to your emails within 48 hours of receipt, so if you send us anything, please check your email within a few days to make sure there wasn't anything we needed to ask you!

All we need to send you or your loved one a Paper Letter Of Love is:

  • Name of recipient
  • Postal address of recipient (and yes, this can be ANYWHERE in the world!)
  • Would you like to remain anonymous? If we aren't advised either way, we will send anonymously because the most important thing is that your loved one receives their Paper Letter of Love...
  • Why do they need a Paper Letter of Love? This is so we can tailor make it for them, perhaps they are needing guidance, or motivation, or some extra love, or a boost of energy...
  • Is there anything special you would like written? We will fill all your requests as best we can

Thanks for everyone who has been a part of our project, we look forward to hearing from you soon!

♡ PLL

Friday, November 12, 2010

It's the little things that inspire us to keep going...

We recieved a beautiful email from Alison today, and we would like to give her a big THANK YOU from the team here at PLL. It is people like you that inspire us to keep going, and never give up.

"i just wanted to say what you do is awesome. im seriously ill and bedridden and my soulmate, my moter died when i was 19. life can seem hard sometimes. but to know there are people like myself out there ho just aim to love, is heartening. so keep it up.
much love"

God Bless you, Alison

♡ PLL

Thursday, October 21, 2010

"Is there any way you can help me cheer this wonderful lady up?"

"I have someone that really needs cheering up and unfortunately she’s suffering from a disease that nobody’s found a cure for. She’s my grandma. She’s one of most meaningful people in my life and I feel so helpless whenever I try to brighten her spirits. I think she’s at a point where she’s given up hope and knows she will eventually die with the disease. Is there any way you can help me cheer this wonderful lady up?" - Megan, MD

Our team member in North Carolina wanted to make this letter a little more personalised for Megan, and asked her for any little anecdotes they may have between each other. Megan told PLL that her grandma calls her "Pooh Bear" and is devotely religious. She musters most of her strength from God, but even that is faltering at this time.

North Carolina got to work and sent out an envelope within a few days. 5 days later, PLL got an email that brought us all to tears

"My grandmother received her lovely package and cried when she opened it. It was the most thoughtful, selfless thing she’s received that’s given her the most joy, in the seven years she’s had her disease. I can’t thank you enough!

Thank you again for making this very special person realize how special she really is!"

This is all PLL want to achieve, to send someone joy and happiness in something as simple as an envelope. It is always the thought that counts, and we are so blessed that Megan contacted us for some special mail... some Paper Letters of Love.


♡ PLL

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Say NO to hate, and wear purple on Wednesday


Thousands of people are wearing purple today to honour the young lives that have been lost due to hate. Wednesday October 20 has been designated as Spirit Day, to remind and bring to light the suicides due to hate against gay's.


In Australia, this has already occured, and most, if not all, of our Australian team members friends and family wore purple in one way or another. A shirt, a ribbon, a flower in your hair, a bracelet, nail polish... anything! Wear purple, and say NO to hate.

 


The idea was started by a Canadian Teenager and has spread worldwide (Join the Facebook event). One person. Remember that one person can make a difference; one person can make a change. Every little thing that you do can and will affect others.

So stand up, be strong, and be proud of who you are and what you have to offer the world.

Read more here


To the hundreds of thousands of LGBT youth who face unimaginable pressure, hatred, and intolerance: there is a vast community of people who support you, and we are just some of them. Stay strong. Your struggle is beautiful.


♡ PLL

Monday, October 18, 2010

Three little words can change someone's life

Don't be afraid to tell anyone, and tell them every chance you can! Just take a lesson from Hoops and YoYo  



♡ PLL

With ♡ from Texas

This week we have mail travelling from PLL in Texas to Seattle (for a Phillipino reader), Tennesse, Virginia, New York, and even Texas!

 



The PLL team is located all over the world - no matter where you are, if you have an address we can post to, we will post it. Just ask!

♡ PLL

Thursday, October 14, 2010

With ♡ from North Carolina

On Friday, the first batch is leaving from North Carolina and heading to Ontario, Canada, Illinois, Maryland and Arizona !

 


Keep sending your mail, and please let your friends and loved ones know! Just one smile can brighten someone's darkest day.


♡ PLL

With ♡ from Australia

Today we are sending our first larger batch out from Australia! Mail is going to Western Australia, Germany and Brazil!

Thanks again to everyone for your emails - you are all such lovely to people to think of your loved ones.

 

♡ PLL

But I need your letters, more often than once

Twitter has connected the Paper Letters of Love project with Letters of Love - A pen pal support group for people suffering from depression, eating disorders, self injury and more.

Letters of Love are an organisation that began in a very similar way to PLL. They have a blog and a newsletter, and can mail you regularly.

Such a wonderful idea - and so beautifully planned out. Even if you do not need them, please know there are people out there that do. So spread the word, you may only reach one person - but you could change that person's life.

 PLL

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Day 2 of Paper Letters Of Love

The past few days have all been about getting our name out there. We are not making any money from this, and therefore we are relying heavily on YOU to tell the people you know, or to request a letter from us.

This morning, the most wondreous thing happened! Sophia Bush, who plays Brooke on One Tree Hill, retweeted the blog link!


PLL said that if we can even make one person smile, we would be happy... Sophia certainly made all of us smile! And within moment we had an email for our first request via this blog, from Germany!

Thanks to all our subscribers and visitors, don't forget to tell your friends! :)

♡ PLL

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

This is the beginning. . .

This package was a "Forever Package". When it was sent it had origami hearts, quotes about love, a feather boa and some mix CD's in it. The idea was that she took out the CD's and the boa, and added her own quotes to it whenever she wanted. If she was ever down, or simply looking for some inspiration, she could pull one out at random and brighten her day.


The reaction to this package was where the idea for Paper Letters of Love was born:

"I cannot believe this!!! You're the bestest!!! Omg it made my week! Lol
5:52 AM Sep 24th

mom says I'm on cloud 9
5:45 AM Sep 24th

Omgomgomg my package is here!!!
5:44 AM Sep 24th"

To be able to make somebody so happy, ecstatic almost, with just a box and some paper... it really is incredible. And it really makes you see that it is the thought that counts. 

Slowly, an idea formed. . . somehow we could be contacted and we could then send an envelope with quotes, or a letter, or origami, or anything that could fit in the envelope, and post it! People could request for themselves, or for friends. They could be sent to people for so many different reasons, to lift hope, restore faith in friendship, help you be strong through a difficult time. . . and so many more.

So here we are! Any request, any need, we will do anything and all we can to fulfill. To make you smile. To make your friends smile. To make your family smile. 

Perhaps its just a special quote between you and the recipient, perhaps you don't know what you want sent to them other than "happiness", perhaps it is a special song. Whatever it is, email us and we will do the rest paperlettersoflove@gmail.com You can even stay anonymous, if you like 

If you know of anyone that needs an extra burst of love and sunshine in their lives, send us a message! We will send an anonymous letter filled with happiness 

 PLL