Letters

Hello,

I come from a military family. My father was an active duty soldier, and my Mother ran the canteens that fed all the services. Both of Celtic backgrounds, they met in Germany. I was born in Asia in the middle of a war. When my family left the military we lived in London and became part of the hospitality profession - restaurants, pubs, accommodation, reception centres, personalised receptions.

Wherever we were, we raised money all year. Then at Christmas Dad and I would go to the biggest toy warehouse there was. Every year I was given one instruction - “fill these big bins with all the toys you would like to get, but remember this, life isn’t just about you. Everything we get today we are going to give away to boys and girls who don’t have Mums & Dads to buy them anything, ok?” My enthusiasm was boundless!

It was always the best day of my year. We’d get home and make a giant display of all the things we’d bought so that everyone who’d helped us fundraise could see the fruit of their generosity. Then we would fill a van with everything we’d bought and drive around London to charities and orphanages and deliver the toys. I can still see the tears in Dads eyes as he handed over the toys to the staff. I didn’t really understand what we were doing until I was much older, but I knew it was good.

from Me.

What does this ‘letter’ tell you about my Father?

For me, and yes I was close to him, however, his letter told me he knew what it was to serve, to sacrifice, to recognise others, to give generously. It told me that he put his beliefs into action, as a lifestyle, consistently and that he knew he was one of many, but that ‘one’ was a vital part of the whole.

The Quill is about valuing and enriching life, yours and others. Recognising Gods handprint, his nature in a life. Its a challenge to realise that the way you live, how you say what you say, how you respond to circumstances and the people you encounter writes a letter that people read - in real time. The cow of the Quill is to encourage you to look at your whats your heart reflects in your ‘Life Letter’

It’s a personal initiative - an initiative being: the first move in a series of actions, a willingness to act on, to do something. To take responsibility towards improving.

The Quill is also about what impacts lives and how it shapes people. Realising you are unique and so are others, many of whom will have Life Letters that are very different from yours. Looking beyond your immediate impressions. Listening to what you hear and seeing what you look at. Taking time to have conversations, asking real questions and respecting the answers you’re given.

It’s also about realising that the world is full of ‘Christmas toys’, gifts that you are given and gifts you can give all year. Simple things that can change lives.

Your life letter can give gifts of attention, respect, taking time, encouraging, being grateful, noticing details and the small things in life.

Thinking about others first rather than yourself, random acts of kindness and consideration. Appreciating those who quietly serve communities that go daily unnoticed

Saying thank you and please, letting someone go in front of you - even if you're driving. Putting your phone on silent and putting it away, not on the table or in your hand, while you're with people.

What letters have been written for you? How does your letter read to a stranger? What ‘letters’ can you write? Words of praise and encouragement, postcards quietly placed to be discovered, smiles and affirming nods. A sincere handshake. Going beyond a simple ‘thanks’.

Taking the time to think about, pray for, reach out, remember.

Living a life that can be read by all, because you are a unique letter written by God.

Write down the surprises, revelations and the things that have enriched your life as people have read your letter.

Give yourself the gift of a written account of the impact they’ve had on you.

Take the Quill 6 week challenge

In your Quill journal write a letter to yourself. In that letter agree with God to giving at least one gift, that we talked about earlier, and writing one “letter” for different people every week for six weeks.

Keep them simple, giving and encouraging. At the end of the six weeks look back on your experience and write a letter to yourself. Write about who God sent across your path. The things that impacted you. The things that challenged or even changed you.

Finally, write a letter to God thanking him for the gift of the six weeks and what its meant to you.

or

The Quill in action challenge.

Choose a simple mug for yourself and one for someone else and arrange to share a cuppa, be it a take away on a beach walk or a park bench, a mini coffee picnic, or a actual visit where you can have quality Quill time. Write an actual letter to someone to encourage, inspire, or simply thank them. Or get together with some friends and practice your ‘gift giving’.

Writing letters, whatever their form can change lives, including your own.

Share your stories, listen to others, write the letters, give the gifts.

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Quill journals, cards, mugs and tote bags are available in the Mahaia market.