I’ve always verbally told people how I feel or observe things. I’m very free with admiration and compliments, even for strangers, and I’m also okay with letting someone know I disagree or don’t like something, though I can be more shy in those situations, depending on what the circumstances are. But it’s only within the last few years that I’ve started writing letters or emails in response to things that really matter to me.
I’ve petitioned, pleaded, and praised, but I don’t know, or don’t remember, if I’ve ever actually had a reply. Perhaps this is the reason I still haven’t gathered the courage to write Josh Groban and tell him how much his voice inspires me and makes me feel. What difference would my words make in a sea of literally millions of comments, emails, letters, and texts? And all over the blogosphere people close their feedback sections because comments are either too numerous or not meaningful enough to them.
But I got to thinking. If I were someone doing something amazing, or even not so amazing and perhaps wrong, I would — I am sure of it — totally appreciate someone’s feedback, even if they were the 700th person to express how they feel.
Maybe I’m having a bad day and am wondering, even at the height of my popularity, if this is really worth my effort. Or maybe I’m promoting health yet knowingly including MSG in my foodstuffs. Maybe I’m testing on animals when I promote a contrary image. Maybe I’m doing something wonderful but that I consider small. And maybe one particular day, when I’m feeling crappy or discouraged or particularly vulnerable and subconsciously ready for and open to change, someone writes how they feel. Maybe that particular day I am encouraged and I work harder. Or I decide to stop compromising my morals and the health of others. Or maybe I realize that what I’m doing isn’t so small and insignificant at all.
As cliché as it sounds, all it takes is one voice.
Yesterday I posted about Pete Kadens, an entrepreneur in Chicago who invited a homeless man into his car to get out of the rain…and eventually off the streets altogether. I was so moved by the story (see at Woohoo! Report) that I wrote Pete a letter yesterday morning, which was part of my post. You can read it here.
Below is his response.
Steph-
I hope you don’t mind but I have copied some of my colleagues from
Streetwise on this letter. I eliminated your last name at the end to protect
your identity.I’ve received thousands of letters throughout this process…and I want
to tell you that your letter really touched me. The reason it touched me
is because it illustrated that one small move to help one person can make a
world of difference. I am inspired by your story and your willingness to
confront your thoughts and feelings.This has been the most unbelievably rewarding experience of my life. I
was a good basketball player growing up and when my team went to the state
semifinals one year in high school I had the honor of entering the stadium to
over 6,000 screaming fans-it was truly “euphoric”. I always figured that I
would replicate that sense of “euphoria” in my career when I sold a company or
took a company public…but I was wrong. I found it in an unusual place, at any
unusual time, and by working with a community of people to help an unusual man
who was all but forgotten by society. The far reaching impact of this
story speaks to two things: 1) You CAN make a difference 2) Giving is
exceptional.I REFUSED to believe people that told me that “No good deed goes
unpunished” after this story broke. I rephrased this saying and prefer to
think that “In doing no good deed you only punish yourself”.I’m glad this story helped you and I REALLY hope that this will continue
to motivate both you and I for years to come to helps others less fortunate
than ourselves.All the best, Pete
Steph – you are one of the most, if not the, most original voices I read. Thank you for posting this follow-up. These are the sorts of interactions that matter. Now, and in the far, far future, this will be a pointer that will easily illustrate what makes us inordinately human. Thanks.
Betsy: Wow! That was fast. I just posted this!
And whoa, thanks for the super *awesome* compliment. I feel really great!
LOL, this is kind of what I was talking about – letting people know what you think and how you feel…it’s made a difference for me! I feel like framing it!
You are so right about the sorts of interactions that matter. In fact, maybe that’s why I started writing how I feel…reaching out for something more meaningful in my life, something deeper, if not only to restore faith in humanity (which was damaged at a job I had) but also to try and live a more examined and social life.
In that case, *thank you.*
Hey ,that’s awesome! Pete wrote you back.
And not just a form letter…but a REAL letter!
Good for you!
I know! Awesome, huh? Yeah, it was totally not a form letter. I feel great about it!
That’s great. So cool.
I wrote a letter to Cory Doctorow telling him I enjoyed his latest novel and he emailed back the next day. I did it just so he knew as a writer someone dug his writing. It was pretty cool he wrote back. He even left a comment on my blog.
WHOA! He left a comment on your blog?! How cool is that?? This is awesome! Thanks for sharing; it makes it all the more convincing that each of us matters when we have something to say!
I *knew* that would happen, because the way you write, the reader knows you are being honest and speaking from your heart.
I’ll bet Josh will write back to you as well.
(@strugglingwriter – very cool indeed)
Brett: You think, so, eh? I’m not ready yet, but when I do write him, I’ll let you know!
Steph!!!!!
Write to Josh!!!
Right now!
Do you want Brett to tell you how Bossy I can be?
Seriously, what an awesome letter, the one you wrote him and the response. I am really touched. And the reason is it came totally from your heart.
Steph!!!!!
Write to Josh!!!
Right now!
Do you want Brett to tell you how Bossy I can be?
Seriously, what an awesome letter, the one you wrote him and the response. I am really touched. And the reason is it came totally from your heart.
Steph!!!!!
Write to Josh!!!
Right now!
Do you want Brett to tell you how Bossy I can be?
Seriously, what an awesome letter, the one you wrote him and the response. I am really touched. And the reason is it came totally from your heart.
Wendi,
Uh oh! I’ve never been spanked by you! Yet, anyway.
Um, okay! I mean, I will. I promise. I’m just letting it percolate. I have no idea what to say yet!!
Thanks for pushing me. You’re awesome.
Oboy…is Wendi spanking Steph?
Can I watch?
This is awesome, and just goes to show what writing and speaking from heart can accomplish.
In a way, I had a similar experience today. It wasn’t to tell someone how much I appreciated what they were doing (but I did include that) – it was me looking for something from them – for a thing I’ll going on my blog probably in early 2009. I wasn’t really too confident I would get a reply at all – the person I was sending an email off to is what I would call semi-famous. Why would she respond to me? I sent the email about a month ago, and had essentially forgotten about it. Then, today – I received a reply – from her – not an assistant. Apologizing for the lengthy delay – and that, yes, we could do this “thing” I had planned.
So, I say, like Wendi has said – go for it with Josh Groban – what’s the worst thing that can happen?
FRIAR!!!
Lance: Ooh, I’m curious!
I guess the thing to remember is that we are all human beings, no matter our status or what we’ve accomplished. We are speaking from one heart to another. There’s no reason, really, to assume the other heart won’t respond or be touched, even if they’re busy.
You’re right. The worst that could happen is nothing I can’t recover from.
Wendi is right. Write to Josh immediately! It’s awesome that you got a letter back from Pete. Brett is right as well, the way you write, the reader knows you mean every word.
Thanks, Sean. It means a lot coming from you.