An Impasta

Dear Stranger,

This is my sixth attempt. My wastebasket is starting to become full, and I fear the trees will soon start a mutiny. Anyways, have you looked at the stars lately? I imagine if everyone looked at the stars every night, many people would live differently. They are a constant reminder that I'm not the only one in the world. I feel as if I am part of something larger and it makes my own anger, resentment, and my petty problems so insignificant. Because I know that when I look up at the universe, billions of people see exactly the same thing I do. I guess that is one of the only constants throughout the entire world. Just that helps me to forgive, love, and put others first. I may not always succeed but I tried. My friend told me once that the only person I should try to be better than was the person I was the day before. That's why I love space so much. Nothing brings greater humility.

- To infinity and beyond.

Ps: What do you call a fake noodle?

An Impasta :)

Adventure Time

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Beloved Stranger

Beloved Stranger.

I just love that word. Beloved. It sounds so poetic. I've always been fascinated by the English language. My own language is poetic in its own way, but with the English language I can play with the words in another way. Like beloved. We have our own version of that word, but it's not the same. Not at all.

Most people don't take time to reflect on things. But my dear stranger, somehow I imagine you do. I imagine that you think a lot. I know I do. And maybe I'm just hoping for someone else to do it too.

Life is an amazing thing. It's a movie and a book, a never ending story about our lives. We're all the main character in our own story, but sometimes we forget that fact. We are so busy fulfilling the part of being the best friend to someone else's story that we forget to be the main character in our own.

My dearest stranger, I want to remind you that you are the main character in your own story. That you are amazing and deserve the best, no matter what anyone else tells you. You are strong and unique, no one can ever replace you, and I admire you greatly. Make sure you make this year your best year ever. Do the crazy things you've dreamt of doing but never really dared to. Dance in the rain, laugh a lot and enjoy life.

And I will try to do the same. We deserve this, my dear stranger. Let's make this our year. No self-inflicted restrictions, no what ifs, no second guessing ourselves. We are amazing, and we can do anything we set our minds to. So let's start now.

I wish you all the best.

Love,

Anonymous

Frequently Asked Questions

I don't quite get it. What is the point of this project? 

• Letters from Strangers is a collection of stories. In an age of internet technology, many people miss out on the intimacy of a hand written letter. I strive to spread compassion through the idea of shared humanity between people of all walks of life, and to reduce loneliness by providing a forum for honest expression that is safe and open to everyone. I try to connect human beings, and to make this world of strangers seem a little less strange. I seek to share insight, love, and creativity between people who have never met.

How does it work? 

• You send me a letter written anonymously to a stranger, and an empty envelope that is stamped and self addressed. You get an anonymous letter from someone else sent back to you. I also scan my favorites and put them online for everyone to read.

Where do I mail my letter? 

• Letters From Strangers
  P.O. Box 2705
  Winchester, VA 22604

 What should I write about? 

• Tell us your story. Use a writing prompt. Send in some fiction, poetry, philosophy, or art. Vent, or share the secrets that you can't share with anyone else. Write whatever feels right.

Do I have to send a self-addressed envelope? 

• Nope. It's fine if you don't want to receive one in return.

How can I get published on the blog? 

• Stand out. Share your story. Be unique, well written, and visually pleasing. Pen scans better than pencil does.

Is there any way to keep in touch with the person who wrote to me?

•  In order to protect the anonymity of volunteers, I do not store any personal information.

Can I post these images elsewhere? 

• Sure, just please provide a link back to my blog so they know where the letter came from.

How else can I help? 

• Get the word out there. Like Letters From Strangers on Facebook. Share letters with friends, or on other social media like Google+, Twitter, Stumble Upon, Tumblr, Pinterest, your personal blog, etc. If you're feeling ambitious, write a letter to a stranger and leave it in your community.

Today would have been my Dad's 54th birthday.

June 19, 2013

Dear friend,

Today would have been my Dad's 54th birthday. The last one he was alive to celebrate was his 51st, at which point he had a mental age of about 12. I don't mean he was in touch with his inner child so much as he had spent the last nine months aging backwards at an accelerating pace from a brain tumor. We didn't yet have to spoon-feed him, but we sure couldn't let him out on his own, either. He loved his birthday pie, which was filled with strawberries and extra love. But maybe in this state he was privy to something we weren't, maybe was more in touch with his inner child than I give him credit for. He spent the last months of his life laughing, loving, living and not just surviving. When people brought gifts or hugs, he accepted gratefully without any of the "Oh-no-you-shouldn't have" bullshit adults have been trained into. He took naps and went potty as he pleased. The part of his brain responsible for anxiety was largely collateral damage now, and frankly he was better for it until the reason killed him.

I'm writing you this letter because I wanted to share a story with a stranger, but you're receiving it for a different reason. You're receiving it because you deserve a bright spot in your day. I don't know why, but you do. Take a moment and consider what you've done or who you've been that deserves an award that no one has recognized you for. Below is your award for you to cut out and keep with you. I hope it reminds you that you are special for the you that you bring to the world.

But the award comes with one price. Pass on an act of kindness. It can be for a stranger, a friend, or a familiar stranger. It can be another letter or a quarter in someone's parking meter. Whatever it is, I hope it negates a little piece of anxiety in your brain.

Who I Am Makes A Difference

Love always,

Me

Today's Haul

I was so happy to go to the post office and find all of these waiting for me.

Calling All Strangers

Help get the word out about Letters From Strangers, and participate in a random act of kindness.

Create an anonymous letter and leave it in your community.

It's a great summer writing exercise for those of you on vacation from school, and a good remedy for writer's block. I'll be leaving a few of mine around town at parks, libraries and used book stores, coffee shops, campus, and more. Don't forget to write LettersFromStrangers.com on it somewhere so they can come back and comment. Brighten a stranger's day, and mine. :)