How A Letter From A Complete Stranger Put Me Back On Track

photo:sarah sherman

I woke up on Wednesday morning to a gloomy London; it had been raining heavily all night and the lightning kept me awake, so I certainly woke up feeling pretty unproductive and uninspired. I went about my day doing chores here and there and then dragged my heels to the gym in the evening.

Emerging from the gym a sweaty mess, I sat down in the little seating area outside to wait for my friend – but something caught my eye. It was a little pink envelope with ‘FOR YOU’ written on the front and sealed with a glittery green star. At first, I thought maybe someone had left their birthday card by accident, but then I knew it would have a person’s name on instead surely. So I opened it rather excitedly, not knowing what I would find inside.

I carefully slid out the little white note and started to read:

“Dear stranger,

Don’t be too hard on yourself. You can only give it your very best every single day and that is enough. With love, The Seasons of Love Project.”

With love, The Seasons of Love Project.”

Not only did I feel lucky to find this note before anyone else, but more importantly it made me feel a lot better about the day.

I am a great believer of these words of wisdom, but it is very easy to forget your own advice sometimes! It was a nice little reminder to me to give 100% every day, and if that’s not good enough then that’s just tough! I know people who do their best at work or in other areas and give it their all but are still told it’s not good enough. I tell them that they can only do their best and shouldn’t worry or shouldn’t put any extra pressure on themselves.

When I got home I researched about this project. I traced it back to a woman called Alice, a 30-year-old living in London who was inspired after watching the musical, Rent. Afterwards, she asked herself: “What would a year look like if we measured it in moments of love instead of worries, stress, sorrows and struggles? What would a year be like if we committed ourselves to see more love, give more love and be more in love?”

So from the first of January she had a light bulb moment and decided to leave little notes of love and words of wisdom scattered around London. She hopes that it will create a domino effect and people will also pass on the love in what can be a lonely city.

Next time you’re in London, look out for these special envelopes -maybe even make your own – I’m definitely considering it!

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