Hope is in the Cards

My goal last week was to send 70 personal messages of Hope.

I made a list at the beginning of the week of people I was thankful for and tried to send each a short note or card.

I only got 15 out — but what a success anyway! The cards resulted in warm phone calls, emails, and some nice heartfelt moments.

Also, as a complete surprise, people I hadn’t spoken to in DECADES sent me ‘hope cards’ and notes. It was a wonderful and crazy week.

This week? Pushing to close some sponsorships for the WALL OF HOPE tour!

Fingers crossed….

Yesterday I only accomplished three tiny actions directly related to spreading HOPE (the goal was 10). However, the incredible energy and enthusiasm those three brought me was unquestionable.

I sent a card and a photo to my grandmother, who recently had to visit the hospital. I rarely see her, but she has always been unconditionally loving and supportive to me, and so many people in our family.

Just the thought of her reading the short note I sent, along with the funny picture of my new dog, made me happy. But more importantly, she will KNOW and FEEL and SEE for herself that she is the one who is being thought about and loved. What a great gift to give her — and myself. That’s what this whole things is about.

PLUS, I received a HOPE card in the mail from a long lost high school friend — how inspiring to get reconnected with HOPE as the reason.

And lastly, the AMAZING folks at Current catalog shared some ideas on how they might get behind the HOPE IS IN THE CARDS movement.

WOW. If you practice HOPE, you get HOPE. What a concept.

Last night I made a list of folks I need to thank for things. I stopped when I had 70 — and I could have kept on going.

It was incredibly uplifting, and humbling.

So, this week I’m going to try to put my feelings into action and thank these 70 people. In writing.

I’ll let you know how it goes….

Have you heard of an uplifting story or done something yourself to spread HOPE?

Let us know! We’d love to send you some HOPE cards (and even mail some ourselves) to say THANK YOU.

Just send an email to:

info@HopeIsInTheCards and we’ll connect with you.

Let’s make this the year we get HOPE into the hands of everyone!

I was at Fresh N Easy the other day and they had a bottle of wine called OneHope!

I had to try it — I am a HOPE fan after all. Yum and they donate 50% of their profits to help things like

It may not be a card, but it something we can sure raise a glass to. THANKS OneHope!

Here’s where you can check out what they’re doing: www.onehopewine.com

Spread the HOPE!

Was introduced by a friend of mine to the owner (I think) of Paradise Pens. Wow. TONS of amazing writing instruments.

I went to their website and even found a long-needed refill for my own favorite pen that’s been idle for ages!

Next step – finding a cool way to connect them with Hope Is In The Cards.

No matter what though, PLEASE check them out at www.paradisepens.com and say that Russ from Hope Is In The Cards sent you!

How about applying your handwriting to a HOPE card?!

Practice your penmanship and write the word HOPE on the back of anything you mail — a card, letter, even a bill.

It all gets us one step closer to sending 300 million positive, upbeat messages across America.

Wow — it’s already the middle of the month.

Working on new stuff for 2010 — Wall of Hope tour, Week Of Hope 2010, and more.

Hang tight for new news soon!

Spin.

In your office chair. In the elevator when no one else is in there. Outside.

Nothing so easy can make you feel so 8 years old again. And when you were 8, anything was possible.

It still is.

Have a happy, hopeful New Year.

Go Outside.

It doesn’t matter where you live or work. There is something inspiring outside — even if it’s just a weed in a crack on the side of the road.

Think about it – somehow with nothing but rain and sunshine and the ickiest bits of dust and dirt, that weed broke through concrete!

If a helpless, crushable little plant can do it, so can we.