Why the Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard

We all love our gadgets, the fact that we seem to be only one keystroke away from any other person in the world. But just because technology is everywhere, it doesn’t mean that our old friend, the lowly pen, is dead. You may have heard of its demise, but I can prove that the power of ink, which is to say the power of your own handwriting on the page, is actually far more powerful than you can imagine.

In fact, I have been using the power of my pen on paper to manifest a life that is full of more peace, joy, prosperity, and health than I could have dreamed possible. And it’s such a simple concept. You can do it too, anyone can! It’s called: a thank you note a day.

More Than Manners

Yes, I’m talking about gratitude! It’s not a new idea, of course. Saying thank you was one of your very first lessons in life as a child. And for the most part, I’m sure you do say thank you to someone when they help you with something you’re working on or struggling with.

What I’ve done is take this little gem of goodness and make it into a movement, a mantra {Spread Thanks}, a book, and a way of life. And in doing so, I have proven that the pen is a totally integral part of this gratitude equation. And it’s why I believe the power of the pen is mightier than the keyboard.

Yes, you could send a thank you note by email or text, and that’s a nice thing to do. But it is a fleeting moment in time, glanced at by your friend as they zip onto the next urgent message or click on the next shiny online icon. But there is a much better way. When you actually pick up a pen and write a physical thank you note with your own hand — the power of that gratitude increases exponentially!

Mailbox Magic

Imagine for a moment the joy you feel when you get a piece of actual mail that is addressed in pen. It’s so awesome to know that someone wrote your name and address on an envelope and put a stamp on it. Inside you find a card for your birthday, an invitation, or a note of thanks. It’s just for you! It’s a thrill!

Now imagine that you have the power to create that same amazing feeling in another person any day of the year. Just by mailing them a handwritten thank you note, you are sending them a big boost of happiness endorphins. When they see your note in the mail, just opening it becomes a special event because it hardly ever happens these days. I find that people keep these notes around, they show them to their friends and family, it becomes a lasting blast of good emotions — and you made it happen!

You’ve just witnessed the power of the pen in motion! But wait! There’s more! Every time you send someone a handwritten note, you get that same blast of good emotions as well. Your card creates a lovely ripple effect. Your day improves, their day is happier, and life in general is shinier and more hopeful.

That’s why I have been sending out a handwritten thank you note each day for the past three and a half years and I think I’ll just keep doing it forever. I have learned to be mindful every day and I have yet to run out of someone to thank. There is always goodness going on around you, when you pay attention to it. If you are interested and want to get started with your daily gratitude practice, pick up my book Spread Thanks to learn more about this practice and how it can change your life!

Now it’s your turn. Whom could you thank today? Why not pick up a pen and write someone just a short note? And then watch the power of your pen send the power of gratitude into overdrive. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences below and thank you for spreading thanks in your corner of the world.

Elena Anguita is a change agent, speaker, and author of Spread Thanks! Create Miracles Through The Power of Ink who supports education and passionately believes in the transformative power of gratitude. You can connect with Elena on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and SpreadThanks.com