Ever since I was a young girl, I sought out opportunities to connect with people around the globe. I give credit to my uncle for purchasing a subscription to National Geographic World when I was a child. It exposed me to a world outside the concrete city blocks of Philadelphia. In my freshman year of high school, I pounced on the opportunity to sign up for a pen pal exchange. As I recall you could select a set number of countries to connect with fellow pen pals from across the globe, I chose Ireland and France. There was such an air of international sophistication about the entire process, at least, that is what my teenage self perceived. I impatiently waited a week or so for a letter containing the names and address of my pen pals; yes, this was when the internet was in its infancy. Over the course of my high school years, I exchanged a dozen letters or so with the pen pals. I may still have one or two of them tucked away in a photo album.
Flash forward to May 2020 and technology has revolutionized how we communicate, how we socialize. Despite such leaps, a viral pandemic has rearranged our way of life, challenging how we go forward in everyday interactions. This makes simple, often overlooked connections even more important these days.
If you follow this blog, you can probably guess where I’m going with this post today.
As many continue to be quarantined in their cities or towns, I want to share a great idea for renewing a connection with humanity and the world outside of your town. It will only cost you time and a stamp or two.
Postcrossing is a project with a simple goal of allowing people to send and receive postcards from all over the world. It is free to join and begin sending and receiving postcards. In a short time, you will turn your bill/bulkbox to a proper mailbox filled with handwritten notes addressed to you from new friends across the globe or from the state next to yours. In case you’re wondering, I joined in 2011, my mailbox has not looked the same since. Well, let’s be honest. My mailbox is a wonder, I never know what it will contain.
Come join me at Postcrossing and start collating glimpses of the hopes and dreams of everyday people all over the world. Perhaps making a new friend or two along the way.
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