Words on paper

Once upon a time, I was obsessed with Post Secret. In the beginning, the secrets were so visceral, so cutting. The raw emotion ripped off the screen and into me. I never sent a secret to this thing, but I loved to go read them. Now, it's an, 'oh, I haven't been there in awhile' kinda thought that gets me to visit. I read through the secrets and I'm rarely surprised anymore.

Am I just jaded? Have I seen too much? There is an interesting one on there today that someone asked out their Jewish friend. When they declined, the person went home and watched Hitler vids on You Tube and it made them feel better. I'll file this more in the odd section than a true hidden secret that is ripping someone's life asunder. What a wretched person you must be to hate someone for their genetics and beliefs. And to enjoy watching someone who tried to destroy that race when he was of the same race himself.

Perhaps what interests me most is the designs on the cards themselves. For non-designers, there are some amazingly rich visual communications. They aren't designed well all the time, but like, art, isn't good design that which speaks to you? People put a lot of thought into creating these little messages to the masses. See, it would be one thing to send a postcard to a guy in MD that is just going to file them away, but with luck, your card is going to be on line or posted in another secret book. Your card may go on tour for thousands of people to look at. To examine to vilify, accept or deny your emotion.

If you've sent in a Postcard to Post Secret, I commend you for at least taking that action. You've shared with someone and I bet you feel lighter as a result. If I saw it, I wonder if I'd react. Did you make me feel? Did I pause to consider your words and the meaning behind them? Or did you send the card that says you resent buying gifts for your rich parents? I don't ever recall reading a law that says you must buy a gift for anyone. Or is it perhaps you fear they will no longer buy you the gifts you crave?

I'm not good at buying gifts on the right occasion, but I love to give gifts when they aren't expected. A small thing here or there, a true thing freely given. There isn't much better than that in my mind. Are our best friendships/relationships those we expect nothing from but to be with someone whose company you enjoy? Someone that makes you smile or laugh at yourself? Makes you forget all the problems in your life and focus on just being. I'd like to thank those people in my life that do that. You are very special.