Perfect Poise, Perfect Life
Bring your body into balance and revolutionise your life
By Noel Kingsley
Publisher Hodder Mobius
AVAILABLE HERE

« Sound of silence | Main | Choose your experience »

Pen poised and paper ready

Mattock handwriting sample

How's your handwriting these days? Not something you may have considered recently, but as a means to an end and just the mechanical process of jotting the fastest note, putting pen to paper is now virtually consigned to just those tasks that a computer, Blackberry, palm or phone text won't handle. Is the 'art of writing' dead? No, I think it's just slumbering and I'm waking it up.

I wrote a blog about Writing by Hand just a couple of weeks ago and I have no intention of repeating myself, but now several letters since, using old fashioned fountain pen with wet ink and paper I have found the experience rather interesting. It has become clear to me that although the process of writing and receiving hand-written letters brings a personal touch that no computer can match, the form and style of my handwriting has now come to my attention. Legibility is an issue for starters, and the 'Spell-Check' facility is the dictionary in the bookcase....or on-line if I'm booted up. And so it seems strange, writing by hand, then to check spelling on the computer when it could all be done so quickly in Word! But taking time to write brings with it a different experience, one that is more personal, worthy and greater sense of personal contact.

Now my handwriting style is in question and basically it is a mess. So what do I do now, change it or leave it......or maybe just take a little more care? Beautifully calligraphied handwriting can be an art in creation and a thing of beauty to receive. But it does rather eliminate the human idiosyncrasies and personality that characterises us as an individual. We're not a robot or printing machine, but a person of thought, love and humour. Doing nothing and hastily writing in a manner that indicates that we cannot get the process finished fast enough given the hundred other jobs we need to do today, does not really give much to the recipient and we may as well type it, although haste may be in our nature, so a true representation of our character!

I think it's a case of me taking a little more time, giving more consideration, a few more moments in the process of writing that will bring into being a letter that warrants the endeavour. If we're going to write by hand at all, then let it be worthy of the effort and make it worthwhile.

So now with my fountain pen at hand, and a page that I wish to write to my dear 87 year old Uncle who has just recently got his first computer but had the thought and kindness to wish me Happy Birthday last month by means of a hand-made card and three page epistle, I think my reply is over due. And to give a little time to the process may allow me the opportunity to form my letters, not in a new and un-Noel way, but with a little more legibility, more evenness of hand, with space around the border so it sits nicely on the page and breathes, so I can say what I think without abbreviation that inevitably turns my message into cryptic clues and the fleshless skeleton of meaning.

As I write to my Uncle, I shall take my time and despite the universal trend away from the hand written, I shall employ all my best ability to make a thing of my letter so that it is worth reading, reviving my letter writing skills while enjoying the process of continuing an art that has lasted thousands of years but is now in danger of extinction.

You might like to join me. If you can think of someone who may like to receive a letter, why not 'make their day'? The postage stamp and your time taking efforts will be worthwhile, as once done, you are likely to feel pretty good too. The process and completion can bring a real sense of achievement and satisfaction. :-)

Posted by Noël on May 3, 2007 9:53 AM | Permalink