“Sandra Lamb’s book reinforces the principles of etiquette, reminding us that writing personal notes is a vital way of sharing appreciation and respect with others. Handwritten correspondence is an art form that is far from lost.” –Peggy Post, etiquette expert and author

“It happens to us all: Our minds go blank and our pens float uselessly above the white space when that sympathy or ‘congratulations’ card comes ’round to us at work, or we have to send out a thank-you note for a gift that didn’t float our boats. Never fear: Sandra E. Lamb has some good advice for dealing with such situations in Personal Notes. One good recommendation: Don’t be dishonest, but do couch your truth-telling in good old-fashioned tack.” –John Mark Eberhart, The Kansas City Star

“Know your own heart, open it, and share it honestly with those in your life. These are the secrets to rich and rewarding relationships. Lamb, in Personal Notes…, offers the keys to doing these things well.”–John Gray, Ph.D.author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus

Chapter 1
The Power to Connect
“… What’s so often missing from our lives today is the richness of shared humanity, those moments when we feel rally connected to other human beings. The act of writing personal notes not only feeds our own soul, but also lets us share ourselves with others—offering hope, affirming life, connecting.

“But let’s clarify. Although we have the great advantage of advanced technologies and electronic gadgets that keep us instantly and constantly in touch, we often feel a deep void that can only be filled when we take a moment to reflect, experience, and reach out to another. Ironically, this can come from something as old-fashioned and simple as writing a personal note.

“…Instant communications allow us to function too close to the surface, writing on the run from only that top, thin layer of our thoughts; responding without going deeper, opening our inner well, or drawing out that flow of spirit and words that will really connect us to another.”

Time and Place
“There are two keys to any kind of writing: time and place. Often they are inseparable. The right time for writing is when you are closest to your emotional response. In the case of a gift received, that’s usually after you’ve opened it and are basking in the initial delight. If you’re not delighted, the right time may be after you’ve reflected on it for a while. (Reflecting, in any case, is always good.)

“Place can be physical and emotional. It may be an inner “click” that signals that you’ve tuned into your heart, your writing place. A physical place where you love to write is also very helpful. Many creative and very productive writers attest that it’s critical to set the stage by returning to a familiar writing place, with the tools of their trade at the ready. Use both…”