Letters of Recommendation

The Power Of Written Words

I recently started collecting letters of recommendation as a way to help expand my business. Usually people write or collect these for college admissions, or court cases, but they are also incredibly valuable to help a business and it’s owner to grow through the magick of *validation*.

**“I don’t need YOUR approval..”**

I know that *validation* can be used as a dirty word; people often express how much they don’t need validation to be their fully creative or capable selves. Validation has a bad reputation at times, and the act of seeking it can be villainized. BUT what is validation… ?.. It is when others tell you what you may (or may not) already know about yourself in a way that is meant to BOOST, or uplift something. It is what happens when others give credence to your character, service, or offerings to this world. The issue with validation is that a person must really believe in and live their truth regardless of rewards, or perceived wins, and not be affected or hindered by any lack of external accreditation. One must be first and most importantly know their own worth and quality… OWN it,.. BE it,... KNOW it… because if you don’t, then NO amount of offered praise will EVER satisfy you, nor will it make you feel whole.

So now that we have cleared that part of things up, let’s get back to Letters Of Recommendation and what they are, what they mean, and what they can do for you…

There Is No Greater Gift You Can Get Or Give Than A Kind Word In A Harsh World

A letter of recommendation is often a one page testimonial highlighting a certain person and how their actions had a positive impact on the one writing the letter. The letters are best when signed, with contact information provided, these two elements add a much more serious or supported tone as they contribute not only a human touch, hand to pen to paper, but they also demonstrate that the information provided is able to be verified with confidence. Such letters are often sought in official capacities with the purpose of validating a person's abilities, ethics, values, or service but they can also be used to build a reputation in business or university, or really, even in LIFE.

Think about this..

Imagine if one day out of the blue, your friends, co-workers, and / or family starting writing letters to you telling you exactly the ways that you improve their life by being in it, how you bring something special and unique to the world, or simply acknowledging your existence on the Earth… do you think that would leave you feeling salty and cantankerous?.. Or do you think it would have you feeling elated, loved, and valued?... Both are very possible outcome feelings. If a person keeps chopping away at their goals, too engaged and enthralled to stop and add judgement or doubt, it’s possible that the positive expressions will fuel them to greater heights, whereas if a person is full of that nasty doubt, or they are burdening their mind with worry about whether they or their work are good enough, it’s possible that a spirited endorsement may seem sketchy or untrustworthy, because “surely they are just placating me…” or “they are just trying to be polite..”... there is also the possibility that a kindly written letter may somehow pull them out of the doldrums and into a place of greater inspiration. It really is a case by case basis. For the sake of being devil’s advocate, let’s say that it will only have a positive effect on both the sender and the recipient. It feels GOOD to say and do nice things for others, so the sender gets that warm and fuzzy feeling, and the recipient feels GOOD to hear that they matter in this life…

There is no greater gift you can get or give then a kind word in a harsh world.

It’s easy, it’s free, and it leaves everyone feeling the love.

There Is POWER In Approval

Approval, though not a requirement for one’s personal sense of success, does have a lot of value. Approval can show an artist or creator that their work IS being appreciated, and that the connection HAS been made. That is immensely gratifying for the artist. It’s like that moment where someone says “Hey, I really loved that song you wrote because I related to the story you told, and it really helped me through a hard time..” YES.. this IS a payoff, and this kind of connection is what many, if not all, artists secretly hope for, because it means the message they were sharing was received, and that there is someone out there who understands them. We all want to be understood on some level. It’s a basic human trait. Approval, much like validation, is a slippery slope - it can be of great influence, but it should NOT be what a creator solely seeks. That is a losing battle, so be aware of what you are seeking when you desire approval.. There is nothing wrong with being curious if your work has been received as it was intended, and there is nothing wrong with wanting others to share in your excitement and enthusiasm, just don’t make criticism the end-all-be-all; and be mindful that criticism IS a double sided sword… there is positive AND negative feedback that is possible when one puts their work or themselves on display for critique. You must be equally open to hearing praise AND condemnation; it’s likely you will eventually encounter both.

Letters of recommendation are offerings that are presented as a way to help bolster and support someone with the intention of sharing one’s approval of a person, or their work. They serve to build someone up by raising or at least leveling the playing field. Either way they are helpful and valuable in the art of business and process of growth.

The Letter Is Mightier Than The Comment…

It is my opinion that good old fashioned letters trump brief social media blurbs hands down. A nice little comment here, a 5 star rating there, granted SO appreciated, and SO welcomed, but they have less impact than a letter someone takes the time to write. There is a more potent energy behind the action. A letter takes more thought and intention than a momentary nod on social media. Again, those nods are crucial in this day and age, and they are amazing to receive, but a letter is more potent. It takes a certain amount of effort that is unique to the practice unto itself. Letters have a greater sense of referenceable permanence than the radar blip that is a social media commentary. Letters can be saved, documented, collected, and utilized in a fashion that carries more weight in the eyes of a school, or employer and yes, even the artist themself. I think that’s because everyone is aware of the impermanent and flash-in-the-pan nature of social media engagement. Likes, clicks, views, and shares can be purchased from third party sources, and that is a fairly ingenious, yet deceptive way to build or present a reputation or clout. A letter takes a hand, an intention, and effort, and most importantly, a palpable sense of the experience and influence the interaction yielded for the sender. Really, in my opinion, it would be kind of obvious if someone were purchasing or outsourcing recommendation letters the way they do for social media engagement, as letters when collected, tend to reveal common themes, descriptions, and experiential elements that are common throughout.

Take A Minute, Make A Difference…

Letters of recommendation are an amazing gesture to show that you value someone. My challenge to you, dear reader, is this: Write A letter for someone who you feel deserves one. Don’t even ask in advance.. Just write a heartfelt letter, and deliver it to them. If doing this feels good for you, and the recipient is also feeling good about it, then do it again, and write another letter for someone else. Encourage others to do this too, and also.. Don’t be afraid to ask for them yourself! There is nothing wrong with building up your own portfolio and compounding your approvals while doing the same for others.

THIS is how we, as a community, can raise ourselves up.

THIS is how we, as a tribe, can help each other succeed and thrive.

The beautiful art and practice of showing appreciation, gratitude, and admiration for the people in our lives goes the distance in making a difference. It really does.. So what are you waiting for?.. Go write a letter..

Till next time

Be well