The world moves. If the pace is acceptable and the day is lovely, this post might be unnecessary.
Otherwise, you have, in your dominant hand, the ability to make the moment slower and more thoughtful—more considerate, and something your correspondent can touch, aware that you grasped it first.
The object must be handled, folded, and mailed. The act reveals the sender’s intent. He set aside other, easier choices.
The task demands a pen to render a fine, easy-to-read line. You alone grasp its significance and take part in a private, ageless ritual.
Cursive writing provides an emotional advantage. It tells the person you care. In effect, you are underlining the importance of your dispatch. The delivery to be received is not a casual, everyday comment.
You will not communicate with speed, as you do when you choose email or text. Cursive offers more time to think about what you want to say. If you have not used it in a while, you need to practice. Your brain will thank you.
Humanity shares a long history of invitations graced by the human hand, frequently by individuals whose deftness with a stylus gives the words a special beauty.
Cursive is a manner of penmanship in which the symbols of your language will be conjoined and fluid. That speeds up the handwritten creation of your message compared to printing one word after another, with the letters separated.
Yes, if you are young, you must train or retrain yourself. Remember, though, the history of such documents includes famous ones, like the Declaration of Independence. Many distant friends corresponded with one another, and lovers wrote them in wartime.
Imagine.
We have more choices than ever on our blue planet.
Time is speeding up.
Slow it down and make it beautiful again.
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The top image is The Love Letter, painted by Thomas Sully in 1834, and sourced from Wikiart.org.
“Slow it down and make it beautiful again.” Yes, yes, yes! I am a huge fan of sending handwritten letter, especially in cursive. There is something special about it that you capture so eloquently.. the connection to the past, the recipient feeling the thoughtfulness that went into the gesture, and so much more.
Thank you, Erin. Yes, exactly. To care enough. That is at the heart of the matter and much more in life.
Having taught third grade toward the end of my career, I got to teach cursive writing. It is beautiful and the kids enjoyed learning something new. I wonder if it is even taught anymore. I don’t think it will ever become obsolete, but I don’t see it much except for signatures.
Agreed, Pete. I was checking in to see a doctor and saw that a woman in her 20s had a notebook in which she was writing. When I asked about cursive, she said she struggles with it and never learned. A dying art, I suppose, but I suspect it will survive to some extent. I do hope so. Thanks, Pete.
I wholeheartedly agree with you, Dr. Stein! Presently, I have two little penpals, ten year old cousins who used to come to the library I where I worked in another state. Before I left these little girls and their moms and siblings brought me homemade gifts. When I settled into my new home a couple thousand miles away, I sent them thank you cards and the two little girls began writing to me individually. It is a sweet and precious thing to share this special bond and I hope we keep it up for a long, long time! ✍️❤️
A sweet story, Lori. Thank you for sharing it. It sounds like both you and the children benefit from the effort, beauty, and thoughtfulness. Yes, I hope it continues for all three of you.
Dr. Stein, what a wonderful reminder of those days of handwritten letters! I learned recently that teaching cursive handwriting may be phased out at our schools. That would be a loss. I still use cursive handwriting when preparing first drafts of articles and stories. There’s a connection between the act of writing and my brain during the creative process.
I am sure your brain benefits. Indeed, cursive has departed in some places. I remember that when I was in public high school, they still taught Latin and future physicians were expected to learn it, the better to write prescriptions. I also have a book of photos of extinct animals. We would be better off as a species if we tried to save such things and, creatures and practices of value, of course, not least, ourselves.
We would be better off, for sure.
Sully’s artwork — new to me and I love it! Thank you for this perfect afternoon meditation, dear Dr. Stein. Well-timed! ❤️😉❤️
I did not know his art either, Vicki, so we both benefitted. As they say in Latin, Sic transit gloria mundi: So pass away the glories of the earth. Thank you. I am glad the essay and the image stirred you.
A beautiful post! I have a friend who regularly sends postcards. It is so charming!
Kind of her, Wynne. The letters of older times often open us to a depth emotion we do well to think about. Thank you
There is something so special about a handwritten note, Dr. Stein. Perhaps it’s because it is so rare in our hurried digital world. I love the notion of slowing down and making it beautiful again. Thank you for those inspiring words.
Very kind of you, Michelle. I agree that we’ve missed something in setting pen and paper aside, and what is in our heart with it. Thank you.
Wow, cursive! It’s been a while since I wrote a letter in cursive. My signature is usually in cursive when I’m not in a hurry, but besides that, I don’t use it for anything else. I might start writing in my journal in cursive to keep up the skill.
It is up to you, Edward. Cursive makes an impression these days, because few bother or know how to use it. AI also seems to be robbing us of skills we might do better to hang on to. Good luck!
That’s true. But like you said, it’s good for the brain, so I’d better start using it.
You and me, both!