Hello there! Thank you for showing up to read… On today’s Taking Stock June post, we’ll do things a little differently… I hope you are ready for this ‘blast-from-the-past!’ 😀
I recently stumbled upon a document titled: ‘A heartfelt letter to my readers’, while I was organizing the files on my laptop. Although it’s been 4 years since the entry, I honestly don’t remember writing it to begin with.
I’ve had my ka tiny laptop for close to 10 years and sometimes the things I find there still surprise me… And this was one of them. 🙂
Thinking back, perhaps I penned it down but felt like it wasn’t good enough to share with you? We’ll never really know. I do suspect that it may have been the beginnings of our ‘Taking Stock’ posts…
Today though, I feel brave enough to share this with you because it’s not mine to keep. The document is dated 30th March 2017, and I will share it as is for our Taking Stock June post… I hope that therein, you’ll find something to encourage you or put a smile on your face.
So here goes… 🙂
A Heartfelt letter to my readers (from March, 2017.)
Dear Reader,
I haven’t written a letter in a long time…. Which is weird because I love, love this forgotten beautiful art of communication. Letters remain the one genuine way to reach another person’s heart, well apart from face-to-face. 🙂
How are you doing my dear reader? No really, how are you? As I write this letter, I wish I could ask you questions like- how are your folks, or did you get that job you were hoping for? And the wedding, was it all that you were anticipating?
Are you living it up at work, do you like your current job? What is your truest passion? You know- all the questions that come after the pleasantries…
I know one of the main things that bring you to this page, is your love for travel, and I genuinely love you for it.
At the same time, can this be a safe space for both you and me; where we do not feel the pressure to conform to the pressures of the world? A place where you leave feeling better than you came. A place of heartfelt inspiration.
That is my one true vision for this blog, to inspire you and I. Lately I have been on a chase for inspiration… Mainly because I am a firm believer in the saying: ‘you cannot give what you do not have.’
And today I felt moved to write this letter to you, and hopefully listen to you for a change; to just write- no fancy pictures involved.
Don’t panic, we will resume exploring destinations in the next post… But every once in a while, let’s pause to reflect and find some inspiration together, no? Let us look beyond the places and speak heart-to-heart. 🙂
Stop to smell the flowers and dance in the rain…
Here in Kenya, we’ve been anxiously waiting for the rains. So the other day when the clouds finally let up, I could not resist going outside to smell it, feel it and hear it. I felt so at peace in that moment. This letter is sort of like that… Let us not let life pass us by, with our eyes stuck on our phones or with our minds living in faraway places.
Don’t miss the smile on a stranger’s face who may be your best-friend-in-waiting. Don’t miss the cry for help in your friend’s eyes… Pause, look around, and take it all in.
Whatever you may be dealing with today my dear reader, take heart- this too shall pass. You are not alone. If we stop to listen, we will find that we are not so different after all.
As we welcome the Month of April, may it be like a breath of fresh air to each and every person reading this. Go after your dreams with a stubborn sense of persistence. Let the ones you love know that you love them. Take a chance: on yourself, your loved ones, your dream- whatever it is, take a chance.
In the meantime, as I continue in my pursuits of inspiration, I want to assure you that I am considering how to make our journeys on the blog, Scrapbook-worthy. You can look forward to more creativity and inspiration in our coming posts, so do stick around. 🙂
Remember to Subscribe to the blog, so that you never miss a post, plus some goodies that I will be rolling out in the coming months. I appreciate you, thank you for reading and remember to keep on! Love and Love. 🙂
*** The End ***
Taking Stock: Present day….
P.S. If you are old-school like me, then you know that back in the day any good letter included a song dedication. LOL 😀
So go and listen to the lyrics in ‘He Still Loves Me’ by Beyoncé & Walter Williams, (from the Fighting Temptations movie.)

Thank you for reading our ‘little different’ Taking Stock June post! I would love to hear back from you!
Feel free to leave a comment with an answer to any of the questions above or even just to share how your day is going!
And until the next one, take care! 🙂
<< Stay. Inspired . Always. >>
12 Comments
Irene
June 13, 2021 at 3:40 pmHi Marion. I love reading letters and old ones tend to bring a smile or a tear to my eye because of the fond memories. Thank YOU for the song dedication!
See you on the next post!
Scrapbook Journeys
June 15, 2021 at 2:49 pmAaaw thanks Irene for reading! And yes, letters really do have a way with bringing on the feels 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it! See you on the next one my friend! 🙂
Christine Munene
June 12, 2021 at 2:16 pmVery heart warming post 🙂
I loved that ‘Dear Reader… How are you? How is life panning out (summarized version 🙂 )
And the Song dedication 🙂 loved all of it!
The stop and take it in parts .. ‘ stop and notice the smile on a stranger’s face and that pain in the eyes of a friend. Remember to tell those you love that you do love them…’
This letter has really warmed my heart !
Thank you for being brave and sharing with us Miss M 🙂
Scrapbook Journeys
June 15, 2021 at 2:50 pmI truly appreciate your feedback Miss Christine! Thank you for reading, and truly glad this warmed up your heart! It’s my pleasure to share. Cheers to being brave! 🙂
Phina Nandwa
June 12, 2021 at 12:36 amThank you for sharing this Marion,this so captivating ☺️, I really enjoyed it. I suddenly have this urge of wanting to read English and Swahili set books for high school. Probably the ones I did and then the ones I have read as well. I hope to get one soon in whichever form☺️
Scrapbook Journeys
June 15, 2021 at 2:51 pmPhina! So glad you enjoyed it, and ayy re-reading the set books sounds like a plan! That would be super cool! Happy reading my friend! 🙂
Stom Wabuko
June 10, 2021 at 11:30 pmFeels like this letter was written to me and only me
Thank you.
Scrapbook Journeys
June 15, 2021 at 2:52 pmI dare say- mission accomplished! That’s the exact feeling I was going for! Thanks for reading FAM. 🙂
Ole-tunda
June 10, 2021 at 8:31 pmEvery journey needs a detour or a stop for supplies. Today’s piece is a necessary distraction from the ever busy life we live . Today I feel rejuvenated by this pit stop. You have made me believe in me again and I look at life differently and optimistically.
It’s a blessing.
Scrapbook Journeys
June 15, 2021 at 2:53 pmI love this Zazo, truly so glad to hear this letter gave you a boost… Keep going my friend! Thank you for showing up to read- I appreciate it so much! Keep on keeping on!:)
Beryl Miswa
June 10, 2021 at 12:26 pmHi M, loving the posts as always. Confession, taking stock are my faves.
So recently I have been rediscovering the joy of reading, and reading great books and listening to great music. It’s amazing how you can find that one thing that speaks to you at that point.
It is worth it to remember the things that make you happy and pursue them with abandon. Life is short and difficult, take a breath and regroup, rediscover your happiness. I. E take stock.
Scrapbook Journeys
June 10, 2021 at 1:00 pmThank you for reading B! I am happy to hear you enjoy our Takin Stock Posts!
Thanks also for sharing about the lessons you are learning! ‘Remember the things that make you happy and pursue them..’ That part!
You nailed it! Cheers to living and learning!