*Guidelines for Writers*

Circle of Love
Guidelines for Letter Writers,
altered to fit New COL Youth Writers :)



The mind is key to how we live. If we are sad, confused and hopeless, we will not see opportunities all around us. We won’t have confidence to try something new or even to finish well the customary tasks. The care and feeding of the mind is as important as any diet for the physical body. What do you feed your mind? What feeds your mind programs your life. If you do not choose to feed your mind spiritual stories, good and empowering messages, beauty and love, then marketers, propagandists, and everyone else will do that programming for you.



The gift of this volunteering is that you will gain the ability to raise your own spirits by noticing what cheers you up and gives you enthusiasm to face your day. Is it an inspiring story from the newspaper or magazine? Is it a passage from an uplifting book? Is it doing “random acts of kindness” through the day? You will start to notice the best material to feed your own mind and to nourish it with positive things on purpose.



Your letter should be attractive, even beautiful, if possible. A handwritten letter is highly preferable. If you cannot write legibly, then typing will be better. :)



Before you write, perhaps you could stop for a moment. Focus on your inner source of inspiration and guidance in the heart. You may want to pray for the recipient. Or think about what gives you a smile through out your day. When you write, identify yourself as writing for Circle of Love. You may do this on the envelope and perhaps the first letter you write.



Include a few sentences about yourself so the recipient can know who it is that cares so much about them to write them letters. Feel free to send photographs, news articles, flower petals, stickers, inspirational magazines pictures, awesome print out. Just be appropriate.
If you have any questions, let me know, that's what I'm here for and we can figure it out together.



Here are things to avoid:



• Advice. Advice means telling the letter’s recipient what they should be thinking, feeling, saying or doing about the problem for which they need support.
• Sending Money. Your heart may go out to people undergoing severe financial difficulties, especially those in India. Amma has asked that we do not send money as part of our volunteering activities but rather tell her about the cases so that the people can be helped directly by Her organizations who are set up for that.
• Gossip. Gossip means expressing opinions or writing stories that do not inspire, encourage or uplift the recipient about other people you know.
• Falsehood. Do not write untrue things about yourself, the recipient’s condition, or others, even if they are intended to impress and inspire the recipient.
• Political Views. Keep your views about local or national political issues, personalities, candidates, campaigns, elections, international affairs between the U.S. and other countries to yourself. Do not include those in COL program letters please.
• Religious or spiritual views. Keep your opinions about specific spiritual groups, or particular beliefs to yourself as well. If the recipient has expressed interest in a particular belief and you relate to it then it may be okay to write about your own personal uplifting experiences that relate. Your opinion about who or what God is may be best to keep in your heart. Let the letter recipient make up his or her own mind.
• Jokes or Insults Based on Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Nation of Origin, Class, Sexual Orientation, Religious Affiliation, Marital Status, or Physical Disability.
• Description of or Encouragement to Perform Any Illegal Activity.
• Mailing, Any Explosive, Dangerous or Illegal Material.



Provided by Sivamayi,
altered by Madhura, Lara Sophia :)
Circle of Love Youth Coordinator
Bluemadhura@gmail.com