Copyright 2006 Off the Page
Love Letters are a Sensuous Mode of Communication
A love letter to a sweetheart speaks more directly to the heart
than any other form of writing. Words chosen for their emotional
overtones feel like poetry. They spin a web of attraction that
arouses and entices the senses.
"Sensuous" is often used as a synonym for sexy. But it's more
accurate definition is "to delight the senses" - all of them.
Romance is sensuous because all the senses participate in the
experience. A declaration of love that speaks directly to them
ignites passion - because that's how the emotions and senses
express approval. Words Take a Back Seat to Feelings for Love
Letter Receivers
In face-to-face communication we all "read" each other - the
speaker's gestures, facial expression, confidence, enthusiasm,
etc. Any sour note or inconsistency undercuts the credibility of
what's being said. Each of our senses report confirming
impressions; or whether something "smells fishy." When words
"ring true," we're inclined to trust. Our guard goes down a few
notches.
Body langauge communicates faster and more accurately than words
can. WHAT is being said is less important than HOW it's being
said. That's not fresh news. But most people fail to realize
that written words carry hitchhiking messages as well. And a
love letter even more so.
Use words that "speak" for the senses: "the smell of your
hair"..., "the feeling of the breeze that stirred up the...."
That adds potency and imagery to your declaration.
A Love Letter Says "I Love You" in Multiple Ways
The point of almost all communication (spoken or in writing) is
to be logical - to persuade the rational mind. A love letter
does quite the opposite - sending its message to the heart.
A love letter is sent only to a particular person, with a desire
to strengthen the bond between the sender and receiver. Taking
the time and effort to write a heartfelt love letter makes the
receiver feel primary - ahead of everything else. It's very
un-naturalness delivers a potent declaration in its own right.
Although sending one is effective during courtship, a love
letter is equally desirable for those in long-tem relationships.
You really can't say "I love you" too often, or in too many
ways. The trick is in finding creative and fresh ways to say it
anew.
Presentation Bolsters the Loving Message
The "message" the receiver gets includes all those impressions
that accompany the letter itself. We like to think that we
communicate with what we say - the words. But in truth, people
trust the other senses more. So deliver the letter in a way that
demonstrates such nuances.
Think beyond the letter's words. Involve the senses in the
experience of receiving and reading it. Add sensuousness to your
message by creating at total experience - all reinforcing the
importance of your relationship.
A unique way to stand out is by sending your love letter by
Pixel Post. Your words of love are posted on an online
"billboard" of loveletters, as well as on its own web page
http://www.worlds-smallest-loveletters.com. The announcement is
then sent to the beloved - a private and public declaration of
love at the same time. You can be sure your message will stand
out and be appreciated. The Body Langauge of Your Letter
"Speaks" to All the Senses
- Vision - Looks good, on high-quality or colored paper. Use a
pen and write it with your best penmanship. Edit and recopy if
necessary. Emails and word-processed emails flunk the vision
test.
- Hearing - The crinkle of the paper is a plus. Suggest they
have a particular song playing when they read it, for example.
- Smell - A squirt of your perfume or after-shave in a time
honored addition - the receiver senses your presence.
- Touch - Paper choice is important since 30% of the message is
received by the fingers, before a word is read. Textured and
heavy-weight paper says you're substantial and credible. Why not
put something touchy-feely in the envelope too?
- Combination of them - The whole should be more than the sum of
specific sense impressions - their overall effect should say
"You're special!"
Never doubt that a love letter pays off in a relationship in
many ways. Keeping that practice alive is a vote for romance.
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