This is a great technique for helping people carry some of the magic from a workshop into the future with them.

Equipment:

Enough postcards that everyone gets a choice - e.g. three times as many different images as there are people in the group.
One envelope per person, which the postcards fit inside.
Pens.
Stamps (can be bought later).

Method:

Invite people to choose a postcard each, and take an envelope each.
On the postcard, they write a message that they would like to receive in about six week's time. It could be something they want to remember, or an action they plan to have taken by then. Since it will be in an envelope, only they will read it, so it can be anything at all.
On the envelope, they write their name and the address they would like the card to arrive at. Home, work, somewhere else - it's up to them.
They put the card inside the envelope and hand back to you.
Make a note in your schedule to post the cards six weeks after the event.
Remember to post them!

This is a lovely exercise because people feel looked after and respected, and can choose freely what to say to their future self. You can get creative with the cards and even with the stamps. The cards in the picture went to people working on protecting rivers and other water bodies for wildlife, so I was happy to find some appropriate stamps.

Making the Path by Walking

This was first published in October’s Making the Path by Walking. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to subscribe.