In this day of artificial intelligence and ChatGPT threatening to take over jobs in the workplace, my message for this Front-Row Friday is simple: never underestimate the power of human connection. We need it now more than ever.
Let me introduce you to Rosie. She’s a young woman from Ohio who grew up receiving a handwritten letter from her dad every single day since the fourth grade. Imagine that—thousands of letters filled with encouragement and love, stacked up over the years. Now in her 30s, Rosie decided to post her story on TikTok. She asked if anyone out there might need an encouraging letter from her dad now that he’s retired and looking for a project. The response? Overwhelming.
People from all walks of life flooded her inbox—people who had lost their dads, people whose fathers were never really present, and people who simply longed for a word of encouragement or fatherly advice. Her dad, Buzz, was more than happy to step in. Now, he spends his mornings writing letters to strangers. What started as a father’s daily habit of writing to his daughter has grown into something much bigger: The Dad Letter Project. In fact, the need for human connection via handwritten letters is so big, they have now recruited other dads to write these letters!
On this Front-Row Friday, I invite you to think about what you can do to create a meaningful connection today, a connection that ChatGPT can’t replicate:
- Write a handwritten letter or card.
- Send a text with words of encouragement.
- Share a favorite quote with a friend.
- Call someone just to say, “I was thinking of you.”
It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be real. Artificial intelligence may write fast, but it can’t replace the warmth of your words, your thoughtfulness, or your presence in someone else’s life. So, here’s to celebrating human connection—front-row style. The bonus is, when you take the time to uplift someone, you’ll find your own spirit lifted too.
Have a wonderful Front-Row Friday!
Your Head Usher,
Marilyn
