In the following paragraphs, you will learn all you need to know about how to begin selecting, writing, and sending greeting cards, and, in the process, you'll also learn about how to make your life better.

We know. Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it?

All we can say is: read on, and see for yourself.

All you have to do is follow our simple 5-step plan, and within weeks, your life will change for the better: your friends will appreciate you more, your relationships will be richer, and compliments will come rolling in from people who will think you're better looking because of the new air of self confidence about you.

Take a moment to assess your worth by taking stock of your assets. And by assets, we mean your relationships. Whatever your financial situation, your strongest assets are not the kind that appear on a balance sheet, they are the relationships you've made that have in-turn made your life richer.

So take a moment to consider those relationships, the relatives and friends who supported you, encouraged you, influenced you, believed in you, shared experiences with you, taught you, made you laugh, comforted you when you cried, and maybe got you into trouble. Spend a few moments reminiscing, reviewing, and reliving. Then, think about which of those people you want to reconnect with to share a memory, offer some encouragement, thank for their help, or just let know that you're thinking of them.

Write down those names. These are the people you'll want to send greeting cards.

Next, think about how rich you hope to become. Are there new friends and acquaintances you would like to know better? Write those names down too. You may wish to send them greeting cards as well.

Selecting a greeting card is a highly personal process. Some people wait for an occasion to arise before searching for just the right card for both the occasion and the recipient. Others accumulate a stock pile of cards to choose from as various opportunities and occasions arise. Our experience shows that a combination of these two approaches works best.

But the real key is that you select a great card. Not just any greeting card will do!

If you're going to send a greeting card to tell someone that you're thinking about them, you want to make sure you put some thought into the card that you send.

A great greeting card says: "I'm thinking about YOU! And, in doing so, I've picked out a card that I know you will relate to for its image or thought and appreciate for its artistry, imagination, or humor!"

A not-so-great card, on the other hand (i.e. the vast majority that shall remain nameless due to our fear of receiving cards from lawyers), say something slightly different. They say: "I'm thinking about you-- sort of. Not enough to get a greeting card that exactly reflects that, mind you, but certainly enough to grab this one on my way to the cash register to pay for the prescription ointment I needed for my personal hygiene purposes."

The fact that you've found this website already says sending great greeting cards matters to you.

Relax. This is the part everybody worries about. It's also the part anybody CAN do. It just takes a little thought and a bit of courage.

First, think about this: The very act of sending a greeting card speaks volumes. It says, I took time to think about you, to pick out a card that I felt was appropriate for you, and to show you that I care. And that's without you having written a single word! The act of sending the card alone gets you half-way there.

"Ah, but it's that last half -- writing the card -- that's the killer," you say?

Don't let it be! A simple expression of your thoughts in sending the card is all you need. Greeting cards are great in that they can accompany a ten-page letter or a few simple lines of thought. When starting out, we'd suggest a few simple lines. They can range from humor to heartfelt thought. And yes, those would be in addition to the printed message already inside the card, if there is one.

An Important Note: Your own words will take you a lot farther than someone else's. No matter how appropriate or perfect the poems on the inside of some greeting cards may seem, they will never mean as much to the person you're sending the card to as your own words. And no, you don't have to be a poet or a copywriter. Just be true to your emotions, and you'll score real points. So look for greeting cards with simple messages or blank insides, and you'll get more credit for having composed your own message, rather than relying on someone else's words.

So, where to begin?

The best approach we've found is to begin the composition process by taking a few moments to think about who you're sending the greeting card to. When they're forefront in your mind, writing them a message will be like engaging in a conversation. Depending on the situation, you can share a memory, share some personal news, and/or just find an appropriate way to let them know that you're thinking about them, that you appreciate them, miss them, are grateful to them, love them, or want to see more of them.

And what is an "appropriate way?"

Try simple, straight forward expressions like: "How are you, my friend?" "Thinking of you." "Hoping all is well." "Thanks for being my friend." "Thanks for your help." "Forgive me." "I miss you." "I love you." "I appreciate you." "I hope all is well with you."

Whatever you write, keep in mind that there are two simples rules to writing you should always follow, no matter what you're writing. They are:

1) Figure out what you want to say first, and then, and only then,

2) figure out how you want to say it.

The key here is that in figuring out what you want to say, you also often figure how best to say it. But if you start worrying about finding the perfect words before you've figured out your thoughts, it'll be like trying to build a house before the foundation has been laid.

The bottom line here is that if you pick a an impressive greeting card with a beautiful, or humorous, or touching image, and then add to that a few words of honest thought, whether you're a poet or not, in the eyes of the person you send it to, you'll be Shakespeare!

Sometimes the act of writing a greeting card triggers such a relief that you might lose the urge to send it. Or you might get last minute anxiety about sending it, because, well, it means putting yourself out there. If either of those circumstances arise, think about this:

In the words of Anais Nin: "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."

Figuratively translated, that means: Send the greeting card! Mail it, personally deliver it, drop it on a desk or a doorstep. Whatever you do, get it there. Because it doesn't do anybody any good until it's in the hands of the person for whom it was intended.

Greeting cards are the perfect way to keep in touch. They let the people who are important in your life know that you care, even if you don't always find the time to talk or visit. They will never replace face-to-face encounters, but they're a great way to keep relationships alive and recharged when life keeps you from doing everything you'd hope to do.

And therefore, sending greeting cards, especially High Voltage greeting cards, should become a habit!