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A challenge

I was recently watching “Sunday Morning” with Jane Pauley and was completely captivated by a segment about a unique postcard challenge. The premise was simple yet profound: participants were invited to confess a “good secret.”

The person who initiated the challenge received thousands of postcards, and the stories shared were, for the most part, truly wonderful. From heartfelt “thank you” notes sent years later to elementary school teachers, to quietly mowing an elderly neighbor’s lawn for years without recognition, these confessions highlighted acts of kindness, generosity, and quiet heroism. Of course, there were a few confessions of affairs or unrequited love, but the overwhelming majority were genuinely uplifting and positive.

It got me thinking: In our current climate, with so much negativity, meanness, and slander often dominating online spaces, could we replicate this “good secret” challenge? Could we create a space where people feel comfortable sharing their quiet acts of goodness without fear of judgment or cynicism?

I believe we can, and I’m ready for the challenge! I invite you to join me.

I’ll start: I once mentored a young woman I met while working in a group home. I continued to do so for several years. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, and admittedly, it didn’t end exactly as I had hoped. But I gave it my all, and in the process, I learned an incredible amount about myself.

What’s your “good secret”? Share it in the comments below, and let’s see if we can create a ripple effect of positivity!

• The person who started the postcard secret challenge, known as PostSecret, is Frank Warren.
• He began the project in 2004, inviting people to anonymously send him their secrets on homemade postcards. The project gained significant popularity, leading to a website, several best-selling books, and even museum exhibits