Notes.to.Stranger

Being truly seen in a most unexpected way

Reading Time: 3.2 minutes, 421 words. Ideas inspired by the “[good]men | works > in > progress.” initiative. Read backstory here + Subscribe for free:

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2 strangers + 1 note.

The video of the man at a cafe seat seems mundane at best.

He sits alone. Black shirt, black jacket, black backpack.

Near empty glass of beer on the table.

Someone out of the frame approaches his table.

A folded green card in hand. Hands it to the man in the black shirt, saying something in French without explanation, simply implying the note is for him.

Then walks away.

The man in the black shirt looks puzzled. Looks around. Slowly opens the card.

In it, a note reads:

“You are stronger than you think.”

(written in French, “Tu es plus fort que tu ne le crois.”)

The Body Language of Letting It Sink In.

As he reads the simple note, his face moves from puzzlement to joy. A slight smile. A slight head nod. Reading the short note several times. Letting it sink in.

The camera sits a few tables over. Anonymous. Capturing his reaction.

The man looks to his right. Then to his left. Then back to the right, eyebrows raised in genuine curiosity. Seeking, perhaps, the original stranger that handed him the note earlier.

Glass of beer raised slightly. Paused. Caught between moments and thoughts. Raises his eyebrows more dramatically. Sips from the beer. Hand goes to his chin, rubbing slightly, pondering, reflecting, scratches his head, looks up to the sky, taking it all in, joining his hands/fingers together, taken somewhere:

“You are stronger than you think.”

(written in French, “Tu es plus fort que tu ne le crois.”)

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The Video Series.

The French“Notes to Stranger” video series found on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok has a simple strategy:

Find a stranger sitting in public (often alone, but occasionally with others).

Hand them a note with a 1-line note of inspiration that deceptively affirms the receiver in hyper-simple ways:

“Your family is lucky to have you.”

or  

“I hope you will heal from the things you do not talk about .”

or

“We believe in you.”

or

“Stay strong, you’re brave".”

or

“Keep making them proud you are their Hero.”

This video of a young woman receiving a note has over 3million views on TikTok (and hundreds of thousands more on Instagram). Watching her body language shift by the second is truly compelling as she re-reads the note and takes it all in.

The note, a sentence offered by a stranger, without knowing her actual story, literally changes her in real time.

Deep breaths. Smiling. Sitting back.

Taking it all in.

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Thank You

Countless folks have helped me better understand how “[good]men” can purposefully explore + manage life’s many “works > in > progress”.

Appreciate you reading, subscribing to, and sharing this journal.

And please reach out at christian [@] bonfire-workshop [.] com if you’d ever be up for joining “[good]men: works > in > progress”on trail, in a retreat, by a campfire, or online; sign up for executive coaching sessions; or co-create experiences for others.

Cheers, Christian

P.S. “[good]men. | works.in.progress.” backstory can be read here.

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