Life is busy, a reality to which many of us have reluctantly conceded. What pains me the most about busyness is its warped sense of priorities. Somehow, and for no good reason, the people and rituals I cherish get pushed to the back of the line. Raise your hand if you can relate. I try hard not to take my relationships for granted, but it happens. And while one of the calling cards of true friendship is that it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, it’s important to reach out and show the people you love how much they mean to you.
This past month has been crazy for me, between teaching the YogaWorks 200hr Intensive and managing some exciting work projects. My closest friends all basically said the same thing: “Talk to you in February!” So with the training over, I decided it was time to sit down and connect with my girls.
Writing letters has always been a cathartic and relaxing practice for me. It’s also an opportunity to be creative, turning a relatively simple task into a bhakti, or devotional, practice. I pulled out this box of assorted botanical notecards from Rifle Paper Co. Aren’t they pretty? Just looking at them makes me so happy!
I used my favorite Pilot pens—this one for writing my note and this one for addressing the envelopes. I bought the calligraphy pen on my recent trip to Paris in a cute little paper shop on Rue du Bac. My goal is to someday take a calligraphy class so I can learn how to use the classic quill and ink bottle, but until then, my trusty calligraphy pen transforms an ordinary letter into something special.
I’ve been in love with the art of handwriting ever since I was a little girl. It’s been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I won an award in first grade for best handwriting, an accolade I joke about because it’s silly, but at the time it was meaningful! The truth is, my love for putting pen to paper has always given me an opportunity to connect with others. It gives me pleasure, not just for the joy it brings others, but for the act, itself.
You don’t have to have a prestigious handwriting award to show someone how much they mean to you! Grab a notecard, or make your own—cover a blank piece of paper with stickers and hearts. Or just grab a sheet of computer paper and write, “You mean the world to me.” Put it in an envelope and throw a stamp on it. I can 100% guarantee that it will not only make your day brighter, but that it will be cherished by the lucky recipient of your thoughtfulness.
Life is busy. It’s also short. And challenging, but full of beauty, love, and the magic of connection. Invest in your relationships by demonstrating your love in meaningful ways, however small. It matters more than you know.
