Pretty Words

There are few things I love more than words –  though you might’ve figured that out by now. Writing has long been my way to reflect and process our country’s ongoing challenges and the role I play in its trek forward. The current environment – with all of its heaviness and helplessness and, yes, also its hopefulness – has had me turning to words even more frequently, and as speechless as I’ve felt, I’ve found myself coming back to my notebook more regularly and, often, to my past-written words. I’m honored that many of you have read them (as I assume you have, given you’re on this page); it’s my hope that they’ve provided some perspective, a refuge of sorts in the cacophony of today’s news and social media feeds.

By what can only be described as an act of sheer serendipity, Jodee Stevens stumbled upon my blog in 2019 and generously asked me to join her team at Cardthartic in whatever capacity I could. Over the past year-plus, I’ve had the honor to indulge in the joyful treat of penning several messages for Cardthartic’s thoughtful cards and contributing to the brand’s mission of “making the world a better place one card at a time.” Being able to say “a lot, with a little” – particularly during times that feel so unaddressable and big – has been, well, delightfully cathartic.

Cardthartic’s newly launched 2021 collection of cards, art prints and magnets is now available at cardthartic.com, including several written by yours truly and illustrated by Los Angeles-based hand-lettering artist, Natalie Avalos. I hope you’ll enjoy browsing them – and that you’ll find them refreshing and mostly, hopeful. Whether you choose to order one of my messages or one of the dozens of others penned by fellow word-lovers and dreamers, I suggest you place an order, get yourself to the post office and help spread some joy. I can’t think of a more appropriate time to do just that.

Below, a sampling of some of my favorite Cardthartic designs. Enjoy – and thanks, as always, for reading.