July 2, 2021 — As we wish you a happy holiday weekend, our hearts are with the families of those lost in the horrible building collapse. What a tragic reminder of how very fragile this gift of life is and how much our own loved ones mean to us.

Because we know that Cardies generally take no one and nothing for granted, we want to show you this lovely Little Reminders card today. It was designed to send to all those you hold dear when they don’t happen to be near! The folks who may be out of sight yet so often come to mind: Longtime friends you haven’t spoken with in awhile, grandkids several states away, favorite neighbors who summer in another part of the country, great gal pals you’ve not gotten to see since the pandemic.

Who is it you’re missing today? Beyond cards, we have another way you might send love and goodwill their way. I know our founder Jodee has shared this metta meditation before, and it feels to me like a good time to share it again now.

It’s drawn from Buddhist scholar Sharon Salzberg’s book Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness. Like so many simply powerful mindfulness practices, it begins with finding a quiet corner and breathing way down into your belly. When you’re feeling calm and collected, Salzberg says to try “spending a few minutes contemplating the goodness within you, and the rightness of your wish to be healthy and happy.” Hmm.

Remembering to breathe, gently repeat these phrases chosen to acknowledge your desire and everyone’s right to feel healthy, happy and loved. Hands on your belly, gently and lovingly say to yourself several times:

“May I feel healthy.”
“May I feel happy.”
“May I feel loved.”

You might try taking a deep breath between phrases. When you’ve repeated them enough times that they feel right and true for you, call to mind the first person you are missing today. “Perhaps visualize them,” Salzberg suggests, “saying their name to yourself.” In card-speak, you might also say to them, “My heart remembers every little thing that I love about you.” :-) Seeing that person in your mind’s eye, direct the phrases toward them, sending lovingkindness across the miles …

“May you feel healthy.”
“May you feel happy.”
“May you feel loved.”

Salzberg says, as you repeat the words, stay connected to them and their meaning, while holding a clear sense of this person you care so much for. Of course you can repeat the process, directing the phrases toward as many different people as you wish.

And, if you would, kindly send lovingkindness to all those incredible search and rescue workers relentlessly scouring the rubble in Surfside.

“May you feel healthy.”
“May you feel happy.”
“May you feel loved.”

Lastly, to the victims’ families, whose hearts are surely hurting as much as any of us have experienced or can imagine.

“May you feel healthy.”
“May you feel happy.”
“May you feel loved.”

Cardies, may you always see the goodness that we see in you. And may you also feel healthy, feel happy, feel loved.

Felicia Elenum
Cardie Community Manager