Brave Enough To Be Bliss

Chapter 14 — Making Plans

“I used to be afraid of failing at something that really mattered to me, but now I'm more afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter.” Bill Goff

Since I returned from Michigan, I had been toying with the idea of going away again somewhere to finish the book. The six-month lease on my apartment was ending in early January, so I needed to make some decisions. On December 12, 2023, I recorded the following video and sent it to John. It was the first day I began feeling better after testing positive for Influenza A the prior week.

12 12 23 edited 1 (youtube.com)

“ The question should be, is it worth trying to do, not can it be done. ” Allard Lowenstein

I sent a text to a former Hallmark colleague who has sometimes questioned some of the “real” things I want to write about as being too scary for most people. I expected her to poo-poo the idea and tell me why it wouldn’t work, but I was braced for it, and I did want her honest feedback as she is a smart businessperson. Ok you can laugh at the idea or tell me you don’t think it would work, but I thought of this one day in my car and then gave it a little more thought a couple nights ago with more specifics of how I could envision it. The idea comes from my unwillingness t o buy a Hallmark card that says something I don’t mean. And from the fact that so many people have told me they wish they could write/express feelings the way I do. The cards could open the door for real conversations that could create more real relationships.

Card Line Name: Hallmark Real

Textured, cardstock papers (white/ivory/soft colors) vs. artwork so the words are the focus. Silver, gold, black ink for text. 4x6 or 5x7 type card with no fold so it’s more like something that could go in a frame. Nothing to fold or open. The whole message is there. Giver writes in the name of who it is to and from, so it “feels” more personal. All cards start with the same first line…

I may not have written these words, but they reflect what is in my heart… .

Cards would be available for virtually all relationships including (from both directions): adult child/aging parent, teen/parent, adult child/parent strained relationship, new love disclosing fear, friends grown apart but still love you from a distance, encouragement for healing ( isn’t easy but it’s worth it ), new dad missing his wife and feeling needed/taken care of, new mom feeling overwhelmed/exhausted/unattractive, etc. Endless options really and holidays too…lonely at Christmas is huge. Saying all the things humans f eel but are too scared to say.

If the line took off like I think it would, I could also see some Hallmark Real movies down the line too.

Anyway, I think this would immediately appeal to younger generations and our generation is getting there.

…and she replied with: Can you talk for a few minutes tonight? God just happened…will share later or when we can talk.

I also sent an email to a male friend who hasn’t been the biggest supporter of my blogs . They ’ re too real for his taste, so I figured he would also be one of my toughest critics. I wanted to share the idea with him to see if there was any validity to it. And he replied with this…

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