Do you consider yourself grateful?
I always thought of myself as a grateful person, but it wasn’t until I dove into this book and committed to daily gratitude practices that I recognized I had more room for appreciation in my life.
Gratitude is a theme I frequently discuss, as I believe the habit itself can have a profound impact on one’s life.
As part of my gratitude routine, I often write “letters” to the important people in my life. I take time to express why I cherish them and what I appreciate about their presence. However, I never send these letters—they remain tucked away in my gratitude journal. Why? Perhaps it’s a fear of vulnerability, or maybe my busy schedule, balancing work, blogging, and various other projects, leaves me little time to engage further.
A NOTE, A POEM, A “THANK YOU”
One of the most treasured gifts I’ve received is a heartfelt poem from my younger brother when he was about eight or nine. It goes something like this: “a sister like you is rare, the things I would do for you, you don’t know how much I love you, not even a clue (…) I’ll end this poem right here, because I’m sure I’ve inspired at least one tear.” Now that he’s eighteen, I still proudly display that poem on my desk. Each glance at it brings a smile to my face. Such a small gesture can hold immense power. When was the last time you wrote a handwritten note, letter, or even a poem to someone dear, simply to say “thank you” and share your love?
Imagine if crafting a personalized, handwritten note were as simple as tapping your phone. Bond is an app that transforms the act of saying “thank you” into something truly special, allowing you to create lovely, handwritten notes and send them directly to those you care about. It blends tradition with technology, taking just five minutes of your day—enabling you to reach out to loved ones while grocery shopping, walking your dog, or during a commercial break of your favorite show. It’s incredibly easy. Here’s how I created a note for my sister using Bond.
HERE’S HOW TO DO IT
The beauty of Bond lies in its flexibility—you can select from a range of stylish stationery designs or fully customize your own. For my sister’s note, I chose a favorite childhood picture of us, added my initials, and wrote a brief message.
Compose your message, then personalize it by choosing a handwriting style.
To enhance the personal touch, upload a photo, select the address from your contacts, confirm, and your note will be mailed.
Using a cherished photo made my note even more meaningful. If you share a similar age gap with a sibling, you understand the nuances of sibling rivalry. Despite our playful bickering, it wasn’t until I left home at eighteen that my sister and I truly bonded as friends. Yet, we still squabble occasionally. Sending her a note expressing, “Hey girl, you’re pretty cool and I’m really happy you’re my sister” carries special significance, as I don’t share those sentiments often enough.
While you may frequently express your love verbally, having written words conveys a stronger message than a casual, “love ya” as you dash out the door. Such notes can be reread and cherished for a lifetime, creating recurring joy. In today’s digital age, heartfelt gestures like these become even more valuable.
Although I advocate for gratitude year-round, this season naturally prompts reflection. So, I challenge you to take a moment this holiday season to send a little note to someone you appreciate. Even a simple message like “Hey, I just want you to know how much I love you” is one of the best gifts you can offer.
This post was created in partnership with Bond.
