Postcard from Paris

I am writing this postcard to myself from Paris. I just came from the Picasso museum and am inspired more than ever to write and paint. May this be a reminder to you, dear Melissa, no matter what happens in your life you are not being your full self without acting, fully, on these parts of you.

August 10, 2005

Paris France

Melissa Renzi

This postcard hangs on the wall by the chair where I write in my journal. I have it framed. It’s a postcard of Picasso sitting at a dinner table with bread rolls positioned to look like his hands. It’s silly and playful. It’s framed with 5 Euros with a silver heart that says Paris on it. (The sticker originally came on a little candle and somehow it came off and onto my Euro. I think I heard having 5 Euros in your wallet was good luck. I’ll have to revisit those journals to get the full scoop from my 2005 self.) There’s also my metro card in the frame including my photo ID that went with it, stuck to the corner of the orange metro card. It’s a time capsule of who I was then and a reminder of who I am. Once for a job I had to answer a Q and A. They asked me my favorite place. I said, “Paris. It reminds me who I am.” Having this postcard by my side as I write is both so grounding and so liberating. I spend many a moment reading it and rereading it. Examining it for clues of my truth. A touchstone. “A visual statement of bravery,” as Gemma would say.

What reminds you of who you are? Is there a specific place? Is there a visual symbol somewhere in your home? If so, yes! Go check in and remember. If not, pay attention to when, where and with who you feel most alive. Can you visualize this somehow? Can you write yourself a postcard? Your full self is waiting for you to remember. The world is waiting, too.