Well, maybe not the card itself. But the relationship behind it? That’s another story.
For more than 80 years, researchers at Harvard have been studying one very big question: What makes a good life?
Their answer may be simpler than we expect.
It’s our relationships.
The Harvard Study of Adult Development has found that people who maintain strong, meaningful connections with family, friends, and their communities tend to be happier, healthier, and live longer. In fact, the study’s director has described good relationships as one of the clearest predictors of a happy and healthy life. (Harvard Chan School)
And that got us thinking about something wonderfully simple: birthday cards.
Because a birthday card is really more than a piece of paper.
It’s a little reminder that says, I remembered you.
In a world where so much of our communication happens with a quick text, an emoji, or a social media post, there’s something special about finding a card in your mailbox. Someone thought about you long enough to choose one, write a message, address an envelope, and send it your way.
It takes a little more effort.
And sometimes, a little more effort is exactly what our relationships need.
It certainly gives us reason to believe that nurturing the people we love is good for us—and good for them.
So this year, when a birthday rolls around, consider reaching for a card instead of your phone.
You might make someone’s day.
You might strengthen a friendship.
You might remind someone that they matter.
And who knows? Maybe that little card is doing some good for both of you.
A few minutes. A few words. A little love in the mail.
That sounds like a pretty good reason to send a birthday card.