last night i went to a presentation by the ladies who started the company empoword. it’s a company that sells everyday products with a design based on the concept that language + symbols can nourish your body and your mind in the same way that food and vitamins can. it’s about the mind/body connection and the incredible ability for the body to heal itself, grow stronger, or maintain health because the mind wills it do so. if you believe in this concept, this seems almost silly to say. if you don’t, i’d look into it if i were you.
stephanie and wendy, the founders of empoword, take empowering words – like strength, balance, calm, smart – and place them on things you can see, touch and use every day. water bottles, coffee cups, mirror/window clings, buttons, t-shirts. the idea is that if you keep looking at the word, the word becomes a sort of mantra, it starts to seep into your mind and then it starts to seep into your body and then you start to actually feel what the word says. and, worst case – even if you don’t really think that happens, but think the products are cute, then at least you have a new favorite t-shirt or coffee mug. and wendy and stephanie take comfort in the fact that even if you don’t think it’s “working,” it really truly is, and they are doing something to add joy and empowerment to their world.
i’m finding it easy to be drawn in to the simplicity and grace of the symbols, and perfectly delighted by the choice of colors and the font. i picked up a few greeting cards (balance, calm, calm, and brave – had to get two of calm, one for me and one for my sister.) i took a button that says focus, and put it right above my desk. i’m thinking it’s going to kick in any minute now.