There is something completely terrifying about the woman in this postcard, although I can assure you, she came from a perfectly demure clothing ad in a women’s magazine. Then again, the early ‘80s was when the concept of “power dressing” for career women came into the popular parlance, so perhaps the overall impression of her eat-you-for-breakfast expression really was meant to convey success and determination. Which is kind of funny, because the outfit she’s wearing couldn’t be more of the powder-puff variety. And yet, the text for this card wasn’t actually inspired by this particular model, but rather, by my own life — at least, my hopes for my own life. I remember giggling madly, while shampooing my hair in the locker room at the gym, when this line popped into my head: you should see my audacious future. I imagined, first of all, saying it to my ex-boyfriend, whom I sort of secretly believe might very well experience a total eclipse of the heart, apologize for all his emotionally unavailable behavior, and finally ask me to marry him in the not-so-distant future. Now, that may or may not happen (although I do know he’d probably have a heart attack if he knew I was forecasting it), but what is in my control are my own personal hopes and goals for my life. I have audacious hopes, indeed, ones that soar far beyond my currently humdrum circumstances. I have hopes that will lead me into a deeply fulfilling life, chock-full of love and beauty and continued hope and inspiration. ❤️‍🔥—Y.B.D.