Ridvan celebrates Baha’u’llah’s time in 1863 in the garden of Ridvan in Baghdad when He publicly declared His station as a Manifestation of God. The Ridvan Festival is 12 days long and is also the time of year when Baha’is elect their governing bodies.
Maya kindly agreed to tell us a bit more about her e-cards but first, here’s a small sampling of what Near&Dear offers (be sure to click on each image to see how it is animated):
I am a global citizen whose journey has taken me across continents – from Boston, America to the Australian island of Tasmania and the picturesque shores of Aotearoa New Zealand. From a young age, I had a belief in the oneness of all of humanity and exposure to people and places across the globe. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and a culture that treasures community, I found inspiration for a digital greeting card business that could connect people across borders, one card at a time.
Can you tell us a little bit about your ecards?
I wanted to create digital cards that were uplifting, classic, beautiful, and infused with a global perspective that reflected diverse cultures from around the world. Near&Dear cards highlight virtues, warm wishes and supportive messages and showcase a diversity of natural and cultural elements.
What inspired you to create them?
Having lived oceans away from family and friends for most of my life after my family moved, I understand how hard it can be to keep in touch when living physically far from loved ones. Sending a letter from Tasmania to Boston for instance, can sometimes take 4+ weeks in the mail, even in 2024!
Combining my love for digital design, culture and the joy of connecting people, I founded Near&Dear.
Could you tell us about the spiritual principles that inform your work and your ecard business?
Near&Dear’s mission is to strengthen the ties that bring us together and make us human. We want to be a celebration of cultural diversity and the shared experiences that unite us. We incorporate values in everything we do, especially in the messages we include in our cards. Some of the driving values behind Near&Dear are: empowerment, upliftment, the dignity and innate potential of every human being, connection, enthusiasm, and accessibility. We want to make sure that every card shows respect, love and honor to the person receiving it. We hope our cards resonate with people on a deeper level, enhancing their sense of love and connection with each other.
Thank, Maya, for taking the time to share this with us!
In her innermost heart, Sonjel is a stay-at-home parent and a bookworm with a maxed out library card but professionally she is a museologist with a background in English Literature. She currently lives on Prince Edward Island, an isle in the shape of a smile on the eastern Canadian coast. Sonjel is a writer who loves to listen to jazz when she's driving at night.
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