I was on a spiritual high as I said goodbye to my dear friends in India, feeling grateful and blessed after three magical weeks of teachings, temples, prayer, and devotion. Hugging, promising to be back soon — I heard something hit the floor.
I looked down and saw half of my Cartier Love bracelet lying at my feet.
My heart skipped a beat. Not because of the price tag. Because it was my talisman.
How could a bracelet held together by screws just fall from my wrist? Immediately, I panicked. This was not a good sign.
I had bought the iconic bracelet — the symbol of love — while I was working at Cartier. I was considered fortunate; very few were allowed to purchase due to high demand. I chuckled to myself, deliberating whether I should pass. There was no special someone. No partner, no lover.
I wanted a love story to go with my Love bracelet.
So I thought of the fairy tales I read growing up. Those magical tales filled with romance and forevers. I imagined my consort gifting the bracelet as a declaration of love, tenderly turning the golden screws, sealing our hearts for eternity.
But I was widowed and divorced — convinced that love was simply not in my future. Certain I was burning off karma from a past life.
And yet. I still hoped that someone held the key to unlocking my heart.
I knew better than to keep believing that story. I had left the pages of the past behind and was moving forward. I decided to stop waiting for love to find me — and began connecting with the love already inside me.
Without hesitation, I bought the bracelet as a gift to myself.
Turning the screws, I made a vow: to wear it as a daily reminder to love myself. Because you can’t give or receive love until you love yourself — all of your perfectly imperfect parts.
As I picked the bracelet up from the floor in India, I finally understood why it had fallen.
I no longer needed it.
All the love I will ever need is already right here, inside of me.
