l was laying here tonight looking at this lovely canvas my friend/neighbor Laura gave to me awhile back … it’s covered with little phrases like “Unleash Your Joy,” “Embrace Your Truth” and “Trust Your Creative Spirit.”
The one that struck me tonight, however, was “Collect Moments of Kindness.”
I had obviously read it before, but I was always skimming over it too quickly… thinking it was referring to spreading kindness to others, or acknowledging the kind gestures that have been directed at me. But it doesn’t say either of those things. It says to collect them.
Now, I’ve never been much of a collector. Growing up my friend Katie collected Precious Moments figurines, another friend collected porcelain china dolls, but I never had a desire to have a curio cabinet filled with only one thing.
I prefer things that are mismatched. Unique. Eclectic.
But moments of kindness… that is something of which I could become a collector. It’s stunning for me to realize that the concept isn’t just a given, that it has to be a conscious choice, but it does. I am a woman who has been gifted with more kindnesses than I could ever keep track of in my lifetime. Some have been huge gestures, some have been accidental, some have been material, some have been moments that could only be seen with the heart. I have been given the smallest of words that have filled me up and spilled over into every aspect of my life… kindnesses that could not be contained.
The question is, did I choose to accept them, acknowledge them and then let them go… awaiting the next kindness to befall me? Or did I collect them? Do I still have them stored in my curio cabinet where, when I have a day that needs something beautiful to happen, I can pull out the memory to admire it and appreciate it as though it was just given that day?
I’ve decided to become a collector. Don’t get me wrong… I am constantly and abundantly blessed by unexpected and undeserved kindnesses all the time. But I realized today that when things are difficult – when one thing after another pops up and some new thing goes wrong – all I have to do is stop in the middle of the madness and view my collection. Nothing new has to happen to make things better. Nothing has to change… I just have to look at what I already have.
I have a collection of kindnesses that constantly remind me how much my blessings far outweigh anything else that may come along. How can I have a bad day when my collection stacks the deck in my favor?
So tell me, are you going to choose to be a collector?
I LOVE this!!! This is beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this!! Thank you so much for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thing to begin collecting. Never thought of that before. Thanks for your insight.
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Such a lovely perspective! Makes me want to be a collector too. :)
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Sorry. That was me.
ReplyDeleteSouthern Gal
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The collections of the heart are most rare, sweet friend. I believe on Peter Pan they're referred to as your "happy thoughts", and they are capable of making you fly. It is those unexpected and collected moments of kindness that make one's heart soar. May you feel the breeze on your cheeks as you collect, dear one. May all of us come along for the ride...for this is a gift, and we appreciate you.
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Sara,
ReplyDeleteI came across you by accident some time ago. Today is my birthday and I think this post is the best gift I could have gotten! I will begin my collection today, just wish I would have started years ago. Thank you for your posts.
Colleen
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Sara,
ReplyDeleteI adore you. My prayers and my heart are with you.
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Once again, you MUST write a book when you are feeling better. Seriously. You make me smile.
ReplyDeleteI've never been much of a collector either, but I'm starting now.....
ReplyDeleteRecent blog:=- Moon over Miami our backyard.....
My Jon and Ritchie collection is just getting started..... :*
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful message...thanks
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your blog. I love the way you say things and your perspective. It is uplifting to me. A principal I once worked for encouraged everyone to purchase some sort of pretty container that could sit on a desk or table and fill it with "at a girl's" - compliments that you had received. We were to write them on 3x5 cards (include source and date)and store them in the container . Her thought was if you were having a hard day and things weren't going well and you needed a boost to your self confidence, take a moment and read through them to remind yourself of good things. I think from this point forward I will tweak my collection to reflect moments of kindness instead of "at a girls". Thank you for a better perspective. :)
ReplyDeletePrayers, blessings, and collections full of kind deeds - I send to you, dear sweet Sarah.
ReplyDeleteRecent blog:=- Honey Do
sara, it's so great to hear from you. i loved this post! (do i say that every time) i like the idea of really collecting them/cherishing them instead of just remembering that they happened. as you know, i've needed to be able to pull from those myself in order to make it through some days.
ReplyDeleteman, i am praying that the season ends quickly for you!! loving you and praying for you.
This is great! What a great reminder to live intentionally! :)
ReplyDeleteYes! I think I'll name my collection "Gitz bits." Catchy don't you think? If I just tack up all around me all of your bits of Gitzisms I'll have quite a collection :-D You seriously have the best perspective ever. And I sense a little bit of renewal or energy coming through and I pray that is truly the case. Love to you! Smooches to Riley.
ReplyDeleteI love to read your posts. They are always so inspiring. Thank you. laurie
ReplyDeleteThis really has to be right up there with one of my favorite posts!! I LOVE the concept. Just like you, I have never been a collector of stuff, but will start my collection now...and I love the fact that I won't have to dust it! ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a better world this would be to have just a small portion of your outlook on life and people. You truly are a remarkable lady. May the good Lord continue to bless and protect you.
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Thank you. I was having a bit of a rough day. This was just what I needed :) I have been so blessed to have a ton of kindness bestowed upon me in recent months. I just needed to remember.
ReplyDeleteOkay I like what Vicky said...Gitz Bitz...that's what I'm collecting already. You are mentioned in our house many times a week. And not just for prayer. We throw out some bit of wisdom or encouragement you've passed along. I never thought of it before but yes, I'm collecting Gitz Bitz...love to you Sweet one...and thank you for pouring into my life.
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Collections of kindness. A beautiful idea Gitz.
ReplyDeleteMemories of kind acts are best stored in our hearts. I have a collection of smiles in mine, with room for many more.
Love your thoughts and all of the comments as well. And think a collection of kindnesses is an awfully good idea.
ReplyDelete"Do I still have them stored in my curio cabinet where, when I have a day that needs something beautiful to happen, I can pull out the memory to admire it and appreciate it as though it was just given that day?"
ReplyDeleteI was recently thinking about your last post and what you wrote me back. I was also thinking of your saying "choose joy." I think in the hard times you not only have to choose joy but you have to sort of dig for it. When those dark times hit you really have to work hard to find that joy. I think collecting kindness is another way to dig up that joy when you really need it most. Thanks for the great reminder.
You're right, Samantha... our attitudes, like everything that is important in life, requires work on our parts. Even when we don't feel like it :)
ReplyDeleteI love reading through the comments, too. People always bring such great insights.
ReplyDeleteThat's the great thing about heart storage, it never gets too full :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, that is just too fun. And I love knowing that I get to "be at" your house in one way or another. :) Tell "The Husband" hi for me.
ReplyDeleteHappy to help. ;) Hope today is a better one for you.
ReplyDeleteToo kind of you. I can have a good outlook because I have great people in my life [including the ones that come to this blog] that remind me of how blessed I am.
ReplyDelete:) Anything to keep you from having to do more housework, friend!
ReplyDeletethanks, laurie
ReplyDeleteThat's FANTASTIC!!! And really funny. :) It makes me think, when I get back to regular blogging, that I need to do something titled, Gitz Bits, just not sure what that might be yet... but you'll get full credit. :)
ReplyDeleteliving intentionally is what it always boils back down to, isn't it?
ReplyDeletethanks, sheryl... hope things are improving on your end as well...
ReplyDeletethanks, neas. i can feel them all.
ReplyDeletethat's a great idea from your principal, and am glad you can put your own spin on it now! makes me smile thinking of you adding to that collection. :)
ReplyDeleteHey, Ruthie. Thanks for the comment :) Keep your chin to the wind...
ReplyDeleteAnd what could be kinder than reminders of Bon Jovi...
ReplyDelete[did you get a Richie doll yet???]
Never too late to start...
ReplyDeleteI'll put you in charge of finding and agent and a publisher and then we'll talk. ;)
ReplyDeleteWas thinking about your littlest one the other day... has she finally gotten used to her big girl bed yet?!?!?
Thanks, Aub. Good to see you here as always.
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated Birthday, Colleen!!! That's the great thing about this collection... if you can remember the kindness it can still go in the collection. :)
ReplyDeleteI can soar because you all are along for the ride, and keep pushing me along.
ReplyDeletePraying for your father in law... hope the surgery went well.
good... I think the world will be better off the more collectors there are :)
ReplyDeleteHey, girlie... just an FYI, if you delete the word "Guest" from the box and put your name in it should show up for you :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad! I really don't know why I'd never thought about it that way before now...
ReplyDeleteI agree!! :)
ReplyDelete"So tell me, are you going to choose to be a collector?"
ReplyDeletesheesh. i am now!
gitz - are you tired of me telling you yet how much i love, love, love your perspective in life. i love how you think. how you choose to think. thank you for sharing that with us, so well, like you do. i learn so incredible much from you.
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