Love Your Stuff
Recently I wrote that I love my things, but my things don’t love me back. (The Things I Love)
And I do love my stuff. But I often find myself minimizing my stuff. You know, pretending that I don’t care about it or that I only bought it because it was on sale – the kind of thing you say because you don’t want to seem to be too boastful about all your stuff.
And something happened a couple of days ago that left me thinking about loving my possessions.
We went to one of our numerous county fairs. It was incredibly hot for September and the fair was crowded. And since it was the last day, most of the events were over. My husband and I were trying not to eat too much junk. Given all of that, we were not exactly having a good time. I was cranky and sweaty, miserable and complaining mightily to my equally miserable husband. I mean, for God’s Sake, even the Apple Fritters tasted horrible. So there I was, visibly gaining weight by the second right through my sweat on food that didn’t even taste good!
I stopped off at the restroom. Now restrooms at the county fairs can be nasty places, although this one wasn’t too too awful. They have an attendant making sure that people flush and clean up and not make a mess because for some reason, people are disgusting at the fair. (Perhaps because they are hot and as cranky as heck?)
Well, I managed not to have a melt-down in the hot restroom and as I was washing my hands, I watched a young girl and her mother. I would guess this girl was maybe eleven or so – not a little child but not a teenager either. That awkward age. I love that awkward age, by the way – those kids are unbelievably interesting, if anyone ever bothers to listen to them.
Anyhow, this young girl was changing her shirt, right in the center of the restroom. Because she had bought a little top and wanted to wear it immediately.
And here is what she said – on that miserable steaming day in that putrid bathroom:
“Oh my God, Mom. It’s perfect! I love it! I LOVE it!!!!
This was a black racerback tank top with a heart or rainbow or some other trivial design.
And the girl was right.
It was perfect.
BECAUSE she loved it.
I went out and rejoined my husband and he bought me a gajillion-calorie frozen cappuccino.
And I felt a lot better.
I went home and gave a little extra love to some of the things I love: my shower, my aromatic shampoo, my hairdryer, my makeup, my pantry, my air conditioning, my comfortable flipflops.
And I put on a black racerback tank top.
Today, for my daily tip from Theo on Twitter, I posted:
- Posted in: Advice ♦ Humor
- Tagged: appreciation, fairs, twitter
notquiteold 
Why do we do that? We also minimize our accomplishments and skills along with our stunningly gorgeous shoes!
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I’m working on a little horn-tooting post too!
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You are so right. We are our own worst enemy. But not any more. I love my unicorn collection!
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Is very nice words you saying Kate well everything in life have theirs
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Well as for me is very good to do it because so many people out there don’t know what there life will be thank you and how are you doing Kate?
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Yes, learning to graciously accept a compliment is a struggle for me, too. But, i’m Learning. If someone offers a kind word, the least I can do is to say thank you … and not minimize their observation. Good reminder, Nancy. Thank you.
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If we are lucky enough to have something new to love, we should not be ashamed of it.
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Hello JanBeek, how are you doing nice to see hope you are good
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I’m very good, thanks. As I like to tell my daughter when she asks, “I’m fine as frog’s hair!” That’s pretty fine! And you?
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Nice to hear from you.. you do have lovely profile picture cute smile
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Hello JanBeek, how are you doing today hope you had lovely day
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Well, hello again! 🤗 Nice hearing from you. Have a great day yourself! 🌺👌🏽
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Hello Jan, thank you and hope you are having a lovely day
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I love it!
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Can’t live without nice shampoo and conditioner and a decent sized shower. Love this post.
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Thanks. Yes on the shampoo and conditioner. And moisturizer and facial cream. And makeup and perfume. And you could have a party in my shower. And I’m not embarrassed by it.
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Test
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That is very nice of you Barbara nice words you saying
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I love my stuff too and get annoyed when I am made to feel bad about loving my stuff, it’s my stuff and I can love it if I want too.
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I also love my stuff. I love my dolls,all of them from the expensive ones I treated myself to, the ones given to me for birthdays and Christmas, the ones I sat up half the night to bid on and the ones that have been with me since childhood, I am lucky to have them and I certainly wouldn’t belittle them by pretending that I wasn’t proud of them. If people think that is stupid or weird or that I waste my money that’s their problem.
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Good point! I always come up with that “it was on sale” line too, even if it wasn’t. I don’t want to seem boastful or vain. But you’re right…there’s nothing wrong with admitting that we love something we have and that it brings us joy!
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a31770 : moi je t aime pas
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You are right! When I get a compliment on something new, I usually say, “Oh, it was on sale!” Today I received a new pair of jeans I ordered from Macy’s and I love them! I am glad your day at the fair turned out well.
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Nancy, from a non-dual perspective there are no things. There’s just the unformed, energetic flow of life — which also includes our thoughts apropos ownership. In that space — which I’m not asking anyone to accept — there is only this moment and therefore issues of ownership cannot or do not arise. Blessings. — Julian
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Really nice..thanks for sharing
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…because life is short. Love & enjoy!
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i totally agree with you that we sometimes minimize the true value of things just because we forget that true value or just faking reasons not to love our things anymore cuz we humans love new things and always wait for them.
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I’ve gotten rid of so much stuff over the past year because of downsizing that I should really love the stuff I have left. Unfortunately, that isn’t true. Too many decisions were made on what we had room for, what would fit and what would be most useful. The stuff I love that I still have gets lots of loving and I am hanging on for dear life.
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Lately I have been loving my stuff that’s not even new. Things I bought years ago and didn’t have time to enjoy are giving me pleasure as new treasures.
Your story reminds me that it’s OK to appreciate our stuff.
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I love your post!
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This is very insightful and I love how you were able to take such a seemingly unimportant experience and turn it into a lesson, making it even more important than it would seem to be. It is true that we tend to talk down about the things that we love as a way to not make ourselves seem selfish.
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Thank you for this essay. We’ve all been there, at the fair, with the stuff. I love the story of the girl with the new top. I thought as I grew older I would take less interest in my stuff but I still treasure clothing, books, anything colorful, and some cooking pots I have not used lately. I know I will die and somebody else will have my stuff. But in the meantime it’s mine and I enjoy it.
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I seriously love your post. It honestly is how I am. I always buy things on sale and I appreciate them for what they are.
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Don’t worry ,it will one day pay you back
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Great readingg
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