Collections

Are you a collector of things? Do you add to your grouping every time you go somewhere new? Are you constantly on the lookout for “the thing” to add to your precious supply?

What is it? Magnets, ornaments, heart-shaped rocks, salt and pepper shakers, mugs, shot glasses, stickers, books, guns? Or is it less material, and your collection is something more like: memories, sweet moments, words, glimmers, hopes and dreams?

Where do you keep your collection? Is it in a cupboard, a jar, a backpack, scrapbook, case, chest, closet, box, your mind, or your heart? Is your collection considered valuable, or just priceless to you?

When we collect things, our brain/mind is always on the lookout for that thing. That can be good for the collecting of the thing, but not for the noticing of other things, moments, or opportunities. If you collect shells, you are looking down at the sand and not out at the horizon and the waves coming in. If you collect magnets, you go straight to the magnet stand in the store and don’t notice the postcards, necklaces, and bin of rocks nearby; and so on. It works the same way if you are working on making change or growing, in some area, you can collect “things” and trick your brain into thinking you are doing real work and making effort. You collect self-help books, go to all the workshops, seminars, classes, and watch every video on the subject you are “working” on. Your brain is convinced that you are doing the work by collecting the material.

Why do we do this? Because real work is hard. Making change is hard. It’s messy, slow, and HARD. Working on work is easy. We collect the things that make our brain convince us that we are doing work. It’s like signing up for an Iron Man and telling everyone about it. You did the “work” of signing up and now you are getting the attention of others; your brain has convinced you that you are working. BUT you haven’t even run, biked, or gone swimming.

True hard work doesn’t feel good. Collecting work materials, that feels good. Hard work feels crappy when you are in it. Adding another layer of supplies to your collection feels way better. The results of the hard work is what you are striving for. The results of collecting will make you feel like you are accomplishing something, with nothing to show for it after all, no real progress or change. Just a collection.

Next time you want to start working on something, make some real change; notice if you are just changing scenery, or are you really working? Are you trying a new trinket shop, trying a new workshop, still doing the same things, collecting the same things, or are you taking to heart and learning from all the things you have acquired?

Nothing wrong with a collection; however, if your intention is to grow, you have to do the actual work. Not work on working; just WORK.