"What does your necklace mean?"
Normally, Target employees are polite but not very chatty, but she had been making conversation for the past few minutes as she scanned flip flops, tennis shoes, and a $9 copy of the second Hobbit movie.
I've worn a necklace to remind me of my New Year's resolutions for 2 1/2 years now, and this is the first time a stranger has ever asked me if it means anything.
Subconsciously, I reached to my neck, sandwiched the small heart between my left thumb and forefinger, and slowly moved it back and forth on its chain.
What does this heart mean? Had I forgotten? Why did I feel a twinge of guilt from this question? How could I summarize what it was supposed to mean to me in just a few sentences to a complete stranger?
"It reminds me to keep my heart in the right place," I responded.
"Cool. That's cool. Have a great day."
I haven't been working too much on my heart lately. The pendant dangles close to my heart and I rarely acknowledge it's there--usually only when it gets tangled in my earring or if it hits me in the nose while I'm in downward dog (it's the exact size as my nostril and if it lodges just wrong . . .). I'm hoping that the end of kids' school, my graduation, and a little more latitude in daily schedules will get me back on track.
My goal for the month of June will be to remember why I wear a heart around my neck and not just inside my chest--"both universal and specific, both spiritual and physical."
And if you see me around, feel free to ask. Next time, I hope to have a better prepared answer.
Normally, Target employees are polite but not very chatty, but she had been making conversation for the past few minutes as she scanned flip flops, tennis shoes, and a $9 copy of the second Hobbit movie.
I've worn a necklace to remind me of my New Year's resolutions for 2 1/2 years now, and this is the first time a stranger has ever asked me if it means anything.
Subconsciously, I reached to my neck, sandwiched the small heart between my left thumb and forefinger, and slowly moved it back and forth on its chain.
What does this heart mean? Had I forgotten? Why did I feel a twinge of guilt from this question? How could I summarize what it was supposed to mean to me in just a few sentences to a complete stranger?
"It reminds me to keep my heart in the right place," I responded.
"Cool. That's cool. Have a great day."
I haven't been working too much on my heart lately. The pendant dangles close to my heart and I rarely acknowledge it's there--usually only when it gets tangled in my earring or if it hits me in the nose while I'm in downward dog (it's the exact size as my nostril and if it lodges just wrong . . .). I'm hoping that the end of kids' school, my graduation, and a little more latitude in daily schedules will get me back on track.
My goal for the month of June will be to remember why I wear a heart around my neck and not just inside my chest--"both universal and specific, both spiritual and physical."
And if you see me around, feel free to ask. Next time, I hope to have a better prepared answer.
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