Meaningful Reminders: The Things We Choose to Keep in Sight

There’s something interesting about the things that become part of the background of our lives.

We walk past them every day. We glance at them while we’re doing something else. We may barely notice them anymore.

And yet, I think some of those seemingly ordinary things can gradually shape us.

Recently, I was reminded of this while watching my birds investigate a painting.

A fun moment in the bird room... and the unexpected inspiration for this reflection.

I had placed a canvas print of one of my paintings in their room. I originally chose it simply because I wanted to bring some color and beauty into the space. My birds already seem to enjoy colorful things around their play areas, so it seemed like a natural addition.

What I didn’t expect was how interested they would be in it.

They kept returning to it, even months after I hung it, exploring it from different angles and investigating the painted grasses.

Watching them was amusing, but it also made me think about something I’ve been doing intentionally in my own life for quite some time:

Putting meaningful reminders where I can see them.

Our surroundings can become gentle reminders of what matters most.

Sheva investigates the painted grasses... apparently convinced there’s something worth exploring.

We often think about reminders as something we have to deliberately stop and read.

But they don’t always work that way. Meaningful reminders can become part of the background of our everyday lives, gently encouraging us even when they aren’t demanding our focused attention.

A photograph can remind us of someone we love.

A Scripture verse displayed on a wall can bring a thought back to mind.

A piece of artwork can remind us of something we experienced, something we believe, or something we’re still hoping for.

Even the objects we choose to keep around us can become associated with particular thoughts and memories.

The reminder doesn’t necessarily have to demand our attention.

Sometimes it’s enough for it to simply be there.

Why I kept this particular painting close

The original painting has a special place in my studio.

It was created during a pivotal period in my life, and it became connected with my return to creating art. Having it where I could see it became a way of remembering not only the experience that inspired it, but also why I had returned to creating art in the first place.

So although I originally brought a canvas print into the bird room simply to make the space more beautiful, I realized that it also gave me another opportunity to keep something meaningful within my everyday surroundings.

And perhaps that’s one reason I’m increasingly interested in the idea of intentional spaces.

Not perfectly decorated spaces.

Not spaces filled with inspirational slogans.

Just places that contain a few things that help us remember what matters.

What are you keeping in sight?

Sometimes the things we surround ourselves with become beautiful reminders of what matters most.

This has made me wonder what each of us might already have around us that serves this purpose.

Maybe it’s something on your desk.

Something hanging on your wall.

A photograph.

A handwritten note.

A book that you return to.

A piece of art.

Or perhaps there’s something you’ve been meaning to put somewhere visible because you know you’ll benefit from seeing it regularly.

It doesn’t have to be dramatic.

Sometimes a small reminder encountered repeatedly can become surprisingly meaningful.

And perhaps the more interesting question isn’t simply:

“What do I want to remember?”

but:

“What could I intentionally place in my everyday environment to help me remember it?”

I’m still thinking about that myself.

And meanwhile, my birds are apparently conducting their own research into the matter.

I’m just not entirely sure what conclusion Sheva has reached about the painted grasses. 😂

Want to explore this reflection more deeply? My latest PepTalk episode takes this idea further as I share the meaning behind the painting and what happened when my birds encountered it. Watch the episode on my Resources page.