Happy Sunday! 🍁

When I was a kid/teen, I loved collecting things. Mini Smurf figures, books and magazines, Girl Scout badges, and rocks, leaves, and other things I found in the woods of my backyard. Some I spent money on, and others, my time, energy, effort, and curiosity.

I’m writing this from San Francisco where I came to see an exhibit at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, or SFMOMA. The exhibit was co-curated by Kim Namjoon, the leader of BTS. I know, I’m annoying, but bear with me because there’s a lot to think about here. Besides his talent as an artist, he began collecting art after another member of the group, Kim Taehyung, suggested they go to a museum together. He was hooked.

Who knew that that museum visit in 2018 in Chicago, would put him on a different stage in 2026 where he would tell a room full of press people that he felt a little embarrassed because “this collection is a pretty long introduction of myself.” And looking at it, it reinforced things that I believed about him, and helped me to discover new things as well.

As I sit reflecting on the past two days I went to the exhibit, it made me think about the things that I currently collect (journals, pens, BTS merch, books from my travels, and more), and wondered if you would want to play along as well. Maybe ask yourself a few questions about your collections. Like me with Namjoon, you may rediscover the things you know about yourself, and discover new things you didn’t realize.

What do you find yourself collecting? What are you drawn to?

When you look at the things you’ve collected, both individually and as a whole, what does it tell you about who you are, or even just the thoughts and words that come to mind?

Did your collection start out by intentionally wanting to collect something? Or did you just keep accumulating things until they became one?

How have the things you’ve collected over the years changed? Did their meaning change?

I do think that the things that we surround ourselves with says a lot about us. Right now, much of my stuff is mostly telling me to find it a new home as it’s turning from collection to clutter. And that’s says something too.

I hope that whatever you collect is bringing you joy, and like many books I’ve had, as well as a teacup collection, you’ll know when it’s time to let it go. Although as my mother who is reading this can tell you, I will never be over losing my Girl Scout sash with all my badges.

Positively yours,

Pebbles 💜

🚘 Meet the hospital valet bringing hope to patients.

📚 Eleven-year-old Nehemiah logs over 100 hours reading to shelter dogs.

💃🏾🕺🏾Not your traditional daddy-daughter wedding dance!

Just thought I would share the book I’m reading and picked up for my plane ride.

“The Kohs, their friends, relatives, and even their foes move in and out of each other’s lives as they navigate new courses across the years, always nursing the almost all-consuming faith that education will lead the next generation to success and security.” (Cardinal Publishing)

If you are in the Boston area, Min Jin Lee will be at the First Parish of Cambridge Meeting House, in conversation with Ilyon Woo. You can get tickets here.