Episode 50 - Everyone brings something - You Have Something to Offer

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What Are You Bringing to the Fair? The Tiny Village Post — Part Two

Last week, I shared this month's Tiny Village Post envelope with you—and its fun September theme: 🎡 The State Fair! And I shared the little ADMIT ONE ticket tucked inside.

I love that little ticket because it isn't really an invitation to do something. It's an invitation to show up. To come into the fair and bring whatever you've been growing in your own life. Maybe it's something you've physically made. Maybe it's something you've been learning. Maybe it's something that's been growing quietly inside of you—strength, courage, patience, wisdom, faith, creativity, or even a new dream. Everyone brings something.

Last week, I also shared the little lamb. She looked a little sheepish about putting herself out there. And I think a lot of us understand that feeling. Sometimes we have something we'd like to share, but we're just not quite sure we're ready. What will people think? Is it good enough? Who am I to put this out there? And I loved the reminder that brave doesn't mean you aren't nervous. Sometimes brave simply means: "I'm going to bring it anyway." One little step at a time. So today, I want to finish opening our little Tiny Village Post envelope with you. Because there's more inside—and each little item has a reason for being there.

The Blue Ribbon First, of course, we have to have a blue ribbon. A fair wouldn't be a fair without a few ribbons, would it? But this little blue ribbon isn't really about winning. In fact, I put it in there because I think sometimes we need to be reminded of something that has nothing to do with winning. That little blue ribbon says: 🔵 YOU ARE THE PRIZE. And I really want you to think about that for a minute. You are the prize.

What you put into the world matters. What you create matters. What you contribute matters. But more importantly... so do you. As an individual. it's so easy to connect our worth with what we accomplish. We think we'll feel better when we finish the project. We might think that We will be of worth when we make something beautiful. or someone notices our work. When someone compliments us. When we finally earn that blue ribbon. But what if the ribbon isn't the thing that makes us valuable? What if we already are? What if the things we accomplish are simply expressions of who we are—not the things that determine our worth? What you create matters. What you contribute to your family matters. What you bring to your friendships matters. What you bring to your community matters.

But underneath all of those things is something even more important: You matter. Not because you accomplished something. Not because you made something perfect. Not because someone else noticed. Not because you received a ribbon. Simply because you are you. So when you look at that little blue ribbon, I hope you'll let it remind you: You are the prize. And maybe that changes the way we approach everything else.

Instead of creating so someone will tell us “wow your so good” which then makes us feel that we're good enough... we can create because we have something inside us that wants to come out. Instead of sharing because we need approval... we can share because we have something worth offering. Instead of trying to earn our place... we can simply show up and participate. The Sunflower

This month I also included the print of these sunflowers. 🌻 I couldn't resist including one this month because sunflowers just seem to belong at a September fair. I love their tall golden faces reaching toward the light. And they remind me of something else: Growth takes time. A sunflower begins as a tiny seed. You don't plant it in the morning and have a giant sunflower by lunchtime. It grows little by little. Day by day. And eventually, something beautiful appears that other people can enjoy.

I think we're like that, too. There are things we've been quietly growing that other people may not even see. Strength. Courage. Creativity. Patience. Wisdom. Faith. New ideas. New dreams. Maybe you've been growing something for a long time and you've wondered, "Is anything really happening?" Maybe you're not where you thought you'd be. Maybe you look at someone else's life and think they're already standing tall while you're still just a little seed in the dirt. But please remember: You don't have to be finished to be growing. So when you look at your little sunflower, I hope you'll ask yourself: What have I been growing? And then maybe ask: Am I willing to let it be seen?

You don't have to be the biggest sunflower at the fair. You don't have to be completely finished You don't have to compare your growth to anyone else's. Just keep growing. And when you're ready... share with the world what you've been growing. Don’t wait until your finished …share along the way, because what you share will always help someone else on their onward journey.

The Sewing Machine and the Quilt And then I tucked in a little sewing machine with a quilt. Those two little images carry another reminder I love about the fair. Think about a quilt. It's made from many small pieces. One piece. Then another. Then another. They're assembled over time, with effort, patience, creativity, and probably a little bit of frustration along the way. And eventually those little pieces become something beautiful. We have so many beautiful quilts that were created from my grandmother Hazel. She made everyone a quilt and then more. They are beautiful and a fun reminder of my favorite outfit. Isn't life like that? We sometimes look at someone else's finished quilt while we're staring at our own pile of unfinished pieces. And we think, "I'm not doing enough." "Look how far ahead they are." "Mine doesn't look like that."

But maybe we need to stop comparing... and start celebrating. Every effort is worth celebrating. That little piece you've worked on counts. The thing you learned counts. The project you started …even thought they are not finished counts. The mistake you made and learned from counts. The time you spent caring for someone counts. The courage it took to try again counts. It all counts. You don't have to have the whole quilt finished to recognize that you've been making progress. And you don't have to wait until everything is perfect before you share it. Bring what you've made. Bring what you've learned. Bring what you've been growing. Bring it at whatever stage it is in. Just bring it anyway. Plant the Seed Deeper And finally, there's one more little piece

On the back of the card is a QR code. And that QR code is an invitation to Plant the Seed Deeper and Grow Joy. 🌱. It takes you to a journling page where you can think through a few prompts and gain a new perspective. Now, I my goal is not to have you to simply look at these things and think they're cute. I want them to make you think. I want them to give you a moment to pause and ask yourself some questions. Maybe: What am I growing? What am I second-guessing? What am I waiting to make perfect? What am I ready to bring into the world? You don't have to answer all of them. Just one question is good enough. Because each little question is a seed. And perhaps, if you sit with it for a while, that seed begins to grow.

That's what I love about the Tiny Village Post. It's not just about getting something fun in your mailbox. It's about receiving a little invitation to think differently. To feel more encouraged To perhaps spark your own creativity. Or even just to feel connected to others. Something that arrives at your door and says, "Pause for a minute. There's something here for you." And maybe that's what I love most about the State Fair. Everyone brings something. They show up. They share. They discover. They cheer one another on. They laugh. They taste. They look around and are more observant of what’s around us.. They learn. We even celebrate…we celebrate other’s work…with or without a blue ribbon. So my friend… simply come in. Look around. Be curious. Try something new. Celebrate what someone else has brought. Don't stay in the background. Bring what you've been growing. Bring what you've been learning. Bring what you've been creating. Bring the little bit of courage you have. And if you're still feeling a little sheepish... That's okay. You don't have to become someone else. Someone that is louder. Or that is perfect. You just have to take the next little step. Be brave. Trust yourself. Bring it. Share it. Celebrate it. And most of all... remember: Every effort is worth celebrating. You are the prize. I'll see you in the Tiny Village.