My mom & dad grew up during the great depression. A time when things weren't wasted. Everything had value. If someone could use it for anything, you didn't discard it. Recycling & repurposing was mandatory, not a fad. We moved a lot growing up and with each subsequent move, a little more of my childhood disappeared. When my father passed away (I was 14), there were 2 younger siblings in the home. My mom didn't drive, didn't know how to write a check, and was tossed into a world she wasn't prepared for. She had been a traditional homemaker her entire life. So, she took jobs working in daycare, cooking, and doing alterations. Things she had great skill in. I was the eldest in the home, so as soon as I got my license, I was the family chauffer. At 14, I learned to write checks. At 15, I was working 2 jobs and going to high school. I wasn't afforded the opportunity to go to college, but I'm a lifelong learner. I read a lot. I love making friends. As an adult, I began "collecting" pretty things. Things that reminded me of my childhood. Then going down rabbit holes learning about the things I collected ended up being addictive. Now, I'm in the "letting go" season of life. I don't want my kids to be burdened with the removal & disposal of things they find no value in. So I'm making other people happy (giving it away). I'm also archiving anything that will fit on the bed of a scanner. THAT will be my legacy. A growing museum. And people can use all the digital assets in any way they choose. I try to share tidbits of interesting history and love hearing insights and perspectives on the history (in your eyes). My mom raised me to be creative and explore any form of art that tickles my fancy. And I have and will continue to do so. I hope to retire soon and that will afford me more time to enjoy the arts and creative expression. Right now, it's working full time in a manufacturing plant, selling things online, and managing 2 skool communities. My hands are full (but my heart is full as well).

I am listening to Justin Prince "Be the One" and am inspired - One thing that Justin suggest is to Update your identity. We have a choice to change our identity as much as we would like to do so. These are the steps that he suggest to do when "updating your identity" Here is the Exercise that he suggests: What are 3 words that are aspirational discriptions of who you want to be. What you would like people to say of you. Write them down. 1. lean into those words. Be those words. Dont become but be. How would they respond, speak what would they do, what wouldnt they do. Treat these 3 words as your new identity. Be that person. Be the one that updates your identity.