We often quote lines from movies in our home. 

It can be quotes from one we saw when we were kids ourselves, current movies and children’s movies that we have seen. 

How does a quote stick in our mind?

It could be that the movie has been seen dozens of times or made an impact on our lives. 

Perhaps the feeling at the time we watched the movie is a part of why we remember so well. 

Do you have a movie quote that has come into your mind? 

If not, here are a couple to get things started. 

Just keep swimming. 

Hold onto your lifeline, gents, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!

We need a bigger boat. 

And the one that brings me to today.

What’s all this? What’s all this?  

Do you remember?

Do you remember what movie this line is from? 

Let me help with the source. 

This is from the movie Mary Poppins when Mr. Banks is looking around at a big hullabaloo of activity in the house.  

People are popping out of chimneys. Then they are dancing with others and children in the house. 

It’s a surprise for Mr. Banks as he sees all this commotion and he asks this question many times to those spinning and clapping around him. 

Are you with me? 

Ok. Great!  Let me add one more piece.

This movie is also one that brings grand smiles and a tapping foot. 

When we saw this movie with our son, it felt like the excitement was new again. 

What about now?

There are times when this line comes up as I look around my home. 

What’s all this sums up the way I feel when I look at all the stuff nestled onto shelves or stored for future use. 

Let’s look at a part of one shelf in our house. 

What do you see? 

I can tell you right away what my eyes go to first. 

A painting

That painting on top is an original from a friend who dropped it off to me in her last months of fighting cancer. 

It was a thank you and yet I feel like I was the one always thanking her. 

Ok, whoosh.  That was a big start! 

Now, what comes next?

Let’s stick with this and go to the little red device a few shelves down.  

This, my friends, is the first communication device that our son used as he found another way to express what he needed, wanted, looked for and grinned about. 

The fact that teams of people worked with him for years to find what he preferred is also a big factor into why this is on the shelf. 

Now, there is a question that comes up to me occasionally. 

Do I really need all of this?  

Good question and that leads back to what’s all this and perspective. 

Need?  No.

Do I like to look at the things I am working to remember what the most important things are? 

Yeppers. 

Final items

And that brings me to the final items that I am drawn to each time. 

Books.  

I know!  Books on a shelf?  Novel idea, right?

These are the books that I read and read again.

What are they about?  Let’s take a closer peak to find out. 

The big black book on the top right shelf is about genealogy and finding where I come from.  

A resource like this is invaluable to me. 

There are books from Louis L’Amour about cowboys that take me on a wild gallop with the quick read.

I have found that reading and learning about other points of view is important, so I have many books to bring that to me. 

There are ones about hands from who has come before, looking at all sides when working with others and some journals that I wrote to create plans and goals alongside journals of family members and what they hoped to remember. 

All of this is there, and more, on the shelf. With me asking what’s all this once in a while. 

Means something

And then I realize that all of this means something. 

A memory, a reason to keep working towards becoming, a focus for the day. 

Do you have a shelf like this in your space? Are there moments when you spin around and tap your foot to ask the same question? 

Is there meaning and hope showing for you? 

There is a final thing that comes into my sight as you work on these questions. 

Do you see that small bird up top?  

That is one of the simplest ways for me to remember to look up, say hello to something and someone new and to pause along with the busy days.  

Can you imagine who showed me how to do that? 

Well, lots of people and yes, that Tall One.  

Birds were part of his days and he always waved and said hi, hi!  

Their quick movements were a happy surprise for years. 

Perhaps that is the thing to hold onto as the whirlwind of days continues. 

Find something that helps you pause and look up.  Even when there are surprises and things that are not understood. 

Look for that around you, my friends.