“Gonna walk this road
See where it leads
Gonna bless the flowers
Gonna bless the weeds
Gonna stay together
Nothing's gonna pull us apart
Gonna walk this road and mend each others hearts.”
–Eric Bibb
*names have been changed
Even if his checkout line is a little longer, I always choose this particular bagger’s lane. This conscientious young man reminds me of a former special education student who brightened my first year of teaching. If I needed to move a chair, *Dan was there, refusing to let me lift a finger. If I was about to open a window, Dan was quick to say, “Let me do that for you, Miss Macy.” If he heard I was having car troubles, he’d offer to take a look during his lunch hour. Amazingly, Dan offered the same kindness to all his teachers and fellow classmates. Dan struggled with academics, but in altruism, he excelled.
This particular bagger resembles Dan in looks, but especially in mannerisms. The first time he bagged my groceries, I could see he was cut from the same cloth as my former student – he was a helper too.
“Hello,” said the young man as I pulled up my cart.
“How are you today?” I asked.
“Doing pretty good,” he said with a slight slur and a big smile.
As the man carefully bagged my items, he leaned against the end of the checkout stand to support his uneven posture.
We chatted about the heat and the cat treats I’d purchased as he filled my cart filled with bags. When he got to the two last bags, I watched curiously as he gently hung them in an unsuspecting place. A few inches below the cart handle were two tiny metal rungs just big enough to hold a bag.
“Wow! That’s a clever idea. I’ve never seen anyone do that before,” I commended.
My 13-year-old daughter’s head quickly turned from the row of celebrity magazines to see what all the fuss was about. Her face showed equal surprise. “That is a good idea!” she complimented the man.
The customer behind us peered around his loaded cart and nodded. “Hmmmm … that’s new to me,” he agreed.
Even the unsmiling cashier stopped ringing up items to look up. “That *Steve,” she said flatly, “He comes up with some good ones.”
And that’s when I turned and looked at Steve.
It was his moment … and he was shining in his moment.
“Can I borrow your idea sometime?” I asked the beaming young man.
Steve nodded enthusiastically, “Sure. Just be sure to get the bag right on the hook—and nothing too heavy,” he advised.
As my daughter and I pushed our cart away, I glanced back at Steve. He was still shining. He was still feeling his moment. Please never let me be too hurried, too distracted, or too impatient not to notice these things, I prayed in my head. I decided the best reminder would be a picture; I could make it my screensaver.
When I got to my car, I snapped this photo. Suddenly, three words came to mind: low-hanging fruit.
In the business world, the term typically means a quick fix that produces ripe, delectable results or a target that’s easy to achieve.
Yet, there is low-hanging fruit in everyday life too.
It's in welcoming faces, accepting voices, and loving touches.
It’s in quiet acts of generosity that seek no recognition.
It’s in heartfelt conversations, sustained eye contact, and lingering hugs.
It’s in the sky and the clouds and the birds and the wind.
It’s in the songs on the radio; it’s in our loved one’s laughter.
It’s in handwritten notes and handpicked flowers.
It's in the words, “Have a nice day,” as you leave the building.
When you notice and acknowledge the low-hanging fruits of everyday life, gratitude washes over you and has the potential to spread to those around you, creating positive results.
But when you neglect to see the low-hanging fruit – perhaps due to hurry, impatience, over-commitment, need for control, perfection, distraction, exhaustion, or stress – you’re more likely to focus on what is wrong. This focus often results in complaining, criticizing, self-absorption, hostility, and despair, which also have an impact on those around you, but it is negative rather than positive.
But awareness is a game-changer.
Awareness is a life-changer.
Once your eyes have noticed ripe fruits, you can’t help but look for more.
Since spying those bags and witnessing Steve’s reaction, I’ve been on a mission to look for the low-hanging fruit in everyday life. Educator and poet Glenis Redmond has name for this life-changing practice. She calls it “cataloging beauty.” Let her powerful, poetic truths soak in for a moment:
“I am not against critique, but the world's need to nick pic everything is a dis-ease. What I crave is holiness. We are so far away from the heart, when only the head leads with only what is wrong. How about the million beauties you walked by today and did not see? Name them. The world needs/ I need your catalog of beauty. What is your catalog of beauty?”
Thank you, Glenis. I have begun my catalog of beauty:
I found it in the handwriting of my 6-year-old nephew’s thank you card.
I found it in my father’s birthday candles–seventy-seven years blessed–and the cherry pie my husband made for him.
I found it in a flour-dusted counter top with apron-clad girls being supervised by a kitten in a fruit basket.
I found it in a colorful butterfly that followed me on my walk.
I found it in a new friendship, clearly orchestrated by something far greater than either of us.
I found it in two rescue cats, one big, one little, that decorate our windowsills.
I found in the voice of my daughter while being accompanied by her three best friends.
In just a few days, this eye-opening practice has confirmed exactly how I want to live my life. I refuse to waste any more precious time cataloging my gripes and grievances. Instead, I want to catalog what is good and holy and helpful and true.
Because the truth is this:
The country needs
The community needs
The man who bags my groceries needs
My family needs
I need
my catalog of beauty.
And I know exactly where to find it.
Life’s divine beauties are right under my nose, ripe and ready, just waiting to be noticed.
I shall notice. I shall bring attention to them. And I shall watch them shine in their moment.
It will be mine too.
******************************************************************
Dear friends of the Hands Free Revolution, what is your catalog of beauty? Where do you find what is good and divine and replenishing? And if you realize you have been focusing too much on negative things, please don't wallow in regret. Today matters more than yesterday … and awareness is everything. May you go through this new day with eyes & heart wide open. It's never too late to begin your catalog of beauty. If you need a visual reminder, the “see flowers not weeds” metal cuff is helping many members of our community focus on what is good. If have joined me on Instagram, be sure and tag me in your beautiful photos that reveal where you find goodness & beauty.
If you have missed my prior announcements about my upcoming speaking events, please see my event page as some ticket links have come available. I will be heading to the Bay Area, Chattanooga, Clarksville (TN), and Mandan. After speaking, I will have a chance to meet each of you and sign copies of my books, HANDS FREE MAMA and HANDS FREE LIFE.
Thank you for walking beside me. This incredible community represents a major section of my catalog of beauty. I cherish you.
Your words, stories and deep sentiment always move and inspire me – us, I guess I should say – and your light always illuminates the exact corner I need to see, but I’d like to remind your readers of something else, your style.
As a writer I know how difficult voice and tone are, and you always are consistent with that, but the tools and devices of language you employ make your message soar. The echoing “I found it in,” the clever twist on low-hanging fruit, thd lack of punctuation in the “I need” poem (if you will), the shape of this piece are all exquisite. I know how difficult all that is, thank you for taking the time for me, us, your faithful readers.
God’s peace, as always, Rachel. Keep shining.
When I complimented “Steve” the bagger, he shined in his moment. When you complimented my words, my style, my tone … you gave me my moment. I shined. And then I cried. You could see, like I did when I looked at my nephew’s thank you card, how much time and thought and love went into my words today. Having you notice these efforts is love to me. It is fuel to my writer’s heart. I have such hopes (and anxieties) about my new book ONLY LOVE TODAY because it is so different than the others. It capitalizes on shared struggles, high hopes, and replenishment in unscripted format and calming tones, much like what is found in this piece. You have steadied a shakiness within me today. That perhaps this type of book — that we cover ourselves in like a warm blanket – is just what we need right now. I am so grateful you took the time tell me what you saw today. It’s going in my catalog of beauty at the top of the page.
Your posts hit home with me every.single.time. I am so thankful for your blog and how you put words to my feelings. Always a good reminder to live a less distracted life and focus more on my kiddos who are growing up so fast right before my eyes. Thank you so much! I can’t wait to read your newest book…..Only Love…… Have a great day!
Thank you, Kim!!! This is just music to my heart. Thank you for letting me know how much my words mean to you. It is everything.
I completely agree!
What a wonderful reminder to notice the little acts of goodness and things of beauty around you. I love the phrase “cataloging beauty” – how wonderful! I also believe that sharing compliments with people around you just spreads the joy in life. And sometimes it’s just what somebody needs to hear. Thanks for such a beautiful post. I’m completely in love with your girls with their kitten in a fruit basket! Adorable.
Thank you, Cathy. How lovely of you! And I am in love with Paisley’s love of the fruit basket too. It delights me.
So true… love your posts! 🙂
Your husband makes cherry pie? WOW that’s awesome!!!!
Hi Tess, I wish every one of my precious readers could come have a slice of my husband’s pie. Once my mom taught him how to make crust, it was all over. His pies are ridiculous. He researched the best coconut custard pie for my birthday and I nearly fell off my chair when I tasted it. It was THAT good!!! 🙂
These are such powerful ideas at exactly the right time for my family. With the start of the new school year, I’ve noticed each of us has a tendency to focus on all the challenges that lie ahead rather than on the beautiful happenings from the day. Thank you for introducing me to idea of cataloging beauty. What a perfect way to refocus our thoughts and experience more gratitude in all the small , often unnoticed delights our family experiences. I deeply appreciate the time you take to write. Your thoughts always inspire me to elevate myself, and that in turn elevates my family. Thank you!!
Thank you, Valena! I appreciate your comment and loving encouragements more than you will ever know!!!
Loved this, Rachel!! Your wonderful writing never fails to hit with the reminder I need to hear
at the perfect time!! As I was looking out the window into my backyard yesterday, I was unhappily wondering how those weeds were able to take over a spot near my pine trees. Then I noticed that in the middle of those weeds where there used to be one lone sun flower, now there were three all facing the sun.
My catalog of Beauty. Thank you Rachel.
Oh Rachel…how I needed your words today. As I drove into work today, I thought about how difficult it is at times to remember to be grateful and not focus on the difficult moments that life can hand over freely. With the new school year upon us and the financial stress of clothes and supplies shopping, the nagging self criticisms that as a working mom you gave your kids the best summer you possibly could, it can be difficult to see the low hanging fruit. But it is there!! The more you notice it the more abundant it becomes. I needed your beautiful words…you are a gift to my day and I thank you. Heather
I think you mean conscientious (acting carefully and thoughtfully) not contentious (acting aggressively and with contention)?
YES!!! Thank you! I love, love, love my brilliant readers who proofread for me and point out my errors so gently! I will make the change ASAP!
Beautifully stated. Yes it’s magical (and science proves it too) that when we share kindness or feel gratitude, it magnifies- for ourselves and toward others. For those who want to catalog their kindness – and teach their kids to do so too – please see our blog and our post regarding kindness journals.
Dear Rachel: Just this morning, I felt the nit-picky coming out……just like Heather did (above) because of the school year, sports, homework, my work, commitments, lack of time, stress…etc……and I thought about it all morning. Then I read this–perfect timing. I will make things better–I need to CHOOSE to make things better by simply seeing things in a different light–and need to be more cognizant of what really matters and appreciate it–not pick it apart. I love your work, your insights, and your honesty. Only love today.
Hi Rachel. Another proofreader here. “Since spying those bags and witnessing Dan’s reaction…” I think you meant Steve?
I love this post! I think my oldest son may be a Dan or a Steve some day and I know he would shine at this kind of recognition! He loves helping people!
YES!!! OH my gosh, whatever would I do without y’all??? Y’all are TOTALLY HIRED as my editors from here on out!!! And big hugs to your helper son. I am happy he’s in the world!
Such a beautiful read as always! My son(13) is a “beauty seeker”. . . He notices things about others when others may overlook. He is finishing up his summer reading and it’s a book “My Life with in Dog years” and his report asked him how he related to the author. He told me he didn’t relate. I told him “yes you do, you see the beauty in things that others don’t see. You would take home a stray dog in a heart beat and make it a pet. You have a love for animals that is so kind and loving. That also shows in your love of your friends and being kind to classmates.” He just beamed! I tell him sometimes he needs to be tougher, and not let anyone walk on him, however in this day and age I’m so proud of how truly kind he is! We will now start Journaling the Beauty so he can read it in the future! Thank you. You ALWAYS hit a homerun!!
This post made me want to read right to the end for a few reasons.
-It is an excellent reminder to look for and celebrate the small things in our lives that oft times do go unnoticed in our ever growing busy days.
-I loved how this little prayer “Please never let me be too hurried, too distracted, or too impatient not to notice these things” was just what I needed today.
-I thought of how much my Dad would have loved and agreed with your ideas. He was the your welcoming face, the accepting voice, the silent generous acts not looking for recognition, the conversation with anyone he met, the handwritten note writer, the handpicker of flowers, the sky, the clouds, the wind and birds were noticed with love by my Dad.
So I thank you for the reminder and for the memories of my Dad they brought back.
I too, like the phrase ‘catalog of beauty’ and want to begin adding to my own catalog of beauty.
Thank you.
Have a nice day Rachel!
I love this, thank you!! I need to start building my catalog right this minute!! Do you mind if I use #catalogofbeauty to label my pics on Instagram?
I think it’s a wonderful idea! I will do the same! Can’t wait to see the this community’s catalogue of beauty! Thank you!
Just when I needed it the most I read this beautiful post. I wish I could put into words how I feel about you. So grateful you are “living out loud” and sharing so honestly, openly and passionately! Before you I would say some of the most inspirational people for me were women like Oprah and Maya Angelou. Not to diminish them in any way but just to provided perspective I find you 10 times more inspirational than anyone else because you are far more personal, honest, raw, brave and generous with what you share. I cry every time I read something you write! I read what you said above about your new book and I say just keep doing what you have been doing. Follow your heart and you can’t go wrong! Thank you and my all your dreams comes true! <3
You rock friend!!
Nice post. If you could use reusable bags it would be much better for our planet.
Beautifully depicted and said… Thank you for new food for thought and action.
Such a heart-felt post, Rachel. And a wonderful reminder as I go into the weekend to slow down and just … be. Thank you!
Hello Rachel! I just want to say thank you for your work. I learned of you through a friend and I have a great respect for your writing and your insight. I am an atheist and a humanist and I particularly appreciate that your writing is inspirational and involves love and kindness and reflection without mentioning a god or using a religious slant. I find that very inclusive and welcoming. That kind of writing is difficult to find. I’m just curious to know if that’s intentional or if it’s just how you write. Either way, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Hi Liz, I hope you don’t mind, but I took a screen shot of your comment — it is going into my special album of comments and encouragements that I refer to often for fuel. You touched on something very important and intentional that I do in my writing. In fact, when I signed my first book contract with a Christian publisher, I had to first make it clear that I wanted my message to be inclusive to people of all backgrounds, races, and religions. And if I could not be myself in this regard, I would need to go elsewhere. I won’t bore you with the details, but I will say that at times it has not been an easy stance to take. My publisher has been wonderful. They respect that I share my faith as it relates to my personal journey. Some naysayers are not so kind, criticizing me for not being more religious in my writing or saying something is “missing.” Thankfully my faith is strong and I am quite certain of my purpose each time I sit down to write. You have confirmed that for me. To me, it is what I call a “divine confirmation,” but it is not necessarily something I have to share publicly. In fact, the divine confirmations I receive are often personal and sacred. I will be sharing your comment also with my parents and my literary agent who support me daily on this path I feel called to walk. I am grateful you took the time to write to me. With love and friendship, RMS
Yes, finding beauty and significance in everyday life is a gift, both to us and to those we see it in. So glad you found it in Steve, and thanks for the great idea with the shopping cart!
Hi Rachael,
Great to see Avery playing guitar and singing with her friends! Do you all watch AGT (America’s Got Talent?) This year there are eight young girls in the final twenty-one acts. Two sing and play guitar/ukulale and are twelve years old. I’m sure Avery would love to see them.
This post reminded me of being a “Noticer”. I have learned to be more aware of good/funny things happening in the everyday bustle of life. I’ve been watching two young green heron families (four babies in each nest) grow up in trees at a local park—and I’m always suprised as how people will go about in their own little world and miss the glory and wonder right above them! Ha!
Hi John – my daughter and I watch The Voice, but we haven’t see AGT. Thank you for letting me know about the 8 young girls in the finals. I will have Avery start recording the show so we can watch it together. Thank you for sharing that and also for sharing about the green heron families. When I lived in FL, I was mesmerized by them on my walks. You are a treasure, John Green! So glad you are in this world — and in my world!
Thanks! The same right back atcha!
The final 21 begin this Tuesday for AGT. My favorite is Laura Bretan, the 13 year old opera singer! Grace VanderWall, 12 years old, writes her own songs and plays the ukulele. Lori Hernandez is a 13 year comedian! KD Lynn Roberson is a 12 year old singer with guitar… etc. Can you tell my wife and I (and our two cats) enjoy it?!
Your writing has brought me to tears, thank you for the wonderful reminder to look for all of the beauty in this world. I am excited to focus on all the beauty around me today.
I love this and try to do it regularly! Rock on and keep cataloguing the beauty!
So true. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve been following your blog for a while, but have never commented until today. I loved this post. I was just thinking yesterday about how people often feel the need to criticize to look smart and discerning. If you’re positive and believe in the goodness of the world, you’re seen as naive and simple. How upside down is it? Glad that this is changing and grateful for your lovely posts.
Thank you, Patricia. I appreciate your contribution to this post & am glad to know you are here, walking beside me. XO
As with most of your posts, I needed this one and it came at the very moment I needed it. I think divine intervention is working through you for the benefit of so many! I also have a favorite cashier at Hobby Lobby that I will purposefully wait extra time in line for. He is in his fifties, autistic, personable, thorough and always enthusiastic. He is a breath of fresh air. I made it a point to tell him that he was my favorite cashier the last time I went and I think I saw a bit of a shining moment in his face.
I hope that I can remember to be a noticer more often… I get on a kick and do it for a day or two then get carried away with life and it’s gone again. Then I hop back on the train and start fresh again. I always wish I could be more consistent in this journey. I consider you my guide & teacher. Your post is what gets me back on the train every single time. Even though I wish I could always be steady and consistent, I am not faulting myself because I am doing the best I can. I really think that your writing, your stories, sharing your insights about life is what has gotten me this far. I really compare it to a college course spread out over the last couple years. Thank you for sharing with all of us, it means more than you know 🙂
Thank you. I needed this today! I am wallowing in my self-pity about mundane, non-important, entitled things. I love coming to your blog to help me keep perspective and realize how lucky I am.
Rachel, I am still catching up with your blog but have both of your books. They are incredible. I hope you know what a beautiful person you are. You see the beauty in the simple things in life and you are truly an inspiration.
It is so easy to think about all the negative out there but you remind us of what we know deep down..what matters
What Matters
What matters is not how fast we run
But that we are out there in the sun
What matters is not how in tune we sing
But that our song is simply heard
What matters is not how much we do today
But that we were there with those we love
It all comes back to love
The greatest thing
It is what matters
God bless you Rachel
I had saved this for a time when I could read and absorb it. I had almost forgotten I had saved it in my e-mails. Then I read it today. My husband was robbed at gunpoint this week at his business. Only God’s protective grace kept him from any harm. But it has caused me to focus on the negative-the fearful-the what-ifs. I read this and cried. I am starting my catalog of beauty today and this post is the first thing going into it. God bless you for being so sensitive and available when He nudges you to write exactly what some needy soul like me needs to read. Thanks!
Oh Janie. I am so sorry for what you & your family have been through. I am thankful to be the divine messenger for the hope your heart needed to hear today. Sending my love & my prayers.
Janie, I am so very sorry! You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Yes, Rachel’s site is such a comforting place to come. Take care of yourself and your family.
Talitha