Sacred Cows

​I have my Grandmother’s China, it’s cracked and aged and some pieces are even chipped, but it’s my “fine china” and I tend to use it for dinners and special occasions, and as the mood strikes. I was determined to use it often so it didn’t develop that “sacred” quality, to be more ornamental than useful. I think when we put too much emphasis on saving things for “special occasions” we cheat ourselves from realizing that special occasions are happening all the time.  I find whenever I deem something too precious; I tend to not use it like it could be used. 
As I ponder this, I realize that I have a few “sacred cows” around my home that never get used, a beautiful journal book with gilded edges still empty because I don’t wish to ruin it, handmade writing paper a friend gifted me, clearly too lovely to write on, a hand bound leather book for sketches that I will use when I'm "much better", table clothes as gifts too pretty to get dirty...to my own surprise I realize that list is long. 
How much of our lives do we save for better moments to enjoy them. What parts do we set aside just in case.  It reminds me about something my Grandmother said, that she couldn’t tell her children (or grandchildren) that they did well, because complimenting them would just go to their heads. It’s better to not say anything. At the time, being younger, I knew this to be false, but now I want to shout “what were you afraid of?” “What would have happened?” “If you did say that wonderful thing, that encouragement, what would it have changed for you, for them?”
We so need to use our precious things, our "sacred cows", whenever we can.  We need to share and not save our precious things for a better moment, cause Now is the moment!. We need to say the things we feel, share our pride and let others know our joy. Let's encourage!
​Yes, it will change things. It will make those simple moments memorable special occasions.