Browsing around a thrift store, one of my favorite activities, a small bluebird caught my eye. It was a little ugly but made out of cast iron and had a price tag of only one dollar. I knew it was mine.

At the house, I sat her on the railing opposite my other cast-iron bird. How proud I was of my great find. But her shabby baby blue paint job made her look pitiful, so I hit the high spots with sandpaper. She looked more authentic but still did not meet her capabilities. After searching for and failing to find paint stripper in my garage, I purchased a can. Twenty dollars later, she fits in with her neighbor and looks royal while enjoying the sun.

Sharing this story with you today makes me smile at the many times I’ve bought a bargain only to spend double or triple its worth to get it fixed. Or, how many dollars have I spent on lotions and serums only to have the same wisdom wrinkles on my face in the mirror?

Is it a bargain or an intelligent purchase if I don’t need it, it doesn’t work, I have to repair it, or I never use it? Probably not.

But Susie, my now blackbird, makes me smile. She looks so regal, and I only spent $21.00 plus tax, bringing her to her full potential. She makes my heart sing sweeter and only cost me one dollar. Ha.

Is seeing improvement or feeling accomplishment why people buy and restore old cars, flip houses, make quilts, keep a clean home or garage, and pull weeds? It could make their heart sing sweeter.

We need our hearts to sing sweeter.

Keep that thought because today is National Flag Day, and for most Americans, there is something or everything great about our Red, White, and Blue. It has history and significance. We put it up; we take it down; we never let it touch the ground. We give it love and care even when it’s old and tattered. Thankfully, we see it flying in ordinary and unexpected places, and it makes our hearts sing sweeter. For sure, it is the root of my gratitude.

On this fine June 14th, as you go about your life, smile at the inconsistent and illogical things you do, but never underestimate the value of what makes your heart sing sweeter—maybe it’s something grand like our flag or a discarded one-dollar cast iron bird who now has a name and a home.

Until the next time: Live while you live.

Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of “My Clients…My Teachers,” and the blogger and writer of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.

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