Collection is the act or process of accumulating something.
Items from very inexpensive to extravagant. People collect many different
things. My husband and I are collectors. It is one of the many things we have
in common. For many of our friends and even his co-workers do not understand
the drive behind collecting. The desire to collect can originate in many
different ways. For many collectors, it falls into three categories, childhood
memories and connections. It is the thrill of the hunt for new items. Or the
special meaning or symbolism in the subject of the collection. There are many
benefits to the brain when someone has a collection.
For many collectors, the joy of collecting stems from their
childhood memories. My husband who primarily collects Star Wars action figures
and memorabilia. It first began when he was 4 or 5 years ago when someone gave
him a Ewok playset and the Cantina playset. However. The bulk of his collection
started when he was 17. It’s the memory of getting those playsets as a child
which drives his love of collecting. Many of my collection started when I was a
teenager. My Coca-Cola collection started when I bought a Coca-Cola bottle with
the Argentinean flag on it. It was 1994 World Cup and I thought it was cool.
The one bottle turned into a lifetime collection. I’ve also been a long time
collector of Precious Memories figurines. I collect pieces which are cute or
have a special meaning for me at the time. For instance, one of my favorite
pieces is called “Together is the nicest place to be” and it features a couple
relaxing on the couch. It was given to me by my husband early in our marriage
and it symbolizes exacting how I feel. It does matter what we are doing or
where we are, when my husband and I are together is where I want to be.
Another source of joy of collecting is the thrill of the
hunt. This is particularly true for my husband. There is a local hobby show
called Frank and Sons. It is a large warehouse with individual booths inside
where collectors can browse a wide range of collectibles for sale or even
trade. Usually when a particular action figure is difficult to find in local
retail stores, my husband can go to Frank and Sons and find it. He will look over
the piece with a very critical eye, looking for flaws. There could be flaws in
the paint, in the sculpting, or in the packaging. He’ll look over the figure
while considering the asking price and make a decision about his counteroffer. He
is also really good at bargaining with the seller. After a little back and
forth, he and the seller will come to a deal which sometimes includes another
figure for a lower price. The thrill of looking for the piece, finding the
piece and then negotiating a price and the satisfaction when the piece is
included in the collection is the satisfaction that comes with collecting.
For some collectors the items they collect have a special
meaning or symbolism in their lives. The meaning or symbolism could be what the
animal represents or it could have a connection to a loved one who has passed. I
have many collections which has special meaning or symbolism to me. I recently
started collect owls. In one year, I have quite a collection already. Owls
symbolize wisdom and knowledge. I’ve always loved learning. I continue to teach
myself new things all the time, so the owl seems to fit my personality. I have
also thought owls to beautiful creatures. I’ve also collected wolves since high
school. Wolves are another beautiful and majestic creature. Wolves symbolize a
strong knowledge and instincts about oneself. Like with owls, I have felt a
strong connection with wolves. I also
collect certain animals to represent my children especially my children who
have passed. If you’ve read my blog before you know that I lost three children
to miscarriage or premature birth. Each animal has a special connection to my
children so that I can carry a piece of them with me. It doesn’t matter if
anyone else doesn’t understand the symbolism, I do and it is a comfort.
There are many benefits to the brain when someone collects
items as a hobby. First, collecting builds observational skills. A collector
becomes more cognizant for details and becomes a better finder and seeker for
items. For example, my husband’s ability to find the tiniest flaw on an action
figure has helped him develop the ability to construct the display case at work
which is appealing and inviting. Second, collecting improves organizational
skills and enhances pattern recognition. A collection is often organized by
shape, size, genre, series, and so on. Organizing the collection into
categories enhances the ability to recognize common characteristics and detect
gaps or flaws in a pattern. Again, this has helped my husband finds any flaws
in a display. Third, collecting may forge a commitment to a good cause. For
example, a person who collects elephant figurines may become aware of the
elephants’ plight in the wild and make moves to help preserve and advocate
preservation of the elephants. Lastly, when collectors are kids, the act of
collecting could lead to a future career. For instance, if a child collects
rocks, he or she might grow up to be a geologist. Or a child who loves animals
and collects plush toys or figurines, may grow up to be a vet or a zoologist or
a marine biologist.
In conclusion, if you were to ask any collector regardless
of what they collect, their answers might be similar. They find joy and
happiness in collecting. It would be joy from childhood or happiness in
gathering items of meaning. It is the thrill of finding a particular item to
complete a set and the subject of the collection may have special meaning or
symbolism to the individual. Collecting benefits the brain and enhances
abilities in other areas of life. Collecting enhances someone’s life in ways
that benefits them. In my opinion, everyone collects something, some just don’t
realize it.
P.S. the pictures featuring my husband's collection is only a small fraction of his entire collection
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