Since I began Heart Mapping over twenty years ago, I've also become a collector of hearts: a coffee mug with a heart on it, heart earrings, a blouse sprinkled with hearts, among many other heart related things. So, it’s interesting that on a recent visit to my family I discovered two heart-shaped cake pans tucked away in a closet (and a heart-shaped cookie cutter). Memories flooded back of my mother making heart-shaped cakes for us every Valentine’s Day to bring to our classes at school. While arthritis has now stopped her from cooking altogether, the sight of those heart-shaped pans evoked a blend of ache and fullness in my heart, and a longing for those cherished moments. (And yes, I did bring the heart cake tins home and they’re now hanging on my wall in my office.)

For me, hearts aren't reserved for Valentine's Day; they're a daily reminder to keep our hearts open wide – and to embrace the beauty and the miracles in the everyday. After all, love and feeling make us human, making every heartbeat a tribute to the magnificence of our being alive.

And in this spirit, I've curated a collection of my favorite heart-themed items—little reminders that inspire me to feel deeply and cherish the beauty in every moment. As you browse through these heart items, maybe one or two might act as small reminders to live a heart-centered life – not just on Valentine’s Day but every day.

Are you a heart collector, too? What are your favorites? Share in the comments.