Knick-Knacks and their Potential Writerly Purposes!

    Does anybody like knick-knacks? You know, small trinkets and items that are left on a desk, like a tiny figurine or an interesting paperweight. They aren't exactly practical tools, but they still fulfill small purposes like serving as a paperweight, being souvenirs of a trip, and of adding a nice decorative touch to an area. But they can have even more purposes than that to a writer, I think. Left on the desk, within arm's reach, it has potential to fulfil some awesome writerly purposes!
    Like providing a brief diversion. Because everyone can use a very brief mental break every now and then, right? Writing or plotting the story, trying to come up with the right action or the best wording, having a cluttered, stressed mind doesn't work as well as one that's rested. Observing a knick-knack for a couple seconds can help to relax and clear the think tank for just a moment. In my case, I have a small, smooth pink rock that I turn over in my hand sometimes, to feel its coolness on my fingers and clear some of the clutter out of my mind.
    I also have a knick-knack with a verse printed on it, which encourages me to push on with writing. That's another great writer-thing knick-knacks can do: carry a message, or signify one that you'd remember just by looking at it. It could be something as straight-to-the-point as a sticky note with writing on it (which are very effective when placed on the wall behind your computer, or on the desk space around it), or it could be something symbolic like a puzzle piece (which doesn't take up that much space). And with the message so close, it's not difficult for wandering eyes to land on them and remember what's important.
    And on that same note, knick-knacks can also inspire a person as a writer. A knick-knack that represents something--like maybe finished novel manuscripts that one will try to get published--can stir up feelings of encouragement, and hope for success. It can also just serve as a reminder that "hey, I've sat at this desk to write with that paperweight on it a million times, and I still love to do it!"
    So what do you think? Do you have knick-knacks that have done this kind of thing?