When I was going through a day of tests at the hospital in May, Monty couldn’t be with me. But I had my boys with me because I had their pictures on my phone. I spent all of my waiting time scrolling through their pictures, and I forgot to be worried about the tests. I was reminded of the scene in “The Sound of Music” when Fraulein Maria calms the von Trapp children during a thunderstorm. She says, “If anything bothers me and I’m feeling unhappy, I just try to think of nice things.” The children ask her, “What kind of things?” And she answers, “Well, let’s see. Nice things. Daffodils. Green meadows. Skies full of stars. Raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens.” She begins to sing, “My Favorite Things.” The chorus is:
“When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things—
And then I don’t feel so bad!”
Here’s what I discovered that day in the hospital—it works. The “Sound of Music” philosophy, phrased in such simple words, actually works. I’m the type of person who, when something goes wrong, tends to dwell on it. Ruminate on it. Marinate myself in the melancholy of it. And I am so tired of doing that. So that day in the hospital, I didn’t. And I shocked myself, both by my choice, and by the fact that it was so easy to change my mindset just by deciding to—to dwell on my favorite things instead of once again checking in to the Misery Motel. I’ve started keeping a list on my phone of my favorite things because I always have my phone with me. Here’s just a few of those things:
My parents’ fire pit. Mom and Dad have a fire pit in their backyard, and almost every night in the summertime, Monty and I and Mom and Dad sit around the fire. The cicadas perform their nightly symphony, and Mom’s dog Toby barks at dragonflies and alley cats—but other than that, it’s quiet and so peaceful. As the sun sets and night falls, the firelight flickers and dances across the faces of these people I love so much. And in the firelight, our defenses seem to drop. We share more. We laugh more. We make memories.
Embroidery. I learned very early on in the recovery process that boredom is the enemy of recovery. If I’m bored and roaming the house at three a.m., I’m likely to get myself into trouble. So I make sure that, even though I’m awake all night, I don’t get bored once my night shift ends. I keep my hands busy—literally—with embroidery. It’s calming and meditative, and I’ve discovered that I can write in my head while I’m doing it. And every piece I finish gives me a sense of accomplishment; as an addict, I never finished any project I started. Now I do.
My mom’s one-year-old puppy, Gracie. I’m as surprised to write that as you probably are to read it. I’m a dyed-in-the-wool cat person; I always have been. I like the concept of dogs—their pictures, their impressive police K-9 work, videos of them chasing sprinklers—but I’m not a fan of actual dogs. They slobber and bite and have no concept of personal space. 
But Gracie has won my heart. She’s a tiny four-pound package of happiness, and she seems to want to spread it to every person she meets. When Monty and I go to Mom and Dad’s, she waits at the gate for us, so excited that her whole body trembles. She loves her toys and especially loves showing them to anyone who will pay attention to her. She has a peculiar attraction to my hair; she climbs up on my shoulder and slides down my hair as if it were a water slide—always with a toy in her mouth. With her long eyelashes, enormous eyes, and chronic bedhead, she resembles an unkempt forties movie star. I’ve discovered that it’s impossible to be sad when holding Gracie. Gracie wasn’t created for sadness. She was meant for joy.
My other husband. Yes, Monty has some serious competition now. Because of my asthma, I have to sleep propped up. And I’ve spent my life trying to find a comfortable way to do that—until the day I met my other husband. I was browsing the Amazon website when I saw a picture of a combination between a recliner and a pillow. Some customers called it a reading pillow; others, for reasons I don’t know but like to imagine, called it a husband. I bought it—and it’s been a game-changer. 
It’s so comfortable that I almost don’t mind sleeping. But my favorite part of this favorite thing of mine is the name—husband. I get such pleasure from that, mostly in what I say to Monty:
Monty, the stuffing in my husband has shifted. Can you punch it back into shape?
My husband isn’t very supportive anymore. I need to get a new one.
Monty, my husband is stuck in the headboard again!
The soft texture of my husband has worn off. I think my next husband should be covered in velvet.
Monty’s texts. I have a bit of a problem with compulsive editing, so when Monty texts me, he doesn’t use autocorrect or even try to spell words correctly. He says he uses Renee-correct because I’ll fix the words in my mind anyway. I do—when I can. Other times, I have no idea what he’s talking about. And when I ask him later what he was trying to say, he doesn’t know, either. This is a “conversation” we had when he was at Walmart and I was at home: (his texts are on the left)
I believe with all my heart that the beautiful can mend the broken. Beautiful words, art, music, souls—they are a balm to even the most broken heart. The “Sound of Music” philosophy echoes my belief and reminds me that the beautiful is closer than I think—it’s right in front of me. My favorite things mend me, soothe me, delight me, and comfort me. You, my readers, are another one of my favorite things. And it occurs to me as I write this that you know quite a bit about me. I’d love to know a little bit about you. Tell me one or two or ten of your favorite things. You’d make me very happy. Because learning about people is . . . well . . . yes. It’s my favorite.
Every gift God freely gives us is good and perfect, streaming down from the Father of lights, who shines from the heavens with no hidden shadow or darkness and is never
subject to change.James 1:17 (TPT)
My favorite song. You cannot be unhappy while listening to it.
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Comments 18
Wow another great post, you are right it the little things that count in life! Here is a few things that I like and really appreciate in my life; a computer that works makes life a lot easier, good music of almost all kinds that are easy to listen to and mellow me out, real Italian spaghetti and one of our dogs napping on my lap while I nap in my big easy chair.
Thank you, Grover! Great list! I had a feeling your dogs would be on your list. Real Italian spaghetti sounds really good to me right now! Thanks for always reading my words–I so appreciate you.
Part of my Bible study today was about what makes my heart thrilled, and what makes it feel depressed, so I was already thinking about some of my favorite things when I clicked into your blog. 🙂 Reading would have to top the list of those things which contribute daily to my happiness. A good use of time (aka productivity) is right up there, as is music of many sorts. Watching family members’ eyes light up when they see what I have cooked or baked. Working with people who genuinely want to let God be more and more Lord of their lives, and along with that, seeing our Father’s answers to prayer. Knowing His closeness, and looking out my kitchen window at the brightness of “my” flowers, and the different brightnesses of the birds and butterflies which fly and flutter past my vision. The particular family members whom the Lord gave me to love and cherish. Deep meaningful movies such as “Gladiator” and “Signs”. You have helped me to realize, Renee, how many lovely things I have in my life, especially when I consider that the ones listed above are only a part. Many blessings on you!
Heather–I just love your answer. I’m finding out exactly what you said; that I have so many lovely things in my life–way too many to list. It reminds me that God wants us to have an abundant life and He gives us that if we have the eyes to see it. You also reminded me of more of my own favorite things–flowers, birds, and answered prayers. Thank you so much for once again commenting in such an insightful way. I so appreciate it.
I love this blog! It made me feel happy and started my day off on the right foot.
In addition to a retractable back scratcher, Battlebots, and maps, Calvin & Hobbes, big competitions (i.e. World Cup, Olympics, Super Bowl, etc.), and Porcupines (meatballs made with rice) are some of my favorite things.
And you’re my favorite of all favorites. Thank you for your happiness and for always starting my day off on the right foot.
“Beautiful can mend the broken.” Simple, yet profound. A lot of truth packed into that short statement, and in my mind I’m reflecting on the many instances where this is indeed how I’ve dealt with fear, worry, difficult circumstances and heartbreak. I now have a precise label for it!
Thank you, Lisa. It’s a truth I believe in so much. All the instances you described where you dealt with life that way–so have I. And I’m trying to do it more and more. Thanks so much for reading my words.
Thank you, Renee. Love your post on the power of focusing on our favorite things. Cats, songs, food, places, and people. Appreciate your heart and your gift of words to the rest of us. Bless you!
Thank you, Ron! There really are so many favorite things right in front of us–now, as you said, I have to keep training my mind to keep my focus there. Thanks so much for reading my words.
P.p.s. Debbje met Jacque Cousteau, in the 1970’s. That John Denver tune is wonderful tune.
You’ll have to tell me the story of Debbie meeting Cousteau. I’m glad you liked the song, too.
Good morning Sparrow. Happy thoughts. A wonderful suggestion for anyone having doubts, Pain,anything * negative going on In their minds at the time. Me, You knkw I love Baseball. . As a youngster, even today, when Inam lonely, troubled, I can “dig uo” any number of New YorknYankee baseball games. Remembering, recreating them, wit( the specific names. Gives me a great measure of comfort. Music, 8ncan “plug in” lots iPod my favorite R&R tunes, even singing out loud, Most Times, I have a positive, creative imagination, History, politics , , Shooting basketball I; our driveway, I really could go on and on. So, Sparrow, add them, well over 10.Hope I get an ‘A”. My Mom, encouraged Positive Thought, as you can tell her influence still plays very big in my life. “The Sound If Music”, a “feast” of Beautiful music, Beautuful Thoughts. My “Seniors” watch it over and over. I had forgotten “the husband”, what a comfortable , Sleep, tv watching “jewel”. Debbje and I had one for years, I may to “revisit” this, am sure WalMart sells them, Thank You, for “jogging” that memory. Positive,positive, positive, daily I pray tomstay positive. Yiur wonderful Blog today, Soarrow,mreenerguzes, reinforces this in me. Thank you, this is another thought provoking,beautiful blog. P.s. My Dogs have always pmace me in a Happy Place. See ya.
Thank you for your kind words, Hal. I’ve always loved hearing about how much baseball means to you. Music–definitely! Thank you for listing so many of your favorite things. And for your example of constant positivity and optimism. You get an A plus!
Ha, ha, sorry, but I just laughed while I read this. Just to let you know–one thing that keeps me from having cats is the “whatever you felt between your toes”– my stomach really re-acts to that and a few other things like it? I seem to have issues with deposits of any kinds, I end up having deposits myself of sorts?
That said–I do tend to re-act like the Sound of Music many days. I do try to think about nice things whenever possible, it helps me get through the day.
You have gotten to know me a lot better over this last year, as we both know, but I will share that which you don’t know.
The Sound of music is my favorite movie of all time. I know every word of every song in the movie and one of my special ones is ” my favorite things”.
I love animals and they love me and every one I know tells me to get a pet as they seem so comfortable with me! What keeps me from having them is this stomach thing– I tend to go over my neck each time they have a fur ball or the thought of me having to pick up poo while out walking, never mind if it gets on my shoe–hours of retching!
I fly all the time to see my family in Holland, but need every ounce of nerves to get my self on the plane– years ago I would have laughed in your face as I was the ultimate dare devil– a severe ilnes caused me
to have anxiety attacks?
I have always been the ultimate people pleaser, yet these days I do not always feel to do so and would rather isolate then engage in a world that seems to want to self destruct?
Still have a zest for life, but in a much more different fashion and still love love to reach out to others, but more cautiously do so.
Just a few items–hoping you understand!
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Klara–“deposits”–now that makes me laugh. Maybe this is why you love plants so much–you can nurture them, appreciate their beauty, and they don’t make any “deposits!” It makes me happy that you love “The Sound of Music.” After “The Wizard of Oz,” it’s my second favorite movie. Like you, I’ve watched it so many times that I know all the words to the songs. I always liked “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” the best because of the dance in the gazebo. And this line: “Reverend Mother, I have sinned.” Oh, it’s so good! Thank you for making me smile. Love to you, as always.
Oh my, now you are making me want to see it again, especially those ” sisters”–both naughty and nice? yes–I call them ” deposits”—sometimes I see people with their dogs and then pretend they did not notice their dog left a ” deposit”? Vancouver is very strict about that, Holland is terrible that way! So I have been known to say rather loudly ” Sir–you forgot something, please pick it up!!! They get pretty embarrassed–one tried to tell me it was not his dog–I said ” Sir–it is still steaming”–definitely your dog!
Yes, I do love those nuns! It certainly doesn’t surprise me that you “help” people to remember to pick up their dog’s deposits. Consider this–cats bury theirs!