One of my favourite scenes from the movie The Sound of Music is where Maria sings to the children during a thunderstorm, and to distract them, she counts off some of her favourite things. This particular scene is fun and shows the joy and lightheartedness of Julie Andrew’s character. It’s also an excellent reminder to take note of the things in our lives that bring a smile to our faces and lift our spirits.
“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver-white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things.”
A Few of My Favourite Things (The Sound of Music)
This life can be hard, and letting ourselves become downcast is easy. We live in a fallen world spilling over with pain, and if we don’t take steps to remind ourselves of the goodness of the Lord, we’ll be consumed by that hurt. There are so many little moments in our days that can make us giggle or breathe life into our souls, but they’re easy to miss. When we focus on everything we need to accomplish and have our eyes glued to our screens, we begin to lose sight of what matters and miss out on living the little moments of our lives. The joy of living is found in the joy of being, not in the doing or the achieving, but in the simple act of being fully present where we are. That is where we find joy and contentment. God has blessed us with these rich, beautiful lives. Yet, we squander the moments of connection He has woven into each day because our focus is elsewhere. We need to bring it back.
It might seem like a frivolous thing, but making a list of the little things in your life that bring you joy can quickly remind us of the good to be found in the world. These aren’t just silly things that make you laugh; they’re the small elements of who you are that allow you to breathe deep and enjoy life. The quirks and predilections that the Lord has sprinkled into our personalities make us unique and remind us of His faithfulness. Here are some of mine:
- Evenings spent around a fire
- Yellow bee boots
- Perfectly chewy brownies
- When my animals lay in the sunbeams on the floor
- Going for walks with my husband
- Wind blowing the grass in a field so that it looks like it’s waving at you
- The beat of a horse’s hooves
- Corgies
- The sound that a dog’s ears make when they shake their head really fast
Make a list and praise the Lord for the many ways He’s provided for you to find light and levity in a dark world. And remember to live in the little moments of your day, don’t let them pass you by but hold onto them and thank God for them. Be fully present and see how the Lord is moving amid your days.
Simply Katherina 