My favorite things
Richard Rogers wrote the song My Favorite Things which Julie Andrews sang in the hit musical, The Sound of Music.
The song begins “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens”. As the world lives under the cloud of the pandemic many may be reevaluating their list of favorite things. As the United States gets ready to inaugurate a new president; as parents, spouses, siblings and others who have lost a loved one to covid 19, addiction, an automobile accident, and some seemingly “untimely” death the list of favorite things may be much different than it was a year ago.
Home for many has become a workplace as well as the school or education hub and a prison of sorts for others. For some, sharing space 24 hours a day, 7 days a week has been a wonderful luxury. For others it may feel like a bit too much togetherness. For many others, especially health care and other essential workers, home has become a place where one collapses after yet another double or even triple shift. One may barely remember what it is like to enjoy a relaxing time at home. For still others whose loved one(s) has died home is a constant reminder or film of what was or what one wants to remember or imagine was the script.
Many has spent time during the pandemic sorting through and getting rid of “stuff” stored in basements, attics, closets and numerous drawers. Still others or perhaps the same ones have welcomed a new pet which was rescued from a shelter. Bikes and board games have been summoned out of retirement and recreated what may, for some (especially the privileged white, “middle class”) was a less complicated time.
In the midst of all these changes new lists of favorite things are being penned. For those lucky few who have the luxury of living even slightly outside the circle of basic survival the list of favorite things has changed since March. For those living on the edge of survival the list is also different.
Being able to articulate a list of favorite things – a list of what is really important – is one of the gifts of those who have the luxury of a spiritual practice. In the story of The Christmas Carol Scrooge discovers that his underpaid clerk, Bob Cratchit and his family which includes Tiny Tim whose dance of life is on crutches are far richer that he is.
Many religions celebrate this time of the year some version of a new birth or new beginning. For some the advent of the new calendar is another occasion to evaluate what is important in this brief life dance.
The visit of covid-19 could serve to remind us how important it is to daily be intentional about what is important. Perhaps how well we love ourselves and each other; how well we share food, shelter, health care and other resources may become a few of our favorite things. Daily or hourly I am reminded that this life dance is very brief. Mary Poppins in The Sound of Music is perhaps not a theologically sophisticated paradign but perhaps, just perhaps, it is a fun reminder to show up to the simple magic of all that all that is seen and unseen; of “raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens”.
Written December 9, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Richard Rogers wrote the song My Favorite Things which Julie Andrews sang in the hit musical, The Sound of Music.
The song begins “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens”. As the world lives under the cloud of the pandemic many may be reevaluating their list of favorite things. As the United States gets ready to inaugurate a new president; as parents, spouses, siblings and others who have lost a loved one to covid 19, addiction, an automobile accident, and some seemingly “untimely” death the list of favorite things may be much different than it was a year ago.
Home for many has become a workplace as well as the school or education hub and a prison of sorts for others. For some, sharing space 24 hours a day, 7 days a week has been a wonderful luxury. For others it may feel like a bit too much togetherness. For many others, especially health care and other essential workers, home has become a place where one collapses after yet another double or even triple shift. One may barely remember what it is like to enjoy a relaxing time at home. For still others whose loved one(s) has died home is a constant reminder or film of what was or what one wants to remember or imagine was the script.
Many has spent time during the pandemic sorting through and getting rid of “stuff” stored in basements, attics, closets and numerous drawers. Still others or perhaps the same ones have welcomed a new pet which was rescued from a shelter. Bikes and board games have been summoned out of retirement and recreated what may, for some (especially the privileged white, “middle class”) was a less complicated time.
In the midst of all these changes new lists of favorite things are being penned. For those lucky few who have the luxury of living even slightly outside the circle of basic survival the list of favorite things has changed since March. For those living on the edge of survival the list is also different.
Being able to articulate a list of favorite things – a list of what is really important – is one of the gifts of those who have the luxury of a spiritual practice. In the story of The Christmas Carol Scrooge discovers that his underpaid clerk, Bob Cratchit and his family which includes Tiny Tim whose dance of life is on crutches are far richer that he is.
Many religions celebrate this time of the year some version of a new birth or new beginning. For some the advent of the new calendar is another occasion to evaluate what is important in this brief life dance.
The visit of covid-19 could serve to remind us how important it is to daily be intentional about what is important. Perhaps how well we love ourselves and each other; how well we share food, shelter, health care and other resources may become a few of our favorite things. Daily or hourly I am reminded that this life dance is very brief. Mary Poppins in The Sound of Music is perhaps not a theologically sophisticated paradign but perhaps, just perhaps, it is a fun reminder to show up to the simple magic of all that all that is seen and unseen; of “raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens”.
Written December 9, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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