My Favorite Things

How many of you have ever seen the movie The Sound of Music? I am going to confess to you that even though I am a 28, soon to be 29, year old man, The Sound of Music is one of my favorite movies. I am not sure why? Part of it has to do with the fact that my mom to this day can recount for you the almost pilgrimatic experience she had when she went to see the movie with her friends. Another reason is because I am a musical person which gives me a love for the way that music brings the Von Trapp family together.

However, one thing I have never understood for the longest time is the song titled My Favorite Things. In the scene, the children are scared because of a thunderstorm and all run into Maria's room. She begins to tell them how when she becomes scared, she simply remembers her favorite things, and then doesn't feel so bad. It has always been a concept I have understood. The part where my understanding goes astray is when Maria begins to describe her favorite things:

"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"

Earlier in my life I would look at this song and think "HOW LAME!!!" How in the world could things like this be your favorite things. I never could understand this concept. I always thought that favorite things should be things that are on a grander scale, i.e. travelling around the world, working at an incredible job, becoming a VIP in your respected field. The list could go on. See, this is what is engrained in our minds as young, vulnerable adults. The things that matter are position, power and monetary objects.

Oh how wrong I was. Don't you wish that you could have the perspective in your younger years that you have now? The ability to sit back and see what is truly important in life?

As many of you know I recently changed jobs. Changed from a job that I had been in for six years into a position that even though it is what I wanted has been sort of a challenge. There have been times that I myself have felt like I am in my own thunderstorm, unsure of what the outcome will be, unsure of what this storm will bring. It has been through these times that I have begun to see what exactly Maria was talking about when she allowed extremely small things that were her favorite things to help her not feel so bad.

As I sit at work, it is not raindrops on roses or whispers on kittens that come to my mind; however, there are small, simple things that in my younger and more vulnerable years I might have overlooked. What do I think of? What are my favorite things? Jackson's laugh when I kiss him on his neck. Walking around the neighborhood with Alisha and Jackson in the evenings. Conversations with my Dad while we ride down the rode together. Sitting with Alisha on the sofa and watching her fall asleep with her head on my shoulder. My mom calling me in the mornings to tell me to have a good day. Watching UT games with my brother and talking to him more than paying attention to the game. Staying up with Jackson early in the morning when he can't sleep. Jackson's excitement when I come home from work. Holding Alisha's face in my hands, even if only for a few minutes, and telling her I love her.

These are a few of my favorite things.

Thanks Maria!

Blake