My personal adaptation of My Favorite Things
Recently, I heard the Rodgers and Hammerstein song My Favorite Things, and it got me thinking about those things that lift my spirits…small joys that remind me there is good in the world, even when everything seems to be going to hell in a hand basket. I like to refer to these as Jolts of Joy and have also heard them called Glimmers.
So, with apologies to Rodgers and Hammerstein and Julie Andrews, I have created my own adaptation of My Favorite Things.
My Favorite Things
Rainbows after storms and sunsets on the ocean,
Hugs from grandchildren and good-smelling lotion,
My children’s sweet voices when the telephone rings…
These are a few of my favorite things.
Pinã coladas, fine wine, or iced coffee,
Long walks with my husband, a breeze in the trees,
Wild flowers that pop up at the start of each spring…
These are a few of my favorite things.
Success with tough jigsaws, Wordle, and Connections,
Ice cream, flaky pastries, and other confections,
Loves from my dog and the joy that he brings…
These are a few of my favorite things.
When life gets tough,
When worry reigns,
When I’m feeling sad…
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don’t feel so bad.
Final thoughts
First of all, thank you for indulging me in my silliness. The need to rhyme and conform (sort of) to the rhythm of the original song restricted the items I could include in this small sampling of my favorite things. I am happy to report that my complete Jolts of Joy list is extensive, and I continue to add to it as inspiration strikes.
If you haven’t done so already, I hope you will consider taking time to jot down some of the small things that bring you joy and rely on them to buoy you when life gets overwhelming…or appreciate them as icing on the cake when life is good.
And one final note, thank you to everyone who weighed in on which topics you’d like to see in future blog posts. I really appreciate the engagement and the suggestions. You guys are the best! Jolts of Joy received the most votes, so I started there. I will address the other requested topics in the near future.
Your turn
- Is the tune to My Favorite Things stuck in your head now? If so, please accept my apologies.
- What are some of your personal favorite things, jolts of joy, or glimmers?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
Yes, I totally sang each verse. It’s a favorite song of mine. And yes, very impressed with the rhyming and staying on the tune!
I’ve done many Jolts of Joy lists – some as A to Z, some for a season. At one point I had a list for Ohio and one for Florida when I had two places to live. For me Glimmers are unique Jolts of Joy – it’s the ones that can help simmer down a triggering event. A couple of those glimmers for me are sipping a bottle of cream soda (the real kind with sugar!) and my soft cuddly throw blanket. Yes, even in the heat of summer.
That’s an interesting distinction between jolts of joy and glimmers, Pat. I have heard of glimmers as the opposite of triggers, so it makes sense that glimmers could help offset a trigger. I love that sipping cream soda is one of your glimmers. Can I assume cream soda has some sentimental history? My grandmother used to keep those in her refrigerator for us.
What a great version of your favourite things Christie – you’re very talented!! I do love the terms jolts of joy and glimmers and believe we all need to see them more often. We’re with our granddaughter for a few days and she definitely brings jolts of joys to me!
#TeamWWWhimsy
Thank you for your kind words, Debbie. Talented might be a stretch, but it sure was fun. Grandchildren are the source of my greatest jolts of joy. Enjoy your time with them!
Jolts of joy…yes a new one for me. I have heard of glimmers too. I reckon each day is better for us taking note of what makes life great/better for us!
I loved your clever words and keeping the the rhythm and feel of “My Favourite Things”.
Take care
Denyse
You are so right, Denyse. The world is full of things that make our lives better if we only take note of them. By making a list of some of those things…particularly the ones I can control…I can intentionally add more of those joys into my day.
Hi Christie – a very impressive update to the lyrics, and I loved that they actually made sense and were so relatable. It was also nice to have something other than a Taylor Swift song bouncing around inside my head – but I’m sure I’ll be back to “Shake It Off” before the day’s over 🙂
That made me smile, Leanne. I always seem to have one song or another stuck in my head, and sometimes I don’t even know where they came from. A song just pops up from the recesses of my brain, I guess.
I loved this sis! And now I want to write my own version of the song. It would help me think of my Jolts of Joy. (Although I have to admit, many of mine are the same as yours.)
Spending time with my sisters should have been in my song somewhere. It’s definitely near the top of my Jolts of Joy list.
You’re very clever Christie. I love your version and your lyrics. It’s the small things in life these days that bring me the most joy. Could be something as simple as a glint of sunshine on an otherwise overcast day.
I agree, Jennifer. Life is full of amazing little moments when we take the time to notice. That’s one of the joys of retirement, isn’t it? Slowing down to literally smell the roses and look at the sky…those kinds of things.
Hi Christie – I loved this! So clever and a fabulous bunch of favourite things! My favourite things are very simple these days. A warm cup of coffee on a cold winter’s morning. Holding my mother’s hand and trying my best to absorb how it feels and hold on to it forever. A sunset and sunrise, a cool breeze on a hot summer’s day. I could go on and on! Thanks so much for linking up with #WWWhimsy and I hope you get a lot of your favourite things every single day! xo
Thank you for the kind words, Min, and for sharing some of your favorite things. I also wish many of your favorites for you each day, especially during this tender time with your mother.
Is the tune to My Favorite Things stuck in your head now? YES 🎶 .
What are some of your personal favorite things, jolts of joy, or glimmers? Glimmers more than jolts, I like things that spark the happy in me, don’t bonk me on the head with joy!
What else is on your mind? My mind is about as blank as can be, it’s too hot and humid here to think. 😑
If you are now singing along with me in your head, my work here is done!
I hadn’t thought about the jarring implication of the word “jolt.” I was thinking along the lines of sudden or unexpected…like when a squirrel appears in your yard or your favorite song comes on the radio.
We are having incredible heat here as well, but as we like to say, “At least it’s a dry heat.”
I absolutely sang your list along to the song; I love that movie and that song is one of my favorites! You have a wonderful list of favorites.
I love that movie, and that song, too Joanne. Besides it being a great movie, it also stirs fond memories of watching it with my mother.
Hi Christie, I don’t think your poem was silliness at all. In fact, you would have been in a very mindful state as you thought about what to write. I’ve always loved The Sound of Music and remember when I first saw it many years ago at the cinema. x
Good point, Sue. I hadn’t thought about it, but you are correct that I was in a mindful state as I created my adaptation of the song, and of course, feeling so much gratitude for all those lovely things in my life. I too love The Sound of Music movie.
Firstly, brilliant alternative lyrics and YES, the tune is stuck in my head which is no bad thing 🙂
Secondly I have never heard of Glimmers before and so am grateful for the new vocabulary and the explanation of same.
I must’ve missed your previous post offering us a voting opportunity for subject matter. Although I am happy to turn up here to read anything you write, I’m feeling FOMO, so shall hasten often there post haste!
I’m glad to hear you are singing along with me now, Debs. I love when I hear a new word or phrase that expands the way I think about something, like “glimmers.” And thanks for including anything I’ve written as something that inspires FOMO. You’re so kind.
This made me smile. And nod in agreement. The voices of the grandbabies. Their sweet hugs. When my grandson said “love you” in reply to my “I love you” as I tucked him in. He had never said it before and has never said it since to anyone!! Ha!! Hope we hear that sweet voice declare his love again soon.
I miss having a pup. We have kitties and I love them but they are here and then gone and then back again. They don’t sit beside me faithfully while I lounge on the couch. They don’t run to the door when I come home.
I missed your post or survey about subjects for your blog. I have so many ideas of things I want to write and have started writing memoirs of crazy life events for my daughters to have. Published 2 to Substack as I am not sure they are the kind of thing shared on a blog. Have wanted to write about PC’s cancer journey but LIFE just gets in the way of sitting for very long to write.
I am and will continue to be a fan of your writing, thinking and thoughtful posts and now, poetry!!
Hello Leslie! It’s good to hear from you. Lucky you, getting the first “I love you” from your grandson. That’s precious. I bet your daughters will really appreciate your memoirs. I have some memories that my sister recorded from my grandma, and I truly enjoy looking back on those. Your life sounds very busy, and I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog and share your thoughts. Thanks for being a fan. The feeling is definitely mutual.