...favorite things...
Today is my 49th Birthday (half-way to 98 - as my children say).
I’ve spent a good part of this year learning to use my agency to actually make choices instead of living in a world of constant expectations and obligations. It’s a challenge and I’ve had to ask myself hard questions. One of those questions is “What DO you like, Mary?” — not what are you supposed to like or expected to like or assumed to like - “What DO I like?
I like...
— no, there won’t be 49 - goodness - but I’m also long winded... so... take that into consideration — I’ll go for my current top 10ish... in completely random order...
Music
If you know anything about me — this is a no-brainer — but I’ll be a little more specific.
• Musicals are my favorite genre - they just are. I want to spend more time this year to discover lost (to me) musical gems.
• I really like vocal jazz. I love the complexities in both the chords and the rhythms. Manhattan Transfer’s ‘Birdland’ could play over and over again and I’d never tire of it.
• I’m very picky about Hymn arrangements — and I think the LDS music culture could learn a few things from their Christian friends about how to worship through music. My dream is to do any Dan Forrest or Craig Courtney song in a Stake Conference or church something and let the congregation feel the goodness their music brings.
Clocks
• I like to know the time by looking up from anywhere in my house.
• I don’t buy ugly crappy $5 clocks. Function can also be artsy and beautiful.
• The bigger the better.
• My mind literally translates digital clock time to its analog visual representation. Every. Single. Time. (pun intended) 😁
Shoes
• I like shoes. I need more shoes. I really, really need more shoes.
• Shoes can be sparkly. Shoes can be functional. Shoes can have color. Shoes can have texture. Shoes can be just for fun.
• My square feet are hard to fit into shoes — but I’m going to keep trying and buying and wearing because — I REALLY LIKE SHOES!!
Travel
• I like to get in the car and go. I like to not have strict plans.
• I like to stop and explore and choose and change my mind.
• I like to get my hotel 20 mins out from our destination — because I can.
• I like to pack light and not plan for 1,000 contingencies.
• I really love the wide open spaces of the West and the many different geological wonders.
• I want to explore the green beauty of the Pacific NW.
• I want to bask in the history of the East Coast.
Nails and Feet
• I have been getting my nails on my hands done for 29 years and I have NO intention of stopping anytime soon. It is one of my favorite self-care moments and I have finally conquered the destructive guilt I felt every time. Not anymore — I’m going to bask in the glory of colored fingernails.
• Pedicures are the best things ever!! In my dream world, they would happen every 3 weeks. I am also putting this on my self-care list — which should really be my “YOU GO GIRL!!” list. #loudfingersnap
Therapy & “...as thyself”
• Everyone needs it. That’s really the bottom line. If you think you don’t — you do. You really do.
• Take the time to find a therapist that speaks your language and then take the time to really learn about yourself — because you can only change yourself.
• And in that time of self-discovery - learn to love yourself. It’s hard. It’s brutal. It’s painful. It is completely necessary.
• Someday soon I’m going to do a blog post on “love thy neighbor — AS THYSELF” — because I think we gloss over that part entirely too much — and it’s really not ok.
Barry Manilow & Michael Jackson
• ha ha ha ha ha -- I am completely serious though. I LOVE them both in so many different ways!
• I can sing along to 90% of Barry and I love to watch 90% of Michael.
• I love the cheesy calmness of Barry and I love the simple entertainment of Michael.
• I'm going to own this love and I won't back down.
So You Think You Can Dance & Bachelor in Paradise (shhhhhhhhh)
• The first show is my great summer love -- I think dancing is the most beautiful magical thing.
• I love to watch their passion and the story-telling.
• I love how they can make the music sing with the movement of their bodies.
• I love the talent of choreographers that can take something that they can only see in their head and make it translate through two practical strangers and it becomes BEAUTIFUL MAGIC.
• The second show is my great summer secret -- it's the absolute worst -- and I love the "non-scripted" entertainment of it all. The video and music editors should get ALL THE AWARDS -- they make it funny and the best cheesy show of the entire Bachelor Nation.
Connection
• I think the world survives on connection.
• I think it would thrive with more connection.
• True connection is judgement free.
• Healthy connection starts with empathy.
• Any connection requires vulnerability.
• Safe connection will probably have boundaries.
• Deep connection takes effort.
• Connection is what God is telling us to do -- love each other, learn from and about each other, be grateful for our differences, be connected to one another and our lives will be full and we will be able to find ways to love and heal one another.
... and these are a few of my favorite things.
And you are WELCOME if the song is now stuck in your head! he he
