I've been thinking a lot about Julie Andrews lately. You know, raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. She taught children in The Sound Of Music that joy could be found in the smallest thing and that happiness would cause you to burst out into song, run into meadows and spin around and around until you fell down laughing. Some of you are rolling your eyes now and sick from the thought of it, but I don't think old Julie was too far off.
Since I wrote my last column on depression, many have written in voicing support and confiding in me. I am glad the column was so well received and that others in the community feel they have a place to come forward with similar concerns about depression of family members, friends and loved ones.
My point in writing the column was to express my opinion that depression is treatable and not that big a deal. I have depression but rarely drag myself around town crying or angry at the world, though I'll admit there have been times.
But despite depression, I have found there is joy in the little things around me, and most things I used to think were a big deal can actually be laughed at - things like the ridiculous monster screech my child makes when she's not allowed to hold the electric mixer or the way everything that can go wrong will when trying to plan the perfect day. When given the choice of laughing or crying, I'd rather laugh.
My father has a philosophy on life that I try to remember: "You get what you get." Very redneck, I know, but my pa is a real cowboy, complete with hat and boots. He used to offer these words of wisdom when giving us health muffins instead of ice cream or hand-me-downs instead of new designer clothes.
At the time, it was the finality of the statement that made me mad. How can you argue with the logic of "you get what you get?" But now I see it as "make the best of what you have." You can wish for money and fame or something as basic as good health, but the truth is you get what you get. You can spend your time angry and sad that others have the things you don't, or you can work on making your life as good as you can while you have the time. I'm Christian and my faith helps me through many of life's challenges, not to mention the wonderful people I've met on the Coast who are caring and willing to help if you ask them.
We are so fortunate to live in a place where we don't have to worry about bombs going off in our backyards and a host of horrible acts that regularly take place in other countries.
I know life is trying even in Canada, but if we spend our time trying to be thankful rather than sullen, joy can be found in the smallest thing.
The other day I was walking down the streets of Sechelt and smiling at the thought of Julie Andrews. Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens aren't my favourite things, but watching my child play, having a hot bubble bath and jotting down my thoughts in a journal are definitely front-runners.
I'd love to see a world where there's no sadness or pain, but unfortunately, that's not reality. We can only make the best of what we have and remember to run through the meadow and fall down laughing from time to time.
