Sunday, July 1, 2018

Things We Can Agree On

INGRID THOFT
In a recent issue of "O" magazine, the writer Leigh Haber created a list of "Twenty Things We Can Agree On."  In these divisive times, she thought it was important to come up with somethinganythingthat we can all feel good about.  I've decided to take a stab at writing my own (shorter) list.

Dessert
It doesn't have to be chocolate or layered or melted.  It can be fresh berries or a delicious selection of cheeses, but I think we can all agree that health concerns notwithstanding, dessert is a good thing.

The Muppets

I have a special fondness for this motley crew because I watched them as a child, but even if you didn't, can you really resist Kermit, Miss Piggy, Animal, and Fozie?  Don't like puppets?  There are two old grumpy men just for you:  Statler and Waldorf.



Flowers*
Is there anyone who has an objection to flowers?  Every color of the rainbow, every shape and size, some scented, some not.  You can even opt for dried if that's your choice.  *If you're allergic, I realize you might not like flowers, but they're still pretty to look at, right?




Fresh Air

Preferably, it's clean and not too hot or too cold, but fresh air is a good thing.  No one wants to spend all their waking hours sealed in a building or an airplane.  It's good to get out there and take a deep breath.

Sleep
We may disagree on the ideal number of hours, but sleep makes us all more agreeable.  No matter your party affiliation, your religious beliefs or country of origin, sleep is essential.  And usually, after a good night's sleep, we're better able to tackle whatever this crazy world throws our way.


Please add to the list!  What else can we agree on?

Giveaway Winners! Marla Bradeen and petite send your mailing address info to ingrid@ingridthoft.com to claim your copies of The Good Goodbye!

77 comments:

  1. What a marvelous thought, Ingrid. I’m agreeing on the dessert [and voting for the chocolate one], the Muppets [the grandbabies would all vote for Elmo], the flowers, the sleep, and fresh air [although ours is ridiculously hot at the moment].
    I’d like to add good books to read and whatever movie makes you smile . . . .

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree with your list, Ingrid, and I do think it helps to stop and see what we agree on, what we have in common, which is actually much. My first thought was that all of us here could certainly agree on reading good books, which Joan has mentioned, and the movies she mentioned, too, are something we all seem to have favorites in. I would also add spending time with family, as I had my annual drive-in movie with the grandgirls and my daughter on Friday night. This year the guys came, too, my husband and my son-in-law. And, I would venture to guess that most of us can agree on seeing live plays performed. And, of course, music in all its many forms truly does seem to soothe the savage beast in us and bring joy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think time with grandchildren would be a crowd-pleaser, Kathy, especially a unique event like a drive-in movie. I've never been to one, and I don't know that I could even find one these days.

      Delete
    2. I think perhaps the problem with music is that not everyone likes the same kind of it. I listen almost exclusively to classical, with some jazz and some soundtracks, but no pop, rock, rap, etc. So music is a tough one.

      Delete
    3. Rick, I love jazz, but I'm really eclectic in my taste of music all around, anything from classic to rock to pop to Latin to Bluegrass. I think the beauty and appealing aspect of music is that everyone's tastes are different, so there's something for each person to find comfort and joy in.

      Delete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great list and I approve of all - particularly the Muppets. I'll add smiles. Who doesn't feel better when someone smiles at them? Well, as long as it's not an evil ha-ha-gotcha smile...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! The evil gotcha smile is something a lot of us would agree on not liking, Edith! ;)

      Delete
  5. I’d add dogs to the list. I find it impossible to be unhappy when mine curl on my lap or snuggle up to me or take me for a walk on a beautiful summer morning. And cats! They rule!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bet non-human companions top many people's lists. I fall into the allergic category, but had pets growing up with whom I loved to snuggle!

      Delete
    2. Can't say dogs works for me - and many others - but a cat would be fine.

      Delete
    3. Ann, dogs make my list, too.

      Delete
    4. Will trade my muppets for dogs and cats

      Delete
  6. Thanks for the smiles. Loved that you included the Muppets, loved around here for 3 generations. I would add: the music of your choice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And getting together with old, dear friends

      Delete
    2. I didn't even mention the Swedish Chef or Sam Eagle (was that his name?). Too many good characters to list them all!

      Delete
    3. Oh, Triss, one of my favorite things now is getting together with old, dear friends. Since our 40th high school reunion in 2012, there are a group of us that have dinner when I come back to visit my hometown, and there are others from my hometown who live as far away as Arizona that arrange to see each other sometime during the year. I'm now looking at reuniting with my college roommate. These gatherings have brought so much joy to my life.

      Delete
  7. Grandbabies. Especially when they're five and two and full of beans. Ours are pips.
    A genuine smile and, if they need it, a helping hand to a stranger - in these days of incivility I am trying to do this as whenever I can (even when I'm driving)... rather than being cocooned in my own need to do something or buy something or get there by...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would add nieces and nephews to the list, and I agree on the helping hand. People seem so genuinely surprised when you hold the door or offer a hand.

      Delete
  8. great idea Ingrid! The first cup of coffee in the morning? A friend or relation that you adore? Definitely a great book. How about Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood? I'm dying to see that documentary. Maybe when all our delightful and exhausting company leaves...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr. Rogers! Definitely! How could anyone not like him?

      Delete
    2. Ah, coffee is essential, Lucy. Hahaha!

      Delete
  9. The places in nature that feed us. Trees. Mountains. Water.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. I can't imagine not seeing the water everyday, Denise Ann.

      Delete
  10. I have to say animals, because life would be so boring without them. I might even like animals more than dessert (not to eat, mind you)! And thank you so much for the update about The Good Goodbye. I've sent you an email.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I understand, Marla. Always good to keep your animals and your dessert separate.

      Delete
  11. The smell of a baby's head. A good hug, especially from a dearly loved person. Kindness in any and every form. Hummingbirds at the feeder. The first peaches. Fresh bread. The smell of freshly roasted coffee; even if you don't like the taste, nearly everyone loves the aroma. Dare I add chocolate to the list? Why not?

    Right now I am in between two of the world's most beautiful lakes, and judging by the number of other human beings here, they are also universally loved.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the smell of coffee. I don't drink it, but I love the aroma. That's a good one, Karen!

      Delete
    2. "The smell of a baby's head." Yuck!! Definitely a not agree on that one. Kindness, yes, absolutely.

      Delete
    3. I love the smell of a baby's head! I guess we have to disagree on that, Rick! ;)

      Delete
    4. I remember in the show "Everybody Loves Raymond," the grandfather loved the smell of his baby grandchildrens' heads. And, I find myself giving a baby's head a sniff when I hold one, and thinking how sweet it is.

      Delete
  12. My first mug of New Orleans blend coffee every morning, freshly ground beans in the French Press. Walking the dogs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, another French Press devotee. Is there any other way to make great coffee?

      Delete
    2. A lot of coffee drinkers around here. That must be why you are all so alert and thoughtful first thing in the morning!

      Delete
  13. I'll add dogs - or any pets - and hugs of all kind, but especially those from the grandchildren!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hugs from kids, related or not, are always a good thing.

      Delete
  14. I'm pretty sure everyone here loves books. :) I'd also add puppies, kittens, and family time. Sadly, none of these are universal, like Ingrid's list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Books! I hope everyone loves them, and if they don't, they just haven't met the right book yet!

      Delete
  15. I'm going to throw my vote to music (big surprise) which several have already mentioned. You might disagree about the genre you prefer, but every culture in every time has made music of some sort, so it must be hardwired into us somehow. And I'll also vote for visual art on the same logic. Every culture has made it, and there are just some times when I don't want words--I want to see through someone else's eyes whether I'm looking at street art or an old master.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with both of those, Gigi. Visual art can be painters of the Renaissance or street art and everything in between. There really is something for everyone.

      Delete
    2. Gigi, when my husband was stationed at the Pentagon, my favorite place to go was the National Gallery of Art. Just being in the presence of all that visual art was so amazing. It just seeped into my soul and filled me with peace.

      Delete
  16. First off, I love the Muppets but had no idea the old guys were Statler and Waldorf, so thanks for that info. Also, you had me at dessert. In addition to the above mentioned books, hugs, pets, and nature, I would add music, no matter what sort you prefer, music can soothe what ails you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If the hooligans are grumpy, Jenn, you can start calling them Statler and Waldorf!

      Delete
  17. Great list. I'll add cute baby animal pictures. Even some of the weirdest looking animals are cute as babies, right?

    Mary/Liz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love, love, love cute baby animals. They are a surefire way to distract me from work!

      Delete
  18. Great lists! It's already been mentioned, but I'll put water high on my list--to drink, to listen to--a stream gurgling, a river flowing, waves at the beach ceaselessly running into land and out again. Music especially--natural (see water) and human-made. People, period. I once saw a middle-aged woman in a fur coat--patiently guiding her elderly mother through the grocery store and check-out line. A toddler at the table next to mine--making two-fisted inroads into its breakfast, completely absorbed. My neighbor's mama dog rolling her pup around in the yard. A sleepy-faced cat climbing across my keyboard to curl up in my lap. Good books. The pleasure of an unexpected call from friend or family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I couldn't agree more about water, Flora. It makes me think of a quote I love by Isak Dinesen: "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea."

      Delete
  19. You've all captured many of the universal pleasures! I really had to think about what else might fit here. I think the feeling of a hot shower or bath is pretty high on the list. And the sound of a giggling baby. The feeling you get when someone really understands you to the point that they get your jokes, or you can share a joke with just eye contact. Oh, and sunshine! Don't we all find it easier to be in a good mood when the sun is shining?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A hot shower or bath is like sleep to me, Susan. I always feel better afterwards. And sunshine is critical; don't we need Vitamin D to survive?

      Delete
  20. Ingrid, thank you for starting my Sunday with your list and the inspiration to everyone else. These feel more like gratitudes than agreements ( says she who is very allergic to cats and dogs, cuddling with either would be agony!). It is wonderful to read what brings joy to so many. Thank you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm with you on the allergy front, Elisabeth. I'm happy to admire dogs and cats from afar, and I know how much joy they give others!

      Delete
  21. The smell of fresh baked bread...oh my.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Trees. And the ocean. Both give me deep-rooted happiness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The natural world, be it water, trees, mountains, etc. definitely should be on the list.

      Delete
  23. This is so brilliant! Yes yes yes. Seeing a shooting star. Finding a four leaf clover. A Rainbow .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Everyone loves a rainbow! Good one, Hank. There's something so magical and unexpected (not to mention beautiful) about a rainbow that people can't resist.

      Delete
    2. Agreed! I have way too many photos of them! I actually jumped up and down when I see them, so funny!

      Delete
  24. Comedy. Choose your style or your favorite performers, but I think we can all agree that a good laugh, particularly in ridiculously difficult times, is a basic necessity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A good laugh is definitely something we can all agree on, E.J. Hasn't there been research about how good laughing is for our bodies?

      Delete
    2. E.J., how we all need laughter.

      Delete
  25. Hand written notes of thanks and appreciation......a blessing, both for the sender and the recipient. Who doesn't like to receive a special card or letter in the mail? Thank you Ingrid for this perfect Sunday reflection.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Helen! Handwritten notes--which seem to be a dying art--are the best! I always write handwritten thank you notes, and I'm tickled when I get anything handwritten in the mail.

      Delete
  26. Comedy, a good laugh, rainbows, a cat's purr, handwritten notes, dessert, grandchildren's giggles, all covered here, all I can think of to add is that feeling of peace that we sometimes get when we realize yes, despite the odds, everything is going to all right, and a good massage!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love a good massage, Kait! And a general feeling of peace can only be a good thing.

      Delete
  27. And oh,! When you see a dolphin leap out of the water, you know? Or a whale?

    ReplyDelete
  28. I didn't read through all the comments so someone else might have said my first thing -- libraries and lava lamps.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sherry, those are two new additions! I totally agree!

      Delete
  29. Moonrises, full moons, starry skies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Looking to the sky can only make you feel better!

      Delete