When something is a favorite, we never seem to tire of that thing. In this post I discuss some favorite things of mine.
The phrase “My Favorite” can be followed by many different words. For example, in movies there are several versions of My Favorite Wife. Also, My Favorite Year.
Other “My Favorites” in life include My Favorite Things, the song from the movie The Sound of Music. People may have a favorite: pet, friend, TV show, football team, song, book, food, or place.
As a favorite, we never seem to tire of that thing. We can listen to a song multiple times, watch a movie until we have memorized the script, and reread a book – seeing something new with each reading.
Obviously, we don’t seem to get tired of our time with favorite friends. That is, when visited in moderation of course!
Conversely, when we are frustrated, our favorite place is anywhere other than where we are right now! Some favorites aren’t very specific. For instance, a favorite food can be anything that’s chocolate!
When my character is transformed by the precepts of wisdom, I live in balance. And, I find favor with both God and with others. In addition, I recognize what’s most essential about those key relationships in life. See Proverbs 3.3-4. Therefore, if I’m going to have a favorite anything, it should be this abundant life! proverbsforprofessionals.net
Criteria for Favorite
So, what’s the criteria for something to be “My Favorite”? I suspect you will receive a variety of answers to this question. For example, something is a favorite because it was (or is) entertaining, exciting, moving, or recalls pleasant thoughts.
But, sometimes, I suspect, there isn’t a sound criteria at all for a favorite anything. We are stumped when asked “Why is that your favorite?”
Similarly, we can outgrow some favorite things, such as a favorite toy as a child. Thus, the concept of favorite can be rather fickle, that is, not firmly rational or logical.
In Genesis 29.30 we read that Jacob “loved Rachel more than Leah.” Leah’s response, in Genesis 29.32, after the birth of her first son, was “the Lord sees my affliction…now my husband will love me.” Favoritism deeply impacts a family. proverbsforprofessionals.net
Problems With Favoritism
We can play favorites by showing undue deference to another person. Unfortunately, we may be swayed in our opinion by factors such as appearance, power, or wealth.
Worse yet, we can be swayed by misunderstanding or by lies.
We expect judges to be neutral, not swayed by factors such as wealth or power.
Continually favoring a time in the past means we are living elsewhere, in another time. We’re not present in the moment. Those around us don’t benefit from our authentic self. As a result, we are unfulfilled and dissatisfied. Always wishing for another time, another place, another relationship.
Truly, some favorites are extremely problematic. Believing you have a favorite child is very likely to cause long-term problems in a family. More generally, comparisons can be a source of trouble in our personal lives if we continually find fault with who we are.
From Genesis 37.3 we learn that Jacob loved Joseph “more than all his children” simply because he was born when Jacob was old. The response of Joseph’s brothers, in the next verse, was that “they hated him.” proverbsforprofessionals.net
Some Good About Favorites
Despite the problems, favorites can also have good qualities. Let take a favorite holiday. For me, it’s Christmas.
I mean, who chooses Columbus Day as their favorite holiday, right?
For Christmas, let’s focus on factors such as: anticipation, relationships and fellowship, music and movies, and the deepest meaning of the season.
Anticipation
As a child, we anticipate Christmas morning because of the gifts. We have had weeks to look forward to the new stuff we are getting. Granted, some gifts are really dumb, like new underwear.
But, there was always the new bike or an electric train!
Truth is, anticipation is equally enjoyable for adults. It’s fun to look forward to an event. Similarly, it’s enjoyable to work toward, then accomplish, a deeply-desired goal in life. We can look back at those milestones, later in life, and feel proud at what we accomplished.
Relationships and Fellowship
Christmas most always involves immediate family. Often, it included extended family as well. Parents relish seeing the children and grandchildren. However, parents also enjoy seeing their adult children, and grandchildren, having fun being with each other at Christmas or other times of the year.
The fellowship of Christmas has to do with visits to friends, or other social gatherings, such as at church or work. Homes in the U.S. are decorated with lights and garland.
It’s Ok to overeat – I confirmed this via a Google search! – as we interact with people in a (mostly) non-stressed setting.
Music and Movies
Some Christmas music is deeply spiritual, being focused on the birth of the Messiah. And, some of it is silly, such as the 1979 Elmo and Patsy classic song Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer. The song involves too much eggnog and walking home in the snow.
I really like the 1945 movie Christmas in Connecticut. It’s the classic American picture of Christmas, with lots of snow, sleigh rides, logs in the fireplace, and friends getting together. Unfortunately, movie like Holiday Inn (1942) and White Christmas (1954) don’t often break into the Top 10 lists of favorite Christmas movies.
Deepest Meaning
We should be careful to not miss the true meaning of the Christmas season by focusing on Santa Claus and pre-lit Christmas trees, with that one plug that impossible to find!
The coming of a Savior opens several of the gospel accounts. It ties directly to a number of prophesies written hundreds of years prior.
We can get really busy with things like relationships and fellowship – all good things – and forget why there are Christmas songs in our hymn books.
Some Takeaways
Favorites are a source of deep enjoyment and pleasant memories.
Playing favorites can be the root cause of serious problems that come about much later in life.
At times, how something becomes a favorite is totally illogical. It’s simply a matter of personal choice!
The pleasant memories of my favorites, and the pleasure of favorite times and places, must not override who I am becoming right now. It’s good to enjoy favorites, but much better to recognize the immense value of knowing and pursuing our life purpose.