Nine things I can’t live without

When my middle son was in first grade, he found a little yellow frog in our toy box. It was one of those small toys that you get out of a coin-operated vending machine. For a three week period, the 50 cent toy meant the world to him. He carried it with him wherever he went. Against my wishes, he even managed to sneak it into a family portrait that we had taken.

Another time we couldn’t leave the house until he found the little frog. Of course, as quickly as it showed up on the scene, it was gone. It was left behind or lost in our travels. Oh we still laugh about the frog. We laugh at how he sneaked the frog into the picture. I even have to laugh at his ingenuity.

I was reminded of the frog recently and got to thinking about the things that we carry — the things that mean something to us, the things that we can’t live without. I don’t put a lot of value into concrete things, but I still have things that I count on and need with me each day:

  1. A microfiber cloth for cleaning my glasses. If you know, you know. There’s nothing worse than having a smudge or greasy oil on your glasses. It’s even worse when you have nothing to clean them. And don’t give me a tissue or piece of toilet paper. It will just make it worse.
  2. Coffee with cream (no sugar) gets me going in the morning. A Diet Pepsi keeps things going in the afternoon. I’m trying to give up the soda, but I’m doing horribly with that goal.
  3. A journal or laptop for writing.
  4. A favorite book. I hate not having something good to read. I can think of a few choices: The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien; To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee; The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway; The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas; Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White; Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling; The Godfather by Mario Puzo; and The Call of the Wild by Jack London all come to mind.

  1. Reliance on exaggeration and a sarcastic sense of humor to get through my day. I’m not sure if we’re born with exaggeration and sarcasm. Perhaps, we develop them over time. Either way, I got in line twice for both. The pothole in the road isn’t just big, it’s bigger than Lake Ontario. Later, it will be pouring rain and I’ll be the one saying “Oh, isn’t this just a beautiful day!” My theory, of course, is that a sarcastic comment a day keeps the doctor away.
  2. A good song to bring on positive thoughts. Something like Best Day of My Life by American Authors, Joy to the World by Three Dog Night, Take it Easy by the Eagles, Can’t Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake, Beautiful Day by U2, or even Fight Song by Rachel Platten.
  3. Time to think. I have a tendency to be an over thinker. However, I still like when I have a general direction or a mission to work toward. It calms the “achiever” inside of me.
  4. A smile, a hug, and a bit of kindness from my loved ones or even strangers.
  5. A walk each day. Duh. A pretty obvious one.

What about you? What’s a must for you? A lucky charm? A favorite picture?

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54 thoughts on “Nine things I can’t live without”

  1. That’s a great list Brian. I hate to say it but I would be lost without my phone these days. Music, I definitely need that, coffee and I love that you said hugs, that’s essential I would say too. Fresh air, clean water, a roof over my head, all the things we take for granted but many would love to have.

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  2. Excellent list, Brian.

    • must have my coffee, just milk, no cream or sugar
    • must have a book (have three on the go, usually, paper/hard cover, Kindle, and audio
    • a walk – though, I admit, some days are harder to get out there
    • I’m sure I’ll think of others, once my coffee has finished doing what it needs to do 😉

    Liked by 4 people

  8. 1.music, most everything

    2.coffee with cream,

    3.words (written down by me or read or heard or shared with someone out loud),

    4.movies, (quirky, foreign, indy, obscure, sweet, classic, hidden treasures)

    5.people (family, friends, new cultures,random stranger encounters)

    6.walking in nature, travel

    7. food, cooking, baking spicy, pasta, savory, crunchy

    8.soft surroundings (clothes, furniture, blankets, pillows,bed)

    9.acts of kindness

    sorry I broke mine into sub categories

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Nine good ones! And I’m still laughing about the frog. Isn’t it amazing how those talismans get picked and then become so important, if just for a while? Other than the coffee (and I drink Diet Coke and am having a hard time kicking that habit too), I’m with you all the way!! Gotta go – Cooper says it’s time for that walk! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That darn frog!!! For three weeks it was the Bain of my existence. And it was so small, it would get lost easily. And of course, the lil stinker got into our pic. One of those times when the inmates were definitely running the asylum. Ha ha. We really do laugh about it now. 🤣🤣🤣😎

      Liked by 1 person

  10. This is beautiful. It really is the little things that make life worth living. I’m so grateful for cool breeze on beautiful sunny days, the gentle unconditional love that envelops me everyday, my beautiful home, my awesome car, my prosperity and abundance, and my ability to connect with others

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Things I can’t live without? Top of the list, my dogs. I need a couple of books on the go at all times, can’t seem to go a day without chocolate and hugs and music are a must. Your list is great.

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  13. Music is at the top of my list. I can’t get through the day without it.

    When I was six years old, I had a little plastic turtle that was every bit as important to me as your son’s frog. Sadly, he never did make it into any family portraits.

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  14. It’s always cute to see the little toys or objects that become the centre of our children’s universe until the next item comes along!

    I love your list and it’s always good to have things that get us through the highs and the mundane of our days.

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    1. Oh but Ab, this toy was tiny. And we could not leave until he found it. I swear we were late for everything for those three weeks. If I put my wife under truth serum, I’d bet ten bucks she’d admit that she threw it out. Ha ha. 🤣🤣🤣😎😎

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  15. Hey Brian, you got me on –Reliance on exaggeration and a sarcastic sense of humor to get through my day. See why I said you need to do standup? 🤣🎭😂

    Great list. A yellow frog eh? Ribbit! 🐸😲🐸

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      1. Oh honey, would you believe one of my brothers told me a few decades ago, that God made me so that he would have something/a joke to laugh at! Oh how I wanted to sucker punch him right in the ole kisser, but I was afraid to go to jail! 😂😝🤣

        Liked by 1 person

  16. Had to laugh at Lake Ontario because mine is always Texas. Love this list. I definitely have a few things. A hoodie. I’m always cold. My keys. Even if I’m with my partner and not driving. Coffee soda or water. Coffee preferred. My phone. Music. Snacks.

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  18. Good list. I’d exchange the coffee for milk chocolate and peanut butter. I’ve been called weird for not being a coffee drinker, oh well. I have my lovely melty chocolate and pb. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Rose, it’s not weird at all. I survived high school, college, and the early years of parenting without coffee. It’s only been a thing for me in recent years. And then I try to keep it to one a day!!! Yes, probably should’ve added chocolate in my list some where. 🤣🤣🤣😎😎

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