I'm writing this article the weekend before Election Day. The next President of the United States will be announced Tuesday evening, most likely hours after this article is published. Here is what I recommend, whether before or after the outcome is announced: re-watch The Sound of Music.
Here are a few reasons I realized how much I love this movie as an adult, and the lessons that can be derived from it (mainly through Maria).
1) I am an unsolvable problem.
Maria. She sings all the time. She dances and skips with plenty of tripping. She loves being outside. She's an unrelenting optimist. She's always late (except for every meal). She's amused by childish playing, and despite her (not great) efforts, she can't be changed. Maria is a role model, and someone I greatly relate to proudly. If you can relate, be glad to be a flibbertijibbet and a clown.
2) Christopher Plummer as Captain Georg Von Trapp.
As a kid, I pictured him as a boring mean father who became a boring nice father. Some people may still hold this idea, but I think Plummer does an amazing job of conveying a multitude of emotions without really changing his facial expression. He's strong and silent and witty. He takes a stand against the Nazis, and never compromises. Not to mention, he's a very handsome man.
3) Maria standing up for herself.
I am a woman who speaks her mind, and then dissects every word I said for the next seven years. Maria strikes again as a role model in not allowing the Captain to bully her in any manner. She consistently stood up for herself and the children without ever losing her femininity and kindness. Maria proves that you don't have to tame yourself or stop speaking your mind to attract the right person. If speaking your mind is your greatest fault, believe me, there are worse things.
4) No matter who is President, life will go on, and you should stand for your principles.
As Captain Von Trapp said, "Oh yes you can help it, you must help it." If you voted, you've done your part for the election, after that, all you can do is stand your ground no matter what. Even when Austria was being invaded by Germany all around them, the Von Trapp's stood their ground as long as they possibly could.
5) Fashion is not everything.
Maria realizes the need for one to live their life without constantly worrying about appearance or ruining nice clothes. Of course, even she dresses up occasionally, but it is not what makes her beautiful. For one, she's portrayed by Julie Andrews, who could wear a Hillary Clinton pantsuit and still manage to look classy. But also, even the Captain says he first started falling for her when she was wearing this hideous dress. The right people don't care what you wear.
6) Our love stories are rarely what we expect.
There's something to be said for every loves story. I find the best ones to be two stubborn, blunt, and confident people who start out clashing and end up in love. Perhaps it's because I have a smart mouth of my own, but I really like the stories of an independent woman falling for a strong willed man. Being two individual forces of nature often leads to an unbeatable duo when they fall in love. This is true to Georg and Maria.
So if the presidential race on the news becomes too much for you, or you're upset with the results and need some comfort, I highly recommend this movie. The world is stressful enough, sometimes you just need some innocent and comforting diversion. Most importantly remember what the Reverend Mother says, "when God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window."
