What a chimney sweep taught me about living well -

Dec. 18, 2025, 4:41 a.m. ET

Actor Dick Van Dyke credits his longevity to refusing to let life’s hardships define him.
Van Dyke finds joy and fulfillment in simple things like romance, doing what he loves, and laughing.
The holidays are a good time to reflect on what brings you personal joy.
For those struggling with life’s demands, professional mental health support is available.

During this holiday season, I’ve been thinking a great deal about the wisdom of childhood heroes. One of mine was Dick Van Dyke ‒ whose joyful energy, physical comedy, and musical charm in films like “Mary Poppins” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” left indelible impressions on my childhood.

In “Mary Poppins,” Van Dyke played Bert the chimney sweep and famously sang “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” The song celebrates optimism, imagination, and the belief that joy can be found even in the most ordinary places. Bert’s spirit was infectious, reminding us that fulfillment comes less from our circumstances and more from the attitude we bring to them. I’ve been a lifelong fan because of that outlook.

This month, Van Dyke contributed a reflection to The Free Press’s “Ancient Wisdom.” He wrote: “I’ve made it to 100, in no small part, because I have stubbornly refused to give in to the bad stuff in life: failures and defeats, personal losses, loneliness and bitterness, the physical and emotional pains of aging. That stuff is real, but I have not let it define me.”

What I appreciate about this is his honesty. He doesn’t deny sadness, loss, loneliness, or pain ‒ experiences that are very real and can feel even sharper during the holiday season. Instead, he names them and then points us toward that which sustains him.

He continues: “For the vast majority of my years, I have been in what I can only describe as a full-on bear hug with the experience of living. Boiled down, the things that have kept my life joyful and fulfilling are pretty simple: romance, doing what I love, and a whole lot of laughing.”

Pretty good ingredients, don’t you think?

We may not all share Van Dyke’s exact list, but the holidays offer a meaningful moment to pause and take inventory of the simple things that help each of us embrace a “full-on bear hug” with life. For me, family, friendships, faith, and exercise are what keep me grounded, grateful, and, as Van Dyke said, “stubbornly refusing to give in to the bad stuff in life.”

What are those simple ingredients for you? Can you name them?

Still, for many, the idea of a bear hug with living feels out of reach ‒ less like an embrace and more like a squeeze that takes the last bit of energy you have left. When life’s demands, losses, or hardships become overwhelming, professional support can make all the difference.

At Ridgeview, our warm and compassionate staff are ready to meet you where you are, walk with you through difficult seasons, and help you rediscover the possibility of hope, healing, and joyful recovery. Guided by trauma-informed care, compassionate crisis response, and a no-wrong-door approach, Ridgeview provides a safe place for anyone seeking support. And in that safety, there is a reminder that you are not alone ‒ and that, in time, you too can experience that full-on bear hug with living once again.

If you or someone you know is in need of professional help, Ridgeview is here to support you. Care can begin today through Ridgeview’s Walk-in Clinic locations in Anderson, Campbell, Fentress, Morgan, Scott, and Roane counties. Visit www.ridgeview.com to learn more.

For anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, Ridgeview’s Mobile Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 1-800-870-5481.

Michael Yates is the director of development at Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services.

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