The day before Thanksgiving, my family and I were in Los Angeles for the first time in nearly six months. We had gone to California for an appointment with the Mexican Consulate, and it happened to correspond with the holiday. Early on Wednesday morning, I drove three hours to and from San Diego with my wife and oldest child. When we returned to my parents’ home in the afternoon, I wanted to get some rest and make progress on a few work-related projects.
As soon as my daughter was reunited with her two younger brothers, who stayed with my parents while we went to San Diego, they put together a different agenda. They wanted to go to their favorite park that they like to visit when in town at their grandparents’ home. Since we are infrequently in the United States together, I consented to their request and climbed back in the car for the ten-minute drive to the park.
I sat and watched them play with other children. They ran, jumped, swung on swings, slid on the sliding boards and had what appeared to be the time of their life. As they played, I took a moment to think about this season in my life. I looked at the other men at the park who were spending time with their children. I contemplated what was going on in their lives.
It’s officially Fall, and for many men who live in the United States, that means it is time for football, turkey, family, and friends. The National Football League (NFL) season began in September, and by November many men have created schedules that reserve Sundays to watch the game. Families and friends come together to give thanks on Thanksgiving. Some men will pause from work and the NFL to recognize the people, things, and opportunities that are usually taken for granted.
As I continued to watch my children play, I was reminded of the need for daily gratitude practices. Gratitude practices are a positive action that can lead to productivity and increased opportunities. However, taking time to acknowledge what we currently have and desire in our lives should not be limited to one time of the year. If you’re a man with children reading this post, I believe it is especially vital that you make a habit of creating space within your daily schedules to give thanks.
Simple and seemingly ordinary things are abundant in the lives of fathers; however, we don’t always take time to appreciate their value. A smile from a loving child is a reason to give thanks. If you can share with your children, the sight of birds flying in the sky, the warmth of the sun on your face, the smell of freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies in the oven, or the sound of great music, it is worthy of recognition.
These small things in our lives are often not recognized, because of their frequency, our busy work schedules, school, or other activities that appear to be more critical.
◊♦◊
As a husband, father and entrepreneur, I have witnessed the impact that making time for consistent gratitude practices has had in my life. They are part of my morning routine that includes time for exercise, writing, meditation, and prayer. The following are two simple actions that fathers and other men can use to make gratitude a consistent daily practice.
Use a gratitude journal
Designate a notebook as your gratitude journal. Take 5-10 minutes in your morning or evening to recognize the tangible and intangible possessions in your life. I prefer to start the day with time to write down a minimum of three possessions, people, or opportunities in my life. This practice enables me to start my day with a positive action.
Take a gratitude walk
It doesn’t have to be a long walk. Ten to fifteen minutes alone or with someone where you recognize people, things, ideas or opportunities in your life is sufficient.
With consistent use of a gratitude journal or walk, it will be more feasible to see the areas of your life that can be approved. Whether you’re a father or a man without children, I believe it is essential to acknowledge the simplicity of the beauty in every day. This week’s call to action is for you to make gratitude a daily practice as you navigate this world in shaping an authentic identity of yourself.
—
This post is republished on Medium.
—
Photo credit: iStock
Gratitude practices have been the single most important daily habit I have incorporated into my life. Whe I began them, they lifted me from a deep depression helping me focus on what I had rather than on what I lacked. As I continue to practice them today, they have changed my entire outllook on life and living. The two practices you suggest are the most important, the citical attributes toward living a happier life. Most people shun writing and journaling of any kind, yet eople who succeed in 12 Step Programs owe the lion’s shre of their achievement to journaling.… Read more »