320 days ago I was given a book called 364 Days of Thanksgiving, by Andrew Schroer.
This book challenged me to take a moment each day, for 364 days to write down something that I am thankful for.
The thankful moments are supposed to be unique each day which forces me to take tiny snapshots instead of always looking at the big picture. I can’t simply write, “I am thankful for my kids” because it encompasses too much. However, I can write about a specific game time with my youngest, or a quick car conversation with my oldest. I write about being thankful that we have a weekend day at home together with no plans and I write about being thankful when they go back to school on Monday.
It has also given me an opportunity to take snapshots of my jobs and adult life. Comments about coworkers that are excellent at their jobs. Observations of ways that the community surrounds those who are sick and hurting. Moments where I relish the fact that I get to work with my husband and we enjoy each other!
On the last day, #365 I will take the time to read through all of these thankful moments and reflect on my year. I know some of my thankful moments will be very lighthearted (clean socks) while others very big moments (a friend finishing cancer treatments). The important lesson to hold onto is that there is something to be thankful for in every moment.
Our day-to-day lives are filled with moments. Sometimes the tough moments can feel overwhelming. During this year of thankfulness, I have watched friends fight cancer, lose family members, start new school situations and struggle with children who are facing their own challenges. In the midst of those tough moments, stopping to see the good was an important way to find balance and hope.
The month of November is typically a month of thankfulness leading up to the Thanksgiving Holiday. Perhaps you and your family would like to try a 2 week challenge of a similar sort. Write down each day a snapshot item that you are thankful for. It can be a warm house on a cool morning, clean clothes in the hamper, or a kind smile from a stranger. On Thanksgiving Day, read through the items that you are thankful for. Share them with each other and BE THANKFUL!
If you would like to try the 364 day version, you can get a copy of Andrew Schroer’s book here.
Teaching Integrity
I’ve been reading a book called Souls of Steel by Pat Williams. Pat Williams is currently a motivational speaker and sports executive, currently serving as a senior vice president of the NBA’s Orlando Magic.
His book is filled with stories of sports heroes, leaders and coaches who have reached their goals by maintaining a life of integrity and honesty. Stories of coaches who choose to take the high road; stories of players who don’t take shortcuts and easy paths.
One constant in these stories is the role of parents in shaping these men and women into the adults they are today. They tell of moms and dads who modeled great work ethics both in their official jobs and in their responsibilities at home.
I was struck yesterday by a simple teaching about mistakes. We all make mistakes. We all have moments in which we let our guard down and make a poor choice. Pat Williams’ point that he teaches is that we have to be on guard not to make the “second mistake”. This is the mistake of trying to cover up our first mistake with denial, lies or cover-ups. How can we teach children to own their mistakes, learn from them and move on?
I have two opportunities as a parent.
One – I have the knowledge that I am my children’s first and foremost model in living a life of integrity. I need to avoid gray areas in my life and talk with my kids loudly and often about how I make decisions when moments come up that I can cut a corner or receive something that I didn’t necessarily deserve.
Two – I can own up when I make a mistake, share what I learned and demonstrate how to make it right. Along those same lines, I can help my children learn that it always better to “fess up” and move on rather than hold on to a mistake and the guilt that can accompany it.
This is a tough and wonderful challenge. May we step into 2018 as men and women of integrity!