Parenting Blog

"May we never let the things we don’t have spoil our enjoyment of the things we do have and can have. As we value our happiness, let us not forget it, for one of the greatest lessons in life is learning to be happy without the things we cannot or should not have." -- Richard L. Evans

It's impossible to be an enthusiastic, generously loving parent when you're unhappy. But most of us don't wake up feeling happy every morning.

That's why sages have always recommended a daily practice. Whether it's prayer, meditation, a gratitude list, spiritual reading, singing, chanting, journaling or affirmations, we all need a way to reconnect on a daily basis with the deep springs inside that replenish us.

Even when we wake up feeling less than happy, taking as little as ten minutes for such a daily practice always makes us feel better.  Even pressing problems seem more manageable.

Make it a rule not to start your day without making yourself at least a little happier. Think of it the way you think of brushing your teeth -- just something you do every morning. 

Have little kids and no time? Why not:

• List at least ten things you're grateful for, with your kids, every morning? (Repetition allowed.)
• Or sing devotional songs on their level, like "All You Need is Love" or "Rise and Shine and Give God your Glory" or "Tis a gift to be simple"?
• Or have each person at the breakfast table tell every other family member something they appreciate about them?

You'll be amazed at how the whole tone of your day changes.