In the past, I’ve positioned these types of posts as everything from a happiness list to the return of the FRTBAT. Around Thanksgiving, I might talk about what I’m thankful for. Today, I’m framing it as a gratitude list. Because we could all take a quiet moment to reflect on all the good in our lives.
Cold Brew Coffee
I like coffee. For a time there, I think I literally had six different ways for making coffee at home, from a French press to a typical drip brewer. And while I tend to rely on my Italian stovetop espresso maker most mornings, I love the cool convenience of cold brew coffee. Especially on hot summer days.
Generally speaking, I try to keep one batch brewing in the fridge at any given time. That way, if I feel like an iced coffee as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, it’s right there, ready to go. Considering that I am indeed fueled by caffeine and Wi-Fi, it should come as little surprise that cold brew coffee tops this gratitude list.
Parenting 101 Podcast
Truly, the Parenting 101 Podcast with Dale and Jessi is a breath of fresh air. And I’m not just saying that because I shared a tent with Dale Allen Berg at #5DadsGoWild last September. (We’re going again next month, so keep your eyes peeled on that hashtag.) It’s just really great to listen to an honest and supportive conversation between a couple of parents who are just trying to make things work.
For context, Dale is a stay-at-home dad to three kids and Jessi Mandoli is a full-time working mom to two kids. And all five of those children are under the age of five, so I can certainly identify with many of the challenges they discuss. Find it wherever you get your podcasts.
Tantrum-Free Since…
Continuing on the topic of parenting — because fatherhood has literally taken over my life — I’m incredibly thankful for the little human my daughter is becoming. Now, while we are certainly not without our frustrations and disagreements, my little girl and I get along remarkably well.
It feels like only yesterday that I was writing about surviving the terrible twos. But, I can’t even remember when was the last time I had to deal with a meltdown or public tantrum. She’s been upset with me, to be sure, and she lets me know it, but it’s hasn’t gotten to the point where we’d have to defuse a public outburst. Not in a very long time. She’s such a sweet little girl.
Here’s my thinking on this. The single biggest cause of tantrums is a breakdown of communication. Either the child can’t (completely) understand what the parent is trying to say, or the child can’t (or won’t) adequately communicate what they’re feeling or thinking. My daughter is very talkative, so even when we disagree, we can usually talk it out.
New Work Opportunities
I can’t yet go into detail on this, as several of the pieces are still being finalized. Nothing is quite official just yet. What I can say is that some new opportunities should be right around the corner.
On some level, it’s rather remarkable that I’ve been a full-time freelance writer for the better part of 14 years. Despite all the ups and downs, I’m still here with my comfortably middle-class existence. These upcoming opportunities further solidify the decision I made to become an entrepreneur all those years ago.
The Good Place
And I end this gratitude list on a bit of a bittersweet note. Broadly speaking, we expect to shut off our brains when we watch a typical sitcom. From a show about nothing in New York to a show about six Gen-Xers in a New York coffee shop, that’s just good television. But The Good Place? That’s GREAT television.
Somehow, they’ve managed to create a comedy that combines bathroom humor with moral philosophy. Where else can you find a deep discussion of Kierkegaard and jokes about sex robots in the same episode? And somehow it all works in the most beautiful, educational, and literally laugh-out-loud funny kind of way.
Sadly, it’s all coming to a close. The fourth and final season of The Good Place premieres on September 26, 2019. BORTLES!
What’s on Your Gratitude List?
Truthfully, if you have the means and the wherewithal to read this blog post, you’re ahead of the curve. Gratitude is nothing more than a matter of perspective. While you might complain you never have time for yourself (and you’re perfectly justified in thinking so), that also means you’re always surrounded by loved ones. A busy life is one “free” from boredom. It all comes down to how you choose to think about it.
So, endeavor to be grateful. What would you put on your gratitude list? What are you most thankful for?
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