June 18, 2017

Happy Father’s Day! Ā This post is dedicated to my husband-the father that does so many things well that it is hard to even explain it into words. Ā But there are other amazing fathers in my life too.

My own Dad is pretty amazing. My father-in-law. My uncles. Ā My cousins are rocking the Dad thing. My brother. Ā The list goes on and on.

To say that I am grateful for these people is an understatement. Ā Gratitude is a noun but Father’s Day is about practicing gratitude..about BEING grateful. Ā Last month, I tried a gratitude journal experiment. But one important person got left out…until today.

Gratitude Challenge Background

I went to a conference a couple of months ago and one of the exercises was to write down 2-3 things that you appreciated about a co-worker that you knew well. Ā A person that I admire a lot said this about me

  • Validates feelings of others, encourages people to try new things, creative/ forward thinking

 

And it felt good. Ā It reminded me of something another colleague said a long time ago about me:

  • She gets things done.

I don’t know why those two things stand out so much. Ā But sometimes, it’s the tiny words of encouragement that really make you feel amazing.

And so I started trying to tell people I know what I appreciated about them.

30 Days 30 People Gratitude Challenge

Every day on Instagram/Facebook, I posted a quick note to a friend, relative or colleague telling them what I thought was so special about them. Ā The goal was to get to 30 days…I failed. Ā After about 19 days, I missed a weekend and that turned into a week and then it kinda fizzled.

(Maybe I don’t get things done after all, Stephen).

Still Grateful

Some people that I meant to get to got left out. Ā My mother in law, Carol Taylor; my old friend, Leilani Mason; many great co-workers from San Diego, all of the day care providers and babysitters that we use or have used in the past.

I didn’t quite get to all of them because life got in the way. Ā But, the one that deserves it the most was designed to be the grand finale (and fall time-wise right around Father’s Day). Ā My husband.

And….I didn’t get it done.

Happy Father’s Day

So, let me take this moment to be grateful for all Father’s but especially the father of my own three gorgeous children. Ā I really could make a list of the things that are amazing about him (and it would probably embarrass him more than anything).

That list would include awesome chef, killer of bugs, parking wizard, two handed midnight bottle feeding champion, boo-boo kissing expert and all around good guy. Ā But most importantly, he is a person that always encourages me to take risks and to go after the big things. And for that, I am most grateful.

Kyle Taylor, this is your day! I could not do the things that I do without you doing the things that you do. Ā  I am grateful beyond words that we both decided to play Bar Poker on some random day way back when. Ā And for every single day since.

Gratitude Journal Recap

For a recap of all of the people that I did get to…watch this little video.

And maybe go tell the people in your life that you are grateful to them.

 

About the Author

Jen Taylor, LCSW-C, RPT-S is an EMDR Approved Consultant and Certified Journal to the Self Instructor.  She is a therapist specializing in complex trauma, an international play therapy teacher and a published writer of multiple play therapy chapters.  Jen is the creator of the original 2017 Play Therapy Summit and many other innovative programs for mental health professionals.  Jen uses writing therapy, play therapy and expressive arts for her clients and for other mental health professionals so they can lead more joyful and meaningful lives.  Jen encourages people to try new things and create daily habits that allow for incremental progress towards previously unimaginable results.   Jen is a travel enthusiast, an avid reader, and a girl who lifts weights and runs for fun.  

  • Beautifully written! Everyone needs and loves validation. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…you are a great trip organizer and planner. Better even than Sandy (but we won’t tell her that).

  • {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}
    >