What Really Matters?

I was recently back from a wonderful trip and in the middle of publishing a new post about the cruise (and how not to gain weight on a cruise) when it hit--Father's Day.

It used to be that we were only bombarded with ads leading up to the big day and Hallmark hints showing up everywhere. But Social Media has changed all that too, in a big way.

I probably should have just stayed away from social media but I didn't. There are well wishes and "Happy Father's Day" comments all over to wonderful dads and husbands. There are even posts to dads in Heaven, always adding how they are missed, usually adding how long they've been gone. Father's Day has been difficult for me for a long time (as well as father-daughter wedding dances and other celebrations with fathers). I find it difficult to comment and usually don't get involved. However so many mentions caused me to think. It is approaching fifty years since my own father has been gone, and losing my children's father too makes it more painful to read other's celebrations.

I need to mention here, that I am very blessed to have remarried a wonderful family man who is a great father and the best I could ask for as a stepdad for my adult children. He takes great pleasure in fathering/spoiling our Yellow Lab, Ruby, who is the closest we will ever come to raising a child together.

Fatherhood is definitely to be honored. Just like any other position in life it takes a good man to be a good father. A father's actions every day toward his wife and children have a stronger influence and longer-lasting impact than he could ever imagine. So my social media contribution is--

DADS--WHAT YOU DO EVERY DAY MATTERS MORE THAN WHAT YOU DO ONCE IN A WHILE

Traditionally as women, we run the household and do everything we can to keep the ship afloat, from being the glue that holds the family together, to striving to keep things as "normal" as we can for our children when any disaster strikes. I am not discrediting what the men in our lives do. Typically the men are taking care of business. As in my case, this has been especially true when disaster strikes. Firefighters are busy helping everyone else, whether on or off duty.

When I look back now at my mother as a young widow (and having been a widow myself) I realize more the effect of my mother being the only parent left.  I admire her strength, and gained my own from this, when going forward is the only choice you have. You just have to make the most of it. We most often are guilty of putting everyone else's needs before our own.

*** ATTITUDE MATTERS! ***

As parents we are responsible for how our children view themselves and how they treat others. We constantly role model our attitude toward health, people, and life in general. As a wife and mother, so much of my focus has been on keeping my husband and children healthy. I am reminded again how important it is to also make ourselves part of that equation. The goal is not to sacrifice our own health for the sake of the rest. We may not be here, or be healthy enough to take care of others who depend on us, to contribute to their lives and enjoy ours,  if we don't take the time (or the attitude) to invest in our own health.

*** HEALTH MATTERS! ***

So much of our happiness depends on being with the people we love, our attitude toward life, the choices we make about our health, and what we do everyday to enrich our lives and the lives of others.

*** WHAT WE (ALL) DO EVERY DAY MATTERS MORE THAN WHAT WE DO
 ONCE-IN-A-WHILE ***

(CHOOSE HEALTH AND HAPPINESS!)

RECOMMENDED READING
The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews
New York Times Bestseller
Demonstrates how everything you do matters

#attitude#inspiration#healthmatters