What pulled me out and pulled me through?
One day my daughter asked what I did when she was not at our house.
“Dad, what do you do when I’m not here?”
“Well, sweetie, I drink wine, I watch Netflix, and I’m sad and I miss you. Then I am sad some more. Then, I drink more wine to help pass the time until I get to see you again.”
Yeah, not what I said.
Though that question motivated me to be write this blog and do my podcast more consistently. It opened more books to be read. It led to less TV. Less internet. Less stuff that leads to a life unlived. By my definition sitting in front of TV and drinking wine is not a way to live. It can be a nice night once in a while (and it is), but it is not a life in and of itself.
Now, when I find myself tipping towards self-pity and sadness, I think of her question, “Dad, what do you do when I’m not here?”.
“Well, sweetie, I write. I record a podcast. I do those things in hopes of helping someone somewhere someday. I write because it helps me feel good and get my thoughts and feelings out. I record my podcast for the same reasons. And I read. I read a lot of books. You help inspire that. Because you are such a vivacious reader. In short, I try and make myself and hopefully others, a little happier, feel less alone and know there are others in the world that may be feeling like they do (have and will).”
What is your answer when a parent, a friend, a child, or anyone asks you a similar question? There is only so much time, and none of us are guaranteed a specific amount. Fill it wisely.
Posted. Not Perfect.
A Vegan Father, navigating a non-vegan world.
A Better Father 