I am sure that everyone got their fair share of turkey and trimmings over the last few days. It is a great time to reconnect with family and to enjoy the most important relationships in your life. With the economy struggling and unemployment at the rate we have not seen in my generation, it is more important then ever to get centered and focus on what is really important. If you have not been directly effected, I bet you can easily point to a friend of family member that has felt the effects.

The Thanksgiving List

At the beginning of November, my wife and I made a conscious decision that we were not going to focus on what was going wrong, but instead we were going to set our mind on what was good and right in our world. We took a stack of postcards and taped several of them end to end and then posted them on our wall in the kitchen. We then numbered from 1 to 101 and gave each family member a different color of pen.

We told our kids that everyday we were going to add to our “thankful list” and try to record 101 things we were thankful for before Thanksgiving. The process was truly rejuvenating. Our kids really got involved and at times they were even reminding us that we should add that to the “thankful list.” It was really a preparation of the mind, soul, and spirit for Thanksgiving.

Our circumstances have not changed, but our perspective has. When you set your mind to all the things that are going right in your life, you look at everything much differently.

Our Remembrance List Challenge

We had so much fun with our “thanksgiving list” that we are now starting a new project this month. We are calling it our “remembrance list.”  I always like to take the end of the year to set a few goals that I want to accomplish in the new year, but before I do it is always encouraging to look back on that wonderful events and happenings over the last year or so.

Throughout the Old Testament Scriptures, the Children of Isreal had a regular habit they performed from generation to generation. After God did something wonderful in their life, they would erect a monument of stones. They did this as way to not forget what God had done for them and so that their children would remember the miracle that happened in their parents’ generation.

Tips for Setting Up Your Own Rememberance List

You are welcome to join in and do your own rememberance list. You can make it as simple or as big as you want. Here are some ideas for you to get started.

1. Post a blank paper on the fridge. Anything you place on the fridge door is hard to ignore. We all visit there at least a few times a day. We cannot avoid it as it is staring at us and reminding us what we need to do. Just post a simple sheet of paper on the fridge and title it “Our Rememberance List” and then when anything good comes to mind that happened in your life this last year record it.

2. Purchase of small bag of smooth rocks. This might seem strange but it really is a lot of fun. Purchase a bag of rocks. You want the type of decorative rocks that are smooth and somewhat flat and then use a permanent marker.   You obviously will not have much room but try to sum up the event you want to remember in a word or two. Then, you can stack the rocks either inside or outside and have the goal of staking them up over time. Every time you pass by your monument you will be reminded of the good in your life.

3. Take as much time as you need. You certainly can continue to do this longer then the month of December. I like to do this at the end of the year as it puts me in the right frame of mind for the new year. I love fresh beginnings and each new year gives us that opportunity.The truth is that you can start this at any time and add to it at anytime.

I hope that you will consider joining me in this challenge and I will post some updates in the days to come. If you have any ideas to add, I would love to hear them. Feel free to give all the readers our own ideas or thoughts.

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This makes for a great family lesson. Unfortunately for men, we are natural spectators in life. In fact, we are all certified in NPC. That’s right…Natural Passivity Certification. I am in the third year in Men’s Fraternity (A Journey to Authentic Manhood) and early on we learned that being passive is natural for a man. You can live under the same roof with your children and wife and still not really be there. Life is happening all around you and it is just as if you are at the movies.

So, here is the ultimate question for all of us (men)…

Are You a Movie Watcher?

Are you merely observing your life and family from behind the newspaper and your comfy chair? Well, I work all day to provide for my family so they can have a roof over their head and food on the table (I hear you say). You are right, but your kids do not want the things you give them as much as they want you. When they are older they will forget about the Star Wars Lightsaber that is guaranteed to take over the dark side, but what they will remember is if Dad was there. Sure it is hard in the beginning, but it gets easier (read Dave Ramsey and the Momentum Theorem)

I’ll be the first to admit, that I have had my times on the front row with a big bag of popcorn watching life happen. However, two chilling conclusions got me off the couch and into the game.

1. You Can’t Use the Pause Button

We all know who is the King of the Remote and although you have complete control of the universe, you can’t use the pause button for life. Sure, life get’s tough and we need our breaks, but as hard as we try we cannot use the pause button. We only come this way one time. Make each moment count and appreciate the life stage you are in.

2. You Can’t Use the Rewind Button

Most of us know this to be true and it can be painful to think about. However, what is done is done, but you now hold the power to be different and to determine that you are not going to just watch the show but are instead going to be an active participator. You have no rewind button on your remote control for life. Make each moment count. Take the bike ride. Play catch with your boy and, yes, wear the tiara for your daughter the teddy bear at the tea cup party is counting on you.

So, stop reading this post already…Cinderella is waiting.

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