tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23363296.post8929345746763264504..comments2023-11-02T09:08:09.242-07:00Comments on <i>Daddy Dialectic</i>: Happiness and Its AmbiguitiesJeremy Adam Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733669114207985920noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23363296.post-47760445659128454742008-12-01T04:45:00.000-08:002008-12-01T04:45:00.000-08:00Solo Dad: Yup.Greg and Yamaya: There was actually ...Solo Dad: Yup.<BR/><BR/>Greg and Yamaya: There was actually quite a bit of discussion about gratitude at the conference. I recommend Greater Good magazine's special issue on gratitude, most of which you can read at http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/greatergood/archive/2007summer/Jeremy Adam Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11733669114207985920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23363296.post-29749145054269236712008-11-30T05:39:00.000-08:002008-11-30T05:39:00.000-08:00Great post and what an intriguing conference. I've...Great post and what an intriguing conference. I've always been fascinated by the source of happiness - particularly what is it that makes some people always seem in a good mood and makes others be those "sour pusses" that we all seem to know.<BR/><BR/>A couple of observations I've had about my own happiness and how I plan to share happiness with my daughter who is due to make her appearance in one week.<BR/><BR/>I'm curious if there was any discussion at the conference about gratitude. If happiness is connected to a current condition or situation - being grateful for all that is - for all that has come before and all that will be leaves one with a sense of gratitude - thankfulness - for what is right now - today - the moment in which we must live. If you can feel truly thankful for what you have or the situation you are in right now - then that equates to happiness.<BR/><BR/>A dear friend of mine was fond of saying that the glass is neither half full nor half empty. It is completely full - half with water and half with air.<BR/><BR/>And I like the turn of Sartre's phrase, "Happiness is other people." Happiness and doing for others - not sacrificing for others because that insinuates that you must suffer to help another person - but doing for others will bring fulfillment and happiness. I struck upon a deal with my 16-year-old nephew last Christmas that I plan to make a part of our family's holiday tradition. After he told me what he would like for Christmas I asked what he had gotten his mom and dad. He shrugged and said that he hadn't thought about it. Actually it was more like, "Huh? I don't know." So the deal was - before he was expecting any gifts from others he needed to sit down and make a list of what he wanted to get for others. I agreed to help him out and take him shopping, and I also asked him to get some wrapping paper and wrap the gifts himself.<BR/><BR/>This is the tradition I want with my own children. Before they start any type of list or letter to Santa - we sit down and make a list of gifts for other people. After all - it is the season for giving, not receiving. <BR/><BR/>Hopefully that attitude will help to create a sense of fulfillment, gratitude and happiness.Gregory Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00629099488068066335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23363296.post-58671195355185684002008-11-26T21:23:00.000-08:002008-11-26T21:23:00.000-08:00Unfortunately, I think this is why some single dad...Unfortunately, I think this is why some single dads don't stay involved. They see not only the hardship of being a parent, but also the bonus hardship of working with "Mom" and dealing with the legal system. <BR/><BR/>Understandably, some Dads turn the other way and head for the hills or are forced out by Mom/courts. Of course when they do that, they don't get to experience the rewards.<BR/><BR/>(sigh)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com