July 22 // Thinking Like A Happy Little Kid 🧒🏽
an open thread to stir up some gratitude
Hello! I started to write a post entitled “To The Parent Who Isn’t Having Fun” and I hoped to have life-changing words of encouragement for you, but oftentimes asking questions can be a lot more helpful than giving advice.
So here are some questions for reflecting gratefully on what you have and where you are. Right here, right now, in this season that may or may not feel self-actualizing and happy.
Feel free to answer any of these in the comments, by replying to this email, or—ideally—by discussing with someone while eating a great snack. The goal is to send you back to childhood for a minute to enjoy things as a kid can 😊
If you can’t think of any positive memories for these things or if your childhood was quite sad, please remember that your story isn’t over. What can you think about with grateful childlikeness today?
Try not to compare yourself to other people and their successes for a moment. What would you say is something that you feel like you’re really good at?
Who is a friend that makes you feel like you’re a goofy six-year-old all over again? What do you love about that friend? What are some things that have made you laugh so hard?
What is a food that makes you want to do a happy dance? When is the last time you’ve had it?
What is something silly that makes you laugh every time?
What’s a story you read or movie you saw that left you breathless?
What’s something in nature that baffles your brain whenever you try to think about it?
May you become a little bit more like a happy little kid today. ❤️
Warmly,
Hope from Family Scripts
P.S. Do you know what’s even better than being thankful? Saying thank you. (See this article from TIME magazine about writing thank-you notes.) If a friend means a lot to you, or you remember a great memory with someone, or if a home chef has given you food that made you feel like Anton Ego when he ate ratatouille…tell them!
P.P.S. Here’s a graphic you can save to your phone to refer to these questions!
I can't believe that monarch butterflies migrate from all over America to Mexico. Like, how on earth do they make that kind of journey with such tiny little bodies? It feels like there are so many obstacles that would prevent butterflies from making that two-month journey, so that fact that tens of millions of them complete the journey is just so surprising. Plus, the videos look incredible and I would love to visit Mexico City and see that someday.
Spaetzle is a German dumpling dish that my mom makes me for special occasions, and the happy dance when I'm eating spaetzle is REAL.
Giggling like six-year-olds is kind of a requirement for friendship...I'm so grateful for all my friends who make me feel like I can be totally myself when I'm with them!