Embrace the unknown
Good morning. I’ve been thinking about how much easier it is to be grateful for where you’ve been.
In hindsight, it’s clear to see the experiences, places, and people that have changed your life and shaped you.
But what about being grateful for where you’re going? What if we embraced the unknown and were grateful for the current journey?
Life’s a pretty amazing ride. And the present, in all its messiness, is shaping you into a stronger person too.
Today’s table has conversation starters for tonight, games for the car, a routine that ends morning chaos, and a story that might make you laugh until you cry.
Here’s what’s waiting.
Part of embracing the journey is showing up for the people on it with you.
These questions are how you start that conversation tonight →
(4,000+ families used these last year. Tonight’s a good night to find out what the quietest kid at your table is actually thinking.)
TABLE WISDOM
“A truly strong person does not need the approval of others any more than a lion needs the approval of sheep.”
– Vernon Howard
You already have everything you need in your pocket…
These games turn a boring wait or a long car ride into the funniest 20 minutes of the week
Another part of embracing the journey is making the daily routine feel less like survival mode. So you have energy for the good stuff.
Stop The Chaos: Simple 3-Step Daily Routine for Kids That Works
This is the exact 3-step routine we use in our home. It’s the difference between a morning that flows and one where everyone leaves the house frazzled.
10 Easy Family Night Snacks You’ll Wish You Had Tried Sooner
These snacks are genuinely good. But the best part is that your kids can make most of them with you today. (When the journey includes everyone being hungry at the same time.)
STORIES FROM THE TABLE
Potty training my middle child is an experience I’ll never forget.
In truth, she was the youngest and easiest of my kids to accomplish this feat. But she was also the most memorable.
You see, we had been practicing all day. And by nightfall, she was over it. In fact, in protest, she screamed the most blood-curdling sound I’ve ever heard.
My husband walked away in a daze. (he whispered in my ear, “That was terrifying.”) But, when I heard her, I thought “that’s how I feel sometimes too, honey. Let it out.”
In our society, it feels like we’re supposed to be perfect. There’s something wrong with us if we’re not happy and positive all the time.
Like life’s meant to be easy.
But that’s far from the truth. If you want to do anything worth doing, whether it’s…
- having a baby
- going for a job a little out of your reach
- running a race
- having a deep connection with those you love
- or in my daughter’s case, potty training,
things get hard.
(Science backs this up. Psychologist Angela Duckworth found that sticking with hard things is more important than talent when it comes to reaching big goals.)
It doesn’t mean you don’t do them. It means you scream (figuratively or literally🤣). And then move forward. Even when you want to quit.
Because the good stuff…the sense of freedom, accomplishment, and joy – well, that’s on the other side, friend.
If you’re in the middle of a hard thing right now, these quotes help me push through mine →
SOMETHING TO CHEW ON
In June 1982, a movie was released that became the highest-grossing film of all time by 1983.
If you grew up in that era, you definitely had the poster. Answer at the bottom — and if that era is your jam, you’ll love this.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
What hard thing are you trying to accomplish lately?
And how can you give yourself more grace when the going gets tough?
TABLE TALK
“Having children is like living in a frat house — nobody sleeps, everything’s broken, and there’s a lot of throwing up.”
– Ray Romano (Every boy mom will have at least three of these saved to her phone by the end)
Trivia Answer: E.T. (See Kids Movie Trivia Questions)
The present, in all its messiness, is shaping you right now. Not next year, not when the hard thing is over.
I hope you enjoyed today’s edition. If you have anything at all you’d like to share, ask, or say, just hit reply. I’d love to hear from you.
You belong at this table,
Jenn Kropf
Founder of Healthy Happy Impactful