Think about it. How would you answer that? More importantly, are you doing them? Are you doing them as much as you would like to? Why or why not? How can you do MORE of your favorite activities?
If you know me at all, you probably know that one of my favorite things to do is read. I love reading. It has always been my escape. I love lying in bed and reading for hours. I am not able to do that like I used to do pre-kids but I still look forward to and make time for reading. Right now, I am reading “The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids by Sarah Mackenzie I am enjoying it and highly recommend it if you have school aged kids. The book talks about all the many benefits of reading aloud to your children. It also gives lists of her recommended books for three different age groups.
I knew you were supposed to read to your kids when they were little and could not read to themselves but this book talks about the importance of continuing to do it even when they can read themselves. It talks about how it improves their vocabulary and increases their empathy. It teaches them things and helps prepare them for situations they may not have encountered yet but can start thinking about.
It is about the power and importance of story. In all the marketing materials and things I am learning it emphasizes how important stories are. They make learning real and specific and much more memorable and entertaining. I know for me, when I don’t have much energy and my boys want to do something with me reading is often a “go-to”. This book has made me realize and embrace continuing to read with them even though my older son loves to read on his own these days.
For me it feels like finding out that my favorite yummy dessert (a warm brownie ice cream sundae or a Reece’s Pieces Sundae) doesn’t have any calories and is one of the best things for me – and my entire family. This enjoyable activity is setting us up for success in countless ways.
This reminds me of someone who told me I could live so many more years (I don’t remember the exact number, maybe 7?) if I ate only raw food. I remember my reaction and thinking, I will gladly die sooner no matter what the number of years in order to enjoy the food I eat every day. The sacrifice of eating in that way does not even approach feeling worthwhile to me.
Things that are good for us, should feel good for us!
That may not be always true, but I think it is truer than most of us think. I believe that we can find new and better ways to incorporate more of what we love into our lives. Make time for it. Make it visible. Make it as easy as possible (kind of like the pre-cut fruit or veggies that are ready for you in the front and center of the fridge).
Set yourself up for success. What does that mean for you? I have read about many people who sleep in their workout clothes to make it easier to get out of bed and right into their workout. I think of it as decreasing the activation energy – removing the obstacles that may get in the way for doing what you want.
My family, like many others during the pandemic, are reading and / or listening to the Harry Potter Series together. We are on the fifth book. I am going to keep reading and doing more books together as a family after this series. It builds inside jokes and common memories, things to talk about and discuss and a shared ritual. It creates quality time together (my primary love language) AND I get to do and share one of MY favorite things with my family.
I know not everyone loves reading as much as I do. But I truly believe everyone likes a good story and if someone says they don’t like to read, my reaction is that then they haven’t met the right book(s) yet.
We all have different tastes and interests, so we won’t all like the same books. But there are SO many amazing stories that hopefully you can find some that you love. It is worth the effort.
Even if reading isn’t one of your favorite things, I challenge you to make time and set yourself up to do more of your favorite activities.
This life is to be enjoyed! How can you make it happen?
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