Author: Family Friendly Daddy Blog

Leave a comment Posted on People, Spirituality, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Most People, By Default, Choose to Focus on What They Can’t Control (The Illusion of Karma), Instead of What They Can (Their Own Emotions)

It was about three years ago, when I turned 35, that I taught myself one of the most life-changing lessons (and secrets) about the human experience:

That 100% of the time, no matter what anyone else says to me or about me, I always get to decide whether or not I will allow that person to hurt my feelings, insult me, or disrespect me. Similarly, it’s always a choice as to whether I will forgive another person, regardless of what they have done.

Imagine the freedom that I have been able to appreciate these past few years knowing this unspoken nugget of wisdom: That I alone control how I feel in relation to other people… unless I allow them to control me.

That bit of information is one of the greatest gifts I have received in my life so far. If only I could have known this all along!

Contrast that to the illusion that most people live in: Most people, by default, believe this about themselves:

“I’m a good person. Well, I may not be a saint, but at least I’m not an ax murderer.”

This mindset is generically based on the ideologies of Buddhism and Hinduism. Ultimately, people rely on the flaky concept of karma to determine what good things they do deserve in life and what bad things they don’t deserve in life.

Here’s the problem: Karma, in this understanding, doesn’t actually exist.

Children have terminal cancer. Meanwhile, white collar criminals go unpunished their entire lives because they have the luxury of being called politicians.

Most people make themselves constant easy targets to be offended or disrespected because they believe they are moral people who “deserve better”, while they ironically deny the fact that only they alone decide whether another person offends or disrespects them.

Here’s where I’m at in life:

I don’t see myself as a good person or a bad person. I am a person.

I make good decisions and I make bad decisions.

I don’t deserve good and I don’t deserve to escape bad. I ultimately can’t control those things as much as I would like to.

Instead, I can control my own emotions; especially in regards to how I react to other people.

As goofy as it sounds, being a YouTuber and a blogger for the past several years has taught me this:

People in the comments section are constantly hoping to label me as one of the following:

Wrong, ignorant, and/or immoral.

I feel that in the real world, it’s the same way. People are insecure within themselves and haven’t fully figured out their own identity, so they look for people who will get offended, insulted, or allow their feelings to be hurt when it is applied they are wrong, ignorant, and/or immoral.

So imagine the power you have when you are instantly ready to agree with a person like that:

“You’re right: I’m wrong. I’m ignorant. I’m immoral.”

Man, I wish somebody would have taught me this stuff about 30 years ago!

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, People, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Holly: You Taught Yourself the Motions to the Songs in Your Brother’s Play

2 years, 10 months.

Dear Holly,

You loved every single minute of your brother’s play last week. While Mommy and I were most excited about his speaking part, your favorite part was the music.

Since we arrived early enough to get 2nd row seats (1st row was reserved for teachers), we were able to spot your brother the whole time.

So after his speaking part, which occurred in first few minutes of the play, he went to join the rest of his classmates who served as the choir.

You quickly noticed that the students had motions to do for each line of the song.

I looked over at you to see that you were actually teaching yourself the motions to each song by watching Jack and his classmates. Actually, I had to remind myself that you had never heard of these songs before when I saw you doing it.

I am sure you would have joined your brother on stage if you would been allowed… then you could have taught the audience the song motions yourself!

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, People, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: You Did an Amazing Job on Your 1st Speaking Part in a Play!

8 years, 3 months.

Dear Jack,

As if I weren’t already proud of you for applying my “life lessons” advice by being the one to volunteer for a speaking part in a play any chance you get, I am even prouder now that you perfectly executed your lines in your 2nd grade’s “Spring Into Music” performance.

I didn’t realize until the actual performance, that you were one of only a few other 2nd graders with a speaking part.

Mommy and I were both right in our reasoning for why we both had been separately encouraging you all year to volunteer to have a speaking part in a play:

My reasoning was that by default, boys typically don’t naturally want to volunteer for a speaking part. Therefore, those who volunteer, get chosen.

Mommy’s reasoning was that it would help you build confidence in yourself and cause you to gain new skills.

Our predictions came true.

I have a feeling you are going to be eager to volunteer to speak in a play the next chance you get!

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on food reviews, infographic, Uncategorized

The Jewish Deli Has Become a Staple of American Restaurants: Biali, Blintz, Borscht, Challah, Knish, Kreplach, Latke, Lox, Rugelach, Matzo Ball Soup

There are lots of interesting foods in the world, and some of them—you might not realize—have shared cultural legacies. Let’s look at something that’s become a staple of American restaurants, the Jewish deli. Do you know what the foods and drinks that you’ll find on a menu here is, and do you know what you’re eating (or missing out on)?

For starters, it’s helpful to know just how long the Jewish deli has been around in America—over 100 years and nearing 150; the first one opened officially in 1888. While most people could just find meat there to start with, over the years (and century) that evolved to include sandwiches and other cultural staples.

Now you’ll find breads and soups and desserts, among other delicacies. Many of them might be familiar to you, such as challah. Others? It’s worth learning about and eating, too. This graphic helps to explain them.

This graphic has been provided courtesy of ZeroCater.com.

 

Jewish Deli Delicacies Decoded Infographic

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Money Saving Tips for an Orlando Visit 

A trip to Orlando is a fantastic experience, but can be hard on the wallet. With so many places to visit you want to make sure that you can fit as much in as possible, without breaking the bank.

Firstly, you will need a great, central place to stay. There are plenty of Orlando vacation rentals to suit all budgets and requirements.

Pre-Book Theme Park Tickets

If you are going to visit any of the big theme parks in Orlando, you should look at booking your tickets in advance.  This is particularly recommended if you are going to visit multiple times.  The price at the gates will often run over $100 per person and this really adds up.  You can also get the best value for money when you visit 2 parks or more in a single day without multiple charges.

Book A Combo Ticket

If you want the best value for money, you should look at booking a combo ticket.  You will probably have a few parks in mind when you take your trip.  Most people do not realize that they can combine their tickets for the different parks to save money.  You could end up paying just $60 per person in the end.  The discount rate will provide you with the same level of access as the tickets bought from the gates.

Stay at A More Basic Hotel

Staying at one of the on-site hotels does bring benefits such as free park shuttles and early admission, they also carry a much higher cost.  If you are traveling on a budget, these hotels should be avoided.  Instead, you should look at staying at a value hotel close to International Drive.  This will place you in the heart of the action, but will not break your bank account.  Staying in a more basic hotel should not be a problem because you are going to be out and about all day anyway.

Have Smaller Denomination Notes

If you are exchanging currency, you need to ask for some smaller notes as well.  Tipping in the US is very common and you will want smaller notes for this.  Smaller notes will make the whole process much easier and will ensure that you do not overspend when eating out.

Split Big Meals

Meal portions in America are also larger than what many people are used to.  A great way to save money will be to split a meal between 2 people.  You do not have to worry about seeming cheap when you do this as the servers are used to this and will be willing to bring a second plate.

This hack will be perfect for children, but there are some locations where it works for adults as well.  As you are shown to your table, you should lance around to see the portion sizes to determine if this will work.

Take Advantage of Free Wifi

Orlando has seen a spread of free Wifi to parks, hotels and other key areas.  This means that you do not have to run up your roaming and call charges.  When you get on the airplane to Orlando, turn off your roaming and activate the Wifi on your phone.  There are a lot of apps that allow you to make free calls via the internet which means that you can stay in touch without the massive bills.