Best Part of My Day

I used to think that the best part of my day was the shower directly following my daily workout. This is a good part of my day but it certainly isn’t the best part of my day. I discovered actually more like confirmed that the best part of my day comes when dinner is served. Somehow over the years despite the peculiar eating habits of our children and of course me; we have incredible family time around the dinner table. This is truly the most satisfying and most incredible part of my day. It doesn’t matter what is served for dinner it only matters that we sit around the dinner table talking as a family. Last night when dinner was finished everyone remained around the table talking. This is so cool and one of the little large things in my life. Yes, that last statement was an intended oxymoron and hopefully hits home the point of the fact that I am with my family embracing every moment.

I hope this dinner time magnificence lasts for the foreseeable future. Our children have reached the ages where the conversations are wonderful. It seems like just yesterday that we were feeding our children at the dinner table and now as life progresses (wonderfully I might add) our children are not only capable of feeding themselves but they are very capable of engaging in excellent conversations. I have read many articles that the dinner table has been dying and this may be true for some people but our dinner table is flourishing and it is truly wonderful.

I had a warm smile all night long just thinking how things continue to work out for the very best and the evening went by so quickly. This morning arrived so quickly and the morning routine was in effect. The children were off to school and I was off to the gym for a very good workout. I most likely trained too hard for the last marathon and I am starting to see the benefits of moderate training. The word “moderate” has been missing from my life for quite some time and I would say it most likely has not entered my life. I haven’t been moderate about anything in my life and this has its positives and negatives. Obviously the negative side is my compulsive gambling addiction and the positive side is my recovery. I really don’t know moderation; however; I do know that there is no way I could ever be a moderate gambler. The days of me actually thinking this have disappeared all thanks to recovery.

I think there is a need for moderation in my life and I am doing my best to mix it in to my daily affairs. I am trying to be moderate about my exercising but I am sure my definition of moderation could be construed as excessive. I have cut back on the intensity of my exercising but have added to its duration. Now instead of going at 130% of effort I go at 90% effort for 150% longer than previous. Yes, I am sure I need help in this area but it does bring peace. That may sound funny but I look forward to my exercising and I am trying to mix things up to not stagnate. I don’t want to stagnate in any part of my life which is why there needs to be a reinvention of things. I’m not sure where I am going with this but I can say that I am enjoying each and every day.

This afternoon I was helping a very dear friend who had asked me for a favor. I was so happy to help and as the ironies in my life continue this is one of those incredible ironic efforts. I found myself crafting a letter to a place I knew in a “previous life” and when we were done composing this letter the fun began. I can’t go into details but I can say it was a great deal of fun to hear the response. I have no idea where this will go nor do I know if this will help my friend in the long run. It appears this has helped my friend in the short term and I had the opportunity to help a very good friend. This very good friend kept asking me why I was helping them and all I could say was that they are my friend and friends help friends. God knows my dear friends have helped me and continue to help me and without all this support I have no idea where I would have been. I am grateful for all the help and support.

Today also ended with a very nice time at the dinner table; there was an “episode” with my daughter and the eggplant rolotini but that was to be expected. I must admit that my daughter is me 30 years ago and there isn’t much I can do about it other than try to make the situation much lighter. I do my best to explain to my daughter that she needs to taste more types of foods and even when there is a food that just doesn’t taste right it is okay to eat that particular food. There was a minor battle tonight but somehow my daughter actually gave in and ate something she said she wouldn’t eat. This was a victory of sorts for my wife and hopefully going forward these battles will be limited. I don’t really believe that the battles will be limited knowing how I was when I was my daughter’s age but it seemed to be a step in the right direction.