The Third and Final Quest.

The first two quests in my self-created game of improvement are focused on myself, the final quest is a short checklist created to improve the lives of my family; by being a better spouse and parent.

This is, of course, another direction in self-improvement. This is about bettering myself, but why bother to improve yourself if not to further improve the relationships you have with your loved ones?

Time and Love: Scarce Resources?
Although the news headlines describe a more chaotic world, life is pretty good. I would argue better in most ways than in the past. And, even if the future brings even more goodness, chaos, and a couple more years of Donald J. Trump, I have fallen in love with the world. There is so much to experience! So many people to meet! So much work to be done! How can one do it all in one lifetime? Simply put, we need more time to learn, love, and enjoy the life we have. And, if "happiness is only real when it is shared", we need to take care of ourselves so that we are healthy and able to do what we want with those we want.

So, the quests all have the same purpose, but differing aspects.

Quest #3- Enjoy my Family
How? By being more engaged in my children's lives, helping relieve my wife of household chores, and keeping my temper.

Daily Deeds to Advance the Quest
- Play a larger role in tucking in my children- reading stories, singing songs, getting ready for bed
- Work 20 minutes nonstop in working on household chores
- Stay calm and be a good role model of behavior 

Tuck-In Time
Since I work a pretty normal standard, with some calls for extra duties, I often am gone for work pretty regularly between 7am-5pm. This means precious little time for much else in the day. Even worse are the two-days per week when this time is extended until 5:30, 6, or even later. Yet, reading with, giving piggyback rides to, brushing teeth with, and singing songs to the kids is something that can easily be forgotten. The importance of this time is invaluable to me. It is the time I have the full attention of my kids- no screens, disruptions, or anarchy. This is good times and I want more of it. 

Extra, Extra Chores
On the weekends I pretty frequently go on a cleaning tear. I can often work 2-4 hours on household stuff pretty often. This is often things like mopping, ironing, an extra load of laundry. But what about the systematic cleaning, eliminating, and organizing that can be easily overlooked because they are not considered necessary to "get by"? I am going to take just 15-20 minutes each day to empty a box from the garage, organize, or sort household objects that lead to clutter and stress. 

Temper tantrums: Not just for kids?
I have to admit, my patience over time has gotten worse, not better. I used to be lazy and relaxed. Now I am lazy and high-strung. This is a bad combo. I want order, yet am too lazy to create it. So, I have excess anxiety. I don't need it. Have you ever contemplated and found that something you attributed a great deal to actually did not matter much at all? We give consequence to the inconsequential frequently. So, in 2018, and with some support from my other daily deeds, I hope to maintain an even-keel approach to all life throws at me. Just staying calm and not yelling, snapping, growling, or uttering a retort I wish I could take back, will earn me a point.  

Ok, that is it, 3 quests.

So far, that is 9 Daily Deeds per day. A heavy burden? Perhaps, but there is more. 

Tomorrow, penalties and...extra credit?!

5 XP earned for January 3rd.





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