Before Netflix, On Demand, Hulu, TikTok, and YouTube, we had television channels.  And on them, there were these entertaining vignettes called shows.  One of my favorites was the Blacklist, and long before that, Seinfeld.  You might remember the days when you had to be home to watch the next episode of whatever your favorite was – or if you were one with the fortune with a VCR, you could set it to record and catch up when you got home.  The Thursday night lineup was important because most of us were pretty tired by the fourth night of the workweek.  And then there were weeks when it was the Sunday night lineup – because it was the seventh night of the workweek.  Too many out there know what I mean.

Despite the dramatic differences in these shows' tones, both characters are known for their wit and humor. Ray uses sharp words and dark humor to navigate the dangerous and often absurd world of international crime, riches, and secrets. Jerry's humor, reflective of Seinfeld's real-life stand-up, is observational, focusing on the quirks and absurdities of everyday life. Both use humor as a coping mechanism and a way to connect with others, though the context and outcomes of their jokes differ significantly.  Both characters have highlight reel upon reel of quotes that make all too much sense. 

How fun would it be to have an episode of The Blacklist in which Seinfeld appears?  Or an episode of Seinfeld in which Ray Reddington explains one of life’s complexities to George.  Reddington also has this wisdom thing that he does in each of his episodes – the most famous of which is when he explains life to the character Ressler, who is injured and in severe distress.  In that episode, Ray Reddington reminds Ressler and all of us about the joys of existence.  The video is above – and it is worth watching.  In the few minutes he talks, he reminds us, albeit extravagantly, about the joys we can have in our lives. 

I had one of these tonight that lasted for hours.  I got home from work – per Thursday night protocol, exhausted.  Tired or not – to the gym my son and I go.  A healthy lifestyle is one of the important things that we pass on to our kids – not by yapping, but by example.  He’s getting to an independent level.  I watch him when he isn’t looking, and he is at the point where he is independently going from machine to machine, counting reps, and remembering how much weight he lifted the last time.  I love it.

Then we came home and teamed up to make breaded chicken cutlets.  He did most of the dirty work, and I didn’t even have to scrub the caked breadcrumbs from my hands.  It wasn’t Reddington’s bottle of French Bordeaux on a sailboat – but the whole evening was one that we’ve been doing a lot of over the past year.  He was a little ticked that I put the first cutlets in the oil, and that was the exact moment I was hit with the most profound feeling of absolute joy and gratitude.  The gratitude thing is hard to come by when you are overworked, stressed, beleaguered, or feel like the world is chasing you down.  Sometimes, we have to force ourselves to focus on moments of greatness like these. From what I have read (and have been practicing), it is very effective.  It is even harder for the shitty, hateful negativity of others to bring you down when you get yourself to live on this plain.  Your feelings and expressions of gratitude are like a kryptonite to them.  They hate it. 

Focusing on gratitude, especially in the context of raising children, profoundly impacts their well-being and development. When children see their parents or guardians expressing gratitude for the simple joys in life, like a shared family meal or a routine trip to the gym, it teaches them to appreciate the value of everyday moments and the importance of family bonds. Acknowledging the good in their lives can help children develop a positive mindset, resilience against adversity, and a more profound sense of contentment. Moreover, gratitude fosters empathy and compassion, as it encourages children to recognize and appreciate the efforts of others. By incorporating gratitude into their daily lives, children learn to focus on what they have rather than what they lack, promoting a sense of abundance and satisfaction that can support their emotional and psychological health.

The video below is a remake of a 1962 short story called An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.  I had to watch it at Niagara in my man Frank Calzi’s class. He was an amazing professor who got us to focus on our own lives – and how we lived outside of work affected us at work.  I only put the remake here because it is shorter.  If you are interested, check out the original.  Watch the main character – dude, focus on the important stuff when things run afoul.  WARNING – this video is riveting. 

The benefits of instilling gratitude in children extend beyond the individual to the broader community. Grateful children are likelier to grow into adults who value relationships and contribute positively to society. They are often more generous, willing to help others, and possess a strong sense of community. Teaching children to practice gratitude can also enhance their social skills, making them more likable and cooperative, qualities that are invaluable in all areas of life. As they grow, these children are likely to pass on the lessons of gratitude to their peers and future generations, creating a ripple effect of positivity. Thus, focusing on appreciation enriches our children's lives and helps build a more compassionate and understanding world. This cycle of gratitude, once started, has the power to transform not just individual families but entire communities, proving that something as simple as being thankful can have far-reaching effects on our collective well-being.