Happy Father's Day from Asala Center

Father's Day Constructive Living Activities:
1) Write down ten things today to thank your father/father figure for.  These things should be concrete, measurable, detailed things or actions, not vague or abstract.  For instance, you would say "Thank you for bringing me that bowl of Frosted Flakes on the morning of my 16th birthday" not "Thank you for giving me food when I was growing up."

2) After writing down your ten items, follow up with some kind of action.  Perhaps it is writing your father a letter he may or may not receive.  Perhaps you might tell your child a story about something kind your father did.  Your ten items will let you know what needs to be done.

3) Feelings are for feeling---nothing more, nothing less.  Is there something you need to do for your father/father figure that you have avoided doing because you didn't "feel like it?


These activities address both Naikan and Morita sides of Constructive Living.  In Naikan, we take a realistic look at what we have received, rather than focusing on what has caused us trouble.  Through Morita principles, we focus on ACTION rather than FEELINGS.  What have you done today?  Your feelings do not control your actions, as much as we might like to think that they can.

Thoughts or responses?  Write us at Constructive.LivingTN@gmail.com