Save Your Sons Profile picture
Aug 19, 2020 5 tweets 1 min read Read on X
Many say happiness is a choice, and that’s true

But it more closely resembles a “habit”

There are actionable physical and mental behaviors that, if repeated daily, result in increased happiness

In all but the rarest cases, if you do these things, net happiness increases
So like many things people say are too abstract to be reduced to a formula

Happiness can in fact be reduced to a formula
The very first step is to give no quarter to negative thoughts

This is also the hardest step, and where most people quit

Meditation can help with this

Aggressively, intentionally, consciously destroy negative thoughts

With prejudice, immediately
Make a list of your best accomplishments, happiest memories, and greatest victories

Make them vivid in your mind

Your mind is a battlefield, and these thoughts are your ordnance

Use them to vanquish and replace negativity

This is a skill born only from habitual practice
The rest of the steps are easy and probably predictable

Sun, diet, exercise, meaningful work (purpose), rest

But none of those matter if you don’t first master your mind

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More from @SaveYourSons

Mar 28
I asked you to name classic books that are "must reads" with your kids

Here are 15 of the top answers you gave, with brief synopses and discussion lessons from each (save this and reference it with your kids): Image
1. The Call of the Wild, Jack London

Buck, a domestic dog, is abducted and sold into the brutal life of an Alaskan sled dog. As he copes with his new life, Buck reverts to his wild instincts to survive and eventually becomes the leader of a wolf pack.

Lessons for kids:

-The importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of change.

-Embracing one’s inner strength when dealing with challenges.

-The value of understanding and respecting nature.

(might be scary for younger kids)Image
2. Winnie-the-Pooh, A.A. Milne

A collection of stories about a stuffed bear and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood (ok everybody knows that). Together, they embark on simple adventures that mirror common childhood experiences in an imaginative way.

Lessons for kids:

- The importance of friendship.

- Emphasizes the significance of imagination in everyday play.Image
Read 19 tweets
Mar 24
Lots of parents ask me for a big list of things to teach their kids. So I put this one together.

Make sure you save it so you never run out of things to do with your kids. And add your own in the comments if you have them.

1. Camping: plan a weekend camping trip to explore the outdoors; pitch a tent, build a campfire, enjoy bonding time

2. Fishing: teach your kids the art of fishing and patience, (and how to clean a fish)

3. Woodworking: pick a DIY project to do together (birdhouse, toy car)

4. Sports: get outside and play a game of catch

5. Car maintenance: teach the basics (change a tire, check oil, etc)

6. Grilling: teach proper heat, marinades and rubs, how to flip meat

7. Martial arts: join a boxing or jiu jitsu gym together, or just punch a heavy bag

8. How to throw a punch: proper foot and shoulder position, how to guard your face

9. Gardening: plant a small garden together, learn how to care for & nurture the plants

10. Astronomy: get outside and look at the stars, talk about the constellations

11. Biking: just go do it

12. Home improvement: change lightbulbs, fix toilets together, etc

13. Chess: one of my favorites, teach strategy, thinking several moves ahead

14. Model building: build model cars/airplanes/trains, emphasize attention to detail

15. Geocaching: a modern day treasure hunt

16. Archery: kids love this, teach technique and patience

17. Rock climbing: builds strength, coordination, and trust

18. Metal detecting: more treasure hunting (bonus points for hiding treasure ahead of time)

19. Photography: teach composition, basics of different lenses

20. Emotional intelligence: how to understand and manage emotions, empathize with others

21. First aid basics: CPR, bandaging wounds, Heimlich

22. Cooking essentials: teach basic healthy meals, kitchen safety

23. Goal setting: create achievable goals, strategies to hit them

24. Public speaking: practice confidently & effectively speaking in front of the family

25. Manners: teach proper social behavior in your region

26. Networking: how to win friends and influence people

27. Basic sewing: how to patch clothes, sew a button

(continued on next post)Image
28. Decision-making: how to make a decision based on facts

29. Digital literacy: online safety, basic excel skills

30. Negotiation: learn leverage, create win-wins

31. Laundry & clothing care: washing/folding/stain removal

32. Home security: secure your living space together

33. Environmental stewardship: leave spaces cleaner than you found them

34. Travel: basic planning, how to create itineraries

35. Map reading: kids love maps, teach how to interpret them

36. Electrical skills: safety and handling minor issues (circuit breaker etc)

37. Reading comprehension: analyze and critically evaluate written material

38. Time management: prioritize tasks, set deadlines, avoid procrastination

39. Job interview skills: do mock interviews together

40. Resume writing: write mock resumes together

41. Self-reflection: learn personal strengths and weaknesses

42. Work ethic: teach dedication, punctuality, dependability, thoroughness

43. Bike maintenance: how to fix a tire, adjust brakes, etc

44. Volunteering: go do it together

45. Art appreciation: visit a museum

46. Resourcefulness: thinking outside the box

47. Personal safety: how to avoid dangerous situations

48. Conflict de-escalation: techniques to defuse tense situations

49. Posture: stand up straight, shoulders back, eyes forward

50. Study habits: learn how to learn

51. Organization: how to maintain a clean, organized living space

52. Public transportation: how to read schedules and maps

53. Swimming: non-negotiable, the sooner the better

54. Musical instruments: pick one he likes, learn together

55. Memory techniques: read "Moonwalking with Einstein" together

56. Sportsmanship: how to act when you win and when you lose

57. Basic plumbing: how to unclog a sink

58. Writing: practice together

59. Typing: do family speed contests online

60. Firearm use and safety: safe handling and maintenance

61. Fire safety: teach how to prevent fires, and how to respond in case of a fire

62. Assertiveness: closed mouths don't get fed

63. Budgeting: create and manage a personal budget

64. Animal care: feeding/walking/etc

65. Weather: learn how weather works, prepare for severe weather together

66. Personal branding: teach the importance of maintaining a positive personal image

67. Sleep hygiene: develop healthy habits early

68. Mentorship: teach the value of guidance from people w/experience

(continued on next post)
69. Body language: how to interpret non-verbal cues

70. Basic nutrition: macro nutrients, calories, metabolism

71. Patience: practice real examples of delayed gratification

72. Gratitude: verbalize gratitude together daily

73. Presentation skills: assign a topic and present

74. Storytelling: how to be captivating, how to keep attention

75. Ice-skating: because why not

76. Giving feedback: learn how others are individually receptive to feedback

77. Receiving feedback: accept critiques gratefully, while considering the source

78. Computer maintenance: troubleshoot common computer issues together

79. Poker: reading other people, probabilities, avoiding tells

80. How to set boundaries: assertively and empathetically

81. Theater: go to plays together

82. Time alone: learn to be content by yourself

83. Drawing: practice together

84. History appreciation: remember, it's always written by the winners

85. Human nature: people are predictable, human nature never changes

86. Active listening: how to be attentive and show you're listening

87. Sartorialism: how to dress

88. Morning routine: develop one and practice it together

89. How to host: the art of hospitality

90. How to be a guest: the art of graciousness

91. Build a library: let kids pick books and add to family library

92. Foreign language: learn one together

93. Chivalry and respect: treat others with timeless kindness

94. Calligraphy: practice various styles and techniques together

95. Speed reading: read Breakthrough Rapid Reading by Peter Kump

96. Writing thank you notes: what to include, when to send

97. Basic strength training: start with pullups/pushups

98. Hill sprints: race each other, one day your kids will win

99. Bushcraft: build shelter and survive using the nature around you

100. Family tree: map yours together

101. How to tip servers: amount, when to do it

Thanks for reading this far

Couple things you'll notice as you look through the list, these items usually fall into one of two categories

1) they're things you do in your daily life anyway. The secret is to simply include your kids. Teachable moments are everywhere

2) if they're not things you do every day, then they're things that will make you a better, more well rounded person. By learning new skills and hobbies, you're setting the best possible example for your kids. You're showing them a man who is never "finished." You're always getting better. And that's the only real example that matters at the end of the day.
Read 4 tweets
Mar 22
Reminders for dads (myself included)

-say yes more often
-don’t wish away time
-keep your voice calm
-you can never be too patient
-remember they’re watching
-you’re never a finished product
-an extra story at night won’t hurt
-the good old days are happening right now

(continued👇)Image
Say yes more often.

Saying “no” is easy. It’s a comfortable default. But one day they’ll ask to play for the last time, and you never know which day that will be.Image
Don’t wish away time.

“When they’re older it will be easier.” I’ve caught myself saying this. And maybe it will be true (it probably won’t). And either way, what a shame it is to wish away the precious time we have right now.Image
Read 11 tweets
Dec 1, 2023
8 Parenting & Marriage tips for Dads (continued in followup posts) 👇 Image
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Read 9 tweets
Sep 6, 2023
65 sentences that will make you a better husband and father today (bookmark this thread): Image
One day your kids will ask you to play for the last time. And the more often you say "not right now," or "I'm busy," the sooner that day will come.
Your job is to be steady around your family. Imagine you're a lighthouse. Still, bright, and tall while the waves crash around you. Save your vulnerability for close male friends.
Read 30 tweets
May 17, 2023
Thread: 50 old books to read with your kids (no current-year mind viruses included) Image
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Read 11 tweets

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