Lolliop vs Ponytail
Cookie: “Dandy, is the doctor a girl or a boy?”
Dandy: “Boy.”
Cookie: “Why is he wearing a ponytail?”
Dandy: “Boys can have ponytails too. Would you like one?”
Cookie: “Yes.”
Silence… Cookie thinking…
Cookie: “Does that mean I’ll never see a barber again?”
Dandy: “That’s right.”
Cookie: “No lollipops or haircuts?”
Dandy: “None of those.”
Cookie: “I don’t want a ponytail.”
And just like that, a decision was made—lollipops over ponytails. A solid choice.
Sure, ponytails might look cool, but they come with responsibilities—shampooing, detangling, styling, accessorizing. It’s a long-term project that takes time, patience, and effort.
A lollipop, on the other hand? It’s instant joy—a sweet reward for getting through a haircut.
As we grow older, we start to appreciate long-term investments—our health, relationships, careers, and financial well-being. These things require consistent effort, but they’re worth it. And when we give them a deeper purpose, they become even more fulfilling—like growing a ponytail to donate as a wig for children who have lost their hair to cancer. In this case, the purpose itself becomes the sweet lollipop that makes the effort worthwhile.
But in the midst of life’s long-term goals, the simple joys—the “lollipops” of life—keep us going. They remind us to pause, enjoy the present, and recharge for the bigger challenges ahead.
The beautiful thing about gratitude is that it creates more opportunities to enjoy life’s lollipops. The more we think of them, the more we find them. When we focus on what we’re grateful for, we shift our mindset from resistance to openness. Instead of dreading life’s challenges, we become more receptive. Gratitude softens our struggles and amplifies our joys.
So, what lollipops are you inviting into your life today? What are you truly grateful for?
Teaching children to recognize and appreciate life’s little lollipops is one of the sweetest gifts we can give them. Practicing gratitude can help them develop this habit early on. Here are a few simple ways to start:
The Lollipop Jar:
Each day, invite your child to write (or draw) something that sweetened their day and drop it in a jar. It could be as simple as “playing outside,” “hugging Mom,” or “pancakes for breakfast.” At the end of the week, open the jar together and reflect on all the wonderful moments they’ve experienced.
Lollipop at Bedtime:
Make it a habit to end the day with something sweet. Ask, “What was the best part of your day?” before bedtime. This simple practice helps children focus on the little things that brought them joy and go to sleep with a grateful heart.
Look Around for Lollipops:
Take short walks together and point out things to appreciate—the warmth of the sun, a friendly dog, or the sound of birds chirping. This helps children become mindful of their surroundings and discover joy in everyday moments.
By nurturing gratitude in small ways, we teach our children (and ourselves) to embrace life’s ups and downs with a little more sweetness and a lot less resistance.