Welcome to the Daily Dad podcast, where we provide one lesson every single day to help you with your most important job, being a parent.

I'm Ryan Holiday, and I draw these lessons from ancient philosophy, modern psychology, practical wisdom, and

insights from parents just like you all over the world. Thank you for listening, and we hope this

helps.

The crowded table. What a great spectacle it is when a husband and wife with many children are seen with these

children crowded around them.

Musonius Rufus.

It's helpful to sit back and think about what parental success really looks like.

First off, of course, it's about having healthy kids who survive to adulthood.

That's obvious.

But second, when you flash forward into the future, what is it? It's that beautiful phrase captured in the title of the Highway Women's Hit, Crowded Table, at Thanksgiving on

birthdays, at the summer house, at the beach that you all rent as a family. That is, it's having kids whom you get to see,

whom you have a relationship with, whom you want to spend time with for the rest of your days.

If you want a garden, the song reminds us, you're going to have to sow the seed. If you want

a crowded table, you'll need to make the right decisions now, so they'll want to make

the decision to fly from their homes to yours when they're older and have families of their own. You'll have

to plant a little happiness, give a little love if that's what you want to reap. You'll need to set

the table today to have the one you'll want tomorrow.

Hey, you're listening to the Daily Dad podcast. One meditation a day inspired to help you do your

most important job, which is be a great father.

These are meditations inspired by ancient wisdom, psychological research, and just great strategies from normal dads just like you.

Thanks for listening.

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