How Dax Shepard Went From Mocking This Practice to Doing It Every Day
Dax Shepard is one of those celebrities who are open about pretty much anything and everything. Over the years, he has talked about his family, his wife, and of course, his battle with addiction. It’s this honesty that makes him so likable and so refreshing in a world full of actors.
Like his wife, Kristen Bell, Shepard’s not afraid to admit when he gets things wrong. Recently, during an episode of his podcast, Armchair Expert, the actor realized just how much his views on a certain practice have changed and how he went from mocking it to completely embracing it.
Dax Shepard’s New Year’s Resolution is a modern spin on an old classic
Raise your hand if you made a New Year’s resolution this year. No matter how much we fail or how unrealistic a goal may be, every year, millions of people around the world resolve to change one thing (OK, maybe more). Whether you’re unhappy with your weight, want to get more organized, or just want to be happier, New Year’s resolutions can force us to take a close look at the things we want to change (and in some cases, actually take action).
During a recent episode of Armchair Expert, Shepard sat down with his The Ranch co-star, Ashton Kutcher and talked about one thing he resolved to do more of this year. His resolution — “Love everywhere I’m at.” He explained his resolution saying, “I’m gonna f*cking be there anyways — f*cking love it.” He says this simple resolution has changed the way he thinks about even the smallest things, recalling a recent car ride where he realized he was in the car, with no kids, and hey, these seats are comfortable.
The actor says this simple idea went from being something he mocked, to something that works
As the conversation continued, the Parenthood star told Kutcher that he felt a need to write his resolution down, on a chalkboard or on a mirror. It was at this point that it dawned on him that he had gone full-circle and is now practicing daily affirmations when at one point in his life he remembers mocking this same practice on Saturday Night Live. He joked, “You’re good enough, smart enough, and doggone it, people like you.”
Dax Shepard is not the only famous face who believes in the power of gratitude
The conversation about gratitude came up after Kutcher revealed his own daily practice. The actor told his co-star that he has his own little door in his house (in the bathroom) where he can write down his thoughts or ideas. His current mantra — practice appreciation. He says the toilet is where he gets a lot of his ideas and just seeing that phrase “practice appreciation,” starts his day in a better mood.
When it comes to other celebrities who practice gratitude, former first lady Michelle Obama also talked about how thankful she is for what she has earlier this year. In a January Instagram post, Obama wrote, reflecting on the past decade, that gratitude is the feeling that best sums up how she feels about where she is today, saying, “A decade like this one was never a part of my plan—not even close. But I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunities, the relationships, and the growth I’ve experienced over these years.”
Friends star Jennifer Aniston also practices gratitude. In a 2017 interview with People Magazine, Aniston revealed that morning meditation and journaling are important to her daily happiness, saying, “I try to write down a gratitude list every morning as well, it always gives you a thankful shift. I’m just grateful for all of it.”
At a time where so much is uncertain, gratitude can shift your perspective. When you look at things from a different point of view and appreciate what you have you’re more likely to find happiness. Just take a minute and consider what makes you grateful.
