The Father Nature (June 08)

THE FATHER NATURE
THE FAMILY GROOVE'S PROFILE OF A DAD WHO’S MAKING IT HAPPEN

Gone are the days of the traditional coffee clutch because at THE FAMILY GROOVE, we’re doing it new school,
bringing people together to laugh, learn, share and commiserate in the global village called the Internet.

This month, we want you to meet Christopher Gavigan, executive director and CEO of Healthy Child Healthy
World, a pioneer in the movement to create healthy environments and embrace a green, non toxic lifestyle,
with a specific focus on protecting the health and well-being of children from harmful environmental exposures.
Gavigan’s dedication to the cause is driven by an unparalleled passion and grounded nature—two qualities
that are usually mutually exclusive—that keep him on the front lines of one of today’s most important missions.
But his passion and groundedness are not relegated to his job. In fact, he makes it his business to be grateful for his bounty of blessings, most notably his wife and young son, imbuing his home life with the same drive and dedication that he brings to making the world a safer place to live.

Here, he talks about leading by example, loving your family first and foremost, and how dancing in his living room with his wife and son keeps him in the groove—literally.

Christopher Gavigan 1. Who are you?
Christopher Gavigan

2. How old are you?
33

3. Where do you live?
Santa Monica, California

4. How many children do you have? How old?
One boy, five-and-a-half months old

5. What time do you get up?
6:30 am

6. What daily rituals must you do to feel normal?
Taking a short but hot shower, making Luke’s bottles, doing sit ups and push ups, kissing my wife and letting her know how much I love her and how grateful I am to have her, eating dinner as a family and getting outside as much as possible (not always easy these days).

7. What do you wish you’d do everyday, but haven’t been able to incorporate into your routine?
More outside running and biking as well as daily meditation.

8. What do you do for a living? Tell us about it.
I am the CEO/executive director of the national non-profit Healthy Child Healthy World. Healthy Child Healthy World is the national leader in protecting children’s health and well-being from harmful environmental exposures, something we've been doing through education and prevention strategies for over 17 years. By educating parents, supporting protective policies and engaging communities, we encourage everyone to make simple and responsible decisions to create healthy environments where children and families can flourish. To learn more about our work visit www.healthychild.org.

9. How did you get involved in your line of work?
I got involved because of my passion for children, love of all things healthy and environmentally related, and the hope for a better future for our children and our planet.

10. What do you do for recreation?
Yoga, running, hiking and some surfing and biking.

11. What’s the best thing your father ever told you?
Always listen. Be respectful. Never stop trying. To love and prioritize your family first—always. Keep your shoes shined and your hands out of your pockets.

12. What does being a good father mean?
Being a good father means understanding that you are the example for your children. Your actions determine your children’s actions, values and ideals. Leading by example is so important. It means taking time to listen, share, dream, laugh and be present. It means providing discipline and boundaries when necessary. It means acting honestly and with integrity and never lying. It means loving them with everything I’ve got.

13. What’s your mantra/personal philosophy?
The more you give, the more you receive. The more you know, the less you need. Always be grateful and present.

14. What do you tell other fathers?
I don’t give much advice to other fathers. Words don’t usually work. Actions are better to convey a message.

15. Finish this sentence: I want my children to know...
... that they can do anything with enough determination, preparation, will and a little bit of luck.

16. Who inspires you?
John Muir, JFK, Thoreau, William McDonough, and my wife and son.

17. What are you passionate about?
Fair trade, reducing poverty, healthy children and giving people the opportunity to use their voices.

18. How do you balance your life as a husband, a father and a friend?
Balance can be difficult—and often there is compromise on one level or another. I believe the true balance is a balance of expectations and capacities—that you aren’t superhuman and cannot do it all.

19. What do you wish you knew then that you know now?
I wish I always knew the great importance of relationships. Success in life often stems from clear, honest, highly functioning relationships.

20. How do you get your groove on?
Literally? The often-nightly dancing and singing in the living room with my son and wife —the fun we have! There is no greater joy.

For more on Christopher and Healthy Child Healthy World, go to www.healthychild.org.

THE BOOK OF LIFE
Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home has tips for parents and caregivers on the ins and outs of establishing and maintaining a healthy environment for their children. This ultimate green go-to guide empowers its readers with easy-to-follow how-tos on everything from non-toxic cleaning and organic eating to safer pet care and so much more. Live smart. Live well. Live healthy.
($17.13, www.amazon.com)