Day 3,760

Throughout the day my mind keeps going back to tracking the growth and progress I’ve made in the past year(s). Across 2025 I paused to complete a daily scorecard measuring a variety of components of my life. In doing so I adjusted my actions more often in real time to align with my goals, purpose, and values. This action also provided me opportunities to learn from my experiences more clearly, to reflect more deeply on my day and my actions.

Taking time to review that dataset has really helped me see the progression of my thoughts and actions from the year. From that distanced perspective it becomes so clear to see the way difficult tasks and changes became easier and easier throughout the year, building on the momentum of the previous day. Without realizing it, I’ve been building my flywheel focused on my purpose and values.

Seeing these subtle changes and developments from the framing of a year really caused me to pause and smile. There’s still a very large gap between who I am and who I am called to be, but I feel 2025 has helped me map a better course across that gap, a way to see how to build the bridge needed.

Cheers to progress, to making headway towards the purpose.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,759

While my 2026 goals don’t explicitly say it, one of them is a very clear reminder to appreciate the opportunity to be fully present with family when the moment is available. Today I was able to do just that, adapting my calendar to be there with Dominic for a big day for him, buying his first car.

We spent time on the ride talking about the purchase on the way there. We took time to test out a couple of different cars, comparing approximately four of them to find the best option. We talked about what was most important to him and which one fit those criteria best. We got into the details of paying off his loan and insurance. He had the opportunity to work with other adults on matters of importance, taking the lead on a big purchase. I got to observe the smile on his face as the deal was completed. So many moments of shared presence, so many moments of growth, so grateful for taking the time to be where I should have been – sharing that moment with him.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,758

Growth:

Life is so much easier when there are clear goals and there are plans in place to adjust to be flexible as needed. Rather than having to go back and forth on making decisions the right answer seems to leap right off the script!

Appreciation:

Back to clean eating and living this week! I always enjoy all the tasty Christmas foods and treats, probably a little too much. So weird to think that I can overdo it to the point in which I am looking forward to the “detox” afterwards! My breakfast and lunch tomorrow will be absolutely plain and boring, and. can’t wait.

Presence:

Great time with family this weekend for sure! Between the larger family time as I blogged about yesterday there have also been many moments of connecting in smaller groups and in one on one conversations this weekend as well. Throw in things like discussing favorite books, doing a quick furniture fix, a car ride home, a couple of games after a family supper, and even a simple grocery store trip all yielded some wonderful moments of presence!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,757

Growth:

Gotta love taking time to take a walk outside, and family Christmas is no different. Today I had the opportunity to go on a couple of walks – a great way to get a little outside time while spending time with family and getting at least a little physical activity!

Appreciation:

I’ve been very thankful for the time spent with family this weekend – time together has been a blast! It’s nice to get the opportunity to spend time together as a larger group and then splitting and reforming in smaller groups throughout. While it can be difficult figuring out how to get all our schedules to line up it is well worth the time spent together.

Presence:

Spending time laughing with family, chilling, enjoying time together, and talking about old memories – well spent time together!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,756

Well that was a week for sure! So much good stuff, fun challenges, achieving milestones, growing – both individually and as a team, laying the foundation, asking great questions, and so many moments living towards purpose.

What I think I’m most grateful for today is just how often I found myself in a flow state this week. Quite often I noticed time passing bay without noticing while making progress on unique and difficult challenges. Somehow it seems I have been working into that sweet spot of the intersection of challenge and purpose.

I’m not quite sure how this happened so much this week, but today I remembered to pause, soak it in, and enjoy it.

Here’s to a day of reflecting upon the flow of a week and using it to prepare for next week!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,755

Growth:

Quite some time ago I realized how important it is for people to learn basic presentation skills. Nothing crazy, but how do you package your thoughts into a cohesive story to share with others. There have been several times we’ve had the boys do this – for fun, to choose a travel plan, and also for discipline. Whatever the reason, I’m always walking away from those presentations smiling. Each time the boys have dug deeper into something, practiced a valuable life skill, spark meaningful conversations, and are always smiling when they are done.

Appreciation:

Over the years something we’ve started doing as a family is taking time to walk through photos from any trips any of us have done. Once the traveller(s) return we figure out when we can have a good old fashioned slide show as a family. Tonight was Dominic’s opportunity to share his pics from Alaska – and it was a blast!

I’m so grateful for traditions like this, the ones that serve multiple purposes at once – a sharing of experiences, time as a family, opportunities to dream bigger together, and the chance to share what we love. Put all of those together and these family slideshows are some of my favorite moments together!

Presence:

In keeping with an unexpected but wonderfully simple theme, I’m grateful for the time we had as a family over dinner. All five of us were here, everyone was engaged in conversation, and all gathered around the dining room table and then the couches together. Time as a family. Perfect!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,754

In taking time to set and clarify my goals this year I’ve already add more joy and a stronger sense of purpose than I would have imagined. Several moments of my day were completely reflective of my 2026 plan, shaping my choices and directions very clearly. More importantly, the results of those actions led to more joy and effectiveness.

Here’s to taking the time to set a very clearly plan!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,753

Sometimes it takes a mental construct – like the reality of a year passing by – to help us pause and take note of the truly huge changes made in a relatively short period of time.

When I go back 14 months and compare it to now the changes are more overwhelming positive than I could have imagined. Each step to get from there to here has been difficult, but it has slowly compounded, bit by bit, until it caught the momentum it has now achieved.

So much further to go, but already a profoundly positive shift towards where I’ve wanted this to grow. This evening really struck that point home, the foundation has been laid over this past year.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,752

While certain daily habits are very useful and beneficial there are times when it can become too easy to chase the habit itself rather than the “Why” the habit is there.

This evening I was itching to check a few boxes when we had unexpected guests – Dominic and Caitlyn – and Dominic was in an awesomely talkative mood fresh off the heals of his adventure in Alaska. As we dove into conversation I let the checkboxes go by the wayside in order to focus on what I really have worked towards, being 100% present with family.

Remember what is really important and life is so much easier and more rewarding.

There were so many unexpected moments of connection today! From teammates to family to yoga friends there seemed to be a conversation waiting behind almost every door. Each brightened my day, I hope I was able to have s similar positive impact.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,751

So much of the stress of life seems so minor when viewed through the same eyes which have recently read Man’s Search for Meaning. All my challenges become anthills when compared to the Himalayas of Frankl’s experiences in the concentration camps.

My heart breaks hearing the trauma so may we’re forced to endure. My blood boils at the level of hatred expressed by people towards other people. My soul soars when hearing how Frankl and others found ways to overcome and grow through those atrocities.

This quote really sums up so much of the thought process:

We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms-to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circuit stances, to choose one’s own way.


And there were always choices to make. Every day, every hour, offered the opportunity to make a decision, a decision which determined whether you would or would not submit to those powers which threatened to rob you of your very self, your inner freedom; which determined whether or not you would become the plaything of circumstance, renouncing freedom and dignity to become molded into the form of the typical inmate.

Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning

Thanks!!!