Thankful for Re-Centering

Day 3,916

Today was a rough one for a variety of reasons. Honestly, the reasons themselves are profound in their own ways, but the nature of each is not relevant to this conversation. All that matters is that it was a rough day with several moments of hurt, of frustration, of feeling helpless, of difficult challenges. By the time I got home from work I was emotionally exhausted, I was spent.

Then we went to yoga (Thursday night was the new Monday night for Yoga Date Night this week). The first five to ten minutes were a struggle. The weight of the day kept pressing down on my shoulders and I wasn’t focusing on the present. At some point, obviously the exact moment when I actually let go because I don’t actually remember when the transition happened, I was completely lost in the flow. I was only existing in the studio, I was only breathing, I was only stretching and moving, I was only existing. My mind and soul were present only in the moment and sensation of the inhale, in the shifting from one pose to another, and in the exhale. I was so locked in I felt each individual beed of sweat as it rolled off my face. I was alive in the moment. There was no past, there was no future. There was only now.

As I left yoga everything felt so much more loose and relaxed. The day was still rough, but it was moved far behind me. The day ahead was still in front of me, but now so far pushed back that I couldn’t see the details. Everything felt calmer and quieter. Softer.

What’s interesting to me is that nothing truly changed in the world. All of the outside forces from earlier in the day had still acted upon me. All that lies ahead outside of me is still there biding its time. What changed was me. I shifted. I re-centered. I lived fully in the moment and realized that is what life is, the calm in between the crashing waves, the remembering to relax and breathe when a moment of calm can be found. That is within me anytime to choose, nothing can take that away from me. At any moment I have the opportunity to pause, to breathe, to re-center. I’m glad I remembered to do that today!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for a Short Blog Due to Tiredness

Day 3,915

Blogs like this are usually the sign of a good / fulfilling day! Just got home from working a long day, but one focused on helping our teammates grow big time over the next several months. We pushed through some great training, difficult choices in an effort to live more into our purpose while simplifying our focus. Many shared stories, problem solving, and testing out ideas. Great stuff for sure, but I am absolutely exhausted.

This morning started with my morning run with Becky. She and I missed only one day of running together, but this was our first really meaningful time together since she got back from her Colorado adventure last night. Having time for the two of us to connect and talk about the trip was exactly what I needed to get my brain in the right space today.

Also very grateful for taking on the difficult conversations that sometimes need to be had in life. Not comfortable, not by a long shot, but very much needed. Fingers crossed that the awareness it triggered may have a more profound impact than the one specific conversation. It also helped to prepare me to react more correctly when / if the need ever arises again in the future.

Whew – thats, it, I’m out. Off to bed!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Meaningful Progress Towards a Dream

Day 3,914

Today I made some very meaningful progress towards a dream. I was completely nervous and totally did not present myself or my idea as well as I’d hoped to, but it’s all good, this was the first real round of sharing the concept. Even though I’ve presented to hundreds of people at once for over an hour at a time, all it took was one person I know siting across the table to completely get the cortisol pumping through my veins on overdrive! So wild, someone who’s super friendly, positive, supportive, and yet I was almost shaking with excitement and nervousness to see what they thought of the idea.

All in all, the conversation seemed to have gone very well, the idea seemed to land well. We’ve got next steps all wrapped up and I’ve got my homework in front of me.

The action was one of the largest and most meaningful steps I’ve taken towards one of my big dreams, the sense of moving forward is rewarding and more motivating than I’d imagined. Bring on the fun, can’t wait for the next steps!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for a Book of Grit, Pausing a Moment, & a Moment of Cosmic Perfection

Day 3,913

Growth:

The book Once a Runner by John L Parker remains one of my all time favorites. This is not due to the story itself, the writing style, or the topic. What it boils down to is that this book is all about grit, all about having to work insanely hard towards a dream we want, to put in the countless miles of trials to see that one dream have a chance of coming true. Over and over again it loads up so many save-able quotes on grit. One of my favs is this one that I added to a picture of Dominic edging out his competition by leaning over the finish line that really nailed the spirit of the quote.

Appreciation:

When we press the pause button on the whirlwind of life we’re able to see and create some incredible things. So often we get caught up in the inertia of everyday life and blow right past so many opportunities we could have taken had we slowed for a moment. Today I was reminded to pause, to breathe, and to intentionally put my focus into a specific action, directing the energy in one exact direction, making tremendous progress on a goal. Interestingly enough, it was a pause to focus on helping others pause!

Presence:

The magic moments when you feel the Universe giving you an enormous hug, blessing you in a moment of cosmic perfection. Nothing specifically perfect, an overwhelming sensation of being exactly where you are supposed to be in a specific moment, seeing the beauty of nature all around you, listening to the perfect song for that specific moment (Bow and Arrow by Reuben and The Dark), knowing all is well regardless of the sate of anything. The moment of knowing you are loved, you love others, and all humanity shares that common love. For one fleeting moment all is at peace, all is exactly as it should be. A single moment of perfection to heal the pains of the soul, to re-direct and focus on all that is good and love in the world.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for the Last Chapter of No Country for Old Men, Time with Gavin, & Time with Dominic

Day 3,912

Growth:

The last chapter of No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy has been going through my head incessantly over the past twenty four hours or so. Yesterday I read and reread that chapter almost ten times as it just kept resonating in my soul. The concepts of believing in something greater, of staying positive despite challenges outside our control, and the passing of the fire to help light the path for others keep hitting me deeply. Such a thought provoking chapter!

Appreciation:

Time spent together doesn’t have to be anything crazy or adventurous to be enjoyed. Gavin and I hit the grocery store early this morning and parlayed it into fun time together. Choosing our meals together was a great way to get more conversation going, pretty wild!

Presence:

My hike with Dominic and Caitlyn this afternoon was wonderful. Time outdoors relaxing while connecting. Much of the conversation was focused on travel and shared memories. So grateful for that opportunity to share time together! Throw in dinner for the three of us as well and it was even better.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Spending the Day the Right Way

Thankful for Spending the Day the Right Way

Day 3,910

Starting the morning with a beautiful run with Becky.

Saying good morning to Gavin and wishing him well on a crazy endeavor that makes me proud.

A very productive day at work surrounded by memories of Dad.

A subtle text to my brother to celebrate the day.

Sitting outside, enjoying a cold beverage, and awaiting my lifelong friends to join me at the campsite.

A quiet moment to reflect and remember.

Perfect stillness.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for One Step at a Time

Day 3,909

Going to keep this one a little more simple tonight. I am very grateful for that old wisdom of one bite at a time. As my morning took some unexpected twists and turns (as they have done often this week) I started to feel very overwhelmed with everything I had going on in my brain. After a mini meltdown I realized I needed to take five minutes to breathe, calm my mind, and re-center myself.

After the pause I decided to take on only one small action of a much larger project I was working on. I didn’t even think about anything else, I kept my head down and my eyes on that one task. Next thing I knew it was complete and I moved on to the next. In seemingly no time at all I was able to speed this whole process along and was able to make it one of my most productive afternoons, more than making up for the curveballs earlier in the morning.

One step at a time… relax, focus on the present. Remember the WIN concept – What’s Important Now – and take that action.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Living vs Getting Ready to Live, Transitioning My Mindset, & Running When I Don’t Want To

Day 3,908

Growth:

Another night, another quote from The Snow Leopard ;). I can’t help myself on this one, there is just so much wisdom within its pages! This one got me thinking of what is the right balance in life between enjoying now and preparing for later. It doesn’t seem quite so binary as this quote shares, but there is definitely truth to this line:


With the wind and cold, a restlessness has come, and I find myself hoarding my last chocolate for the journey back across the mountains – forever getting ready for life instead of living it each day.

Peter Matthiesen, The Snow Leopard

Appreciation:

I was really pumped for SUP yoga this evening, unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans! As soon as it was canceled I switched my mindset and realized what a wonderful opportunity this was to relax and continue to recharge from the past few months. Yes, I would like to be on the lake, but maybe this was what I really needed more of, down time to recuperate.

We ate an early-ish dinner, got some time reading out on the deck before the rain rolled in. I was able to relax with a game for a bit, transition to writing my blog, and now back to reading before I call it a night early and head off to bed. Very still, very relaxed, and we would have just gotten home a little bit ago otherwise.

When life transitions away from the plan it is up to us to transition our mindset to match!

Presence:

I really did not want to run this morning. I woke up to my alarm and was almost hopeful for the sounds of raindrops on the roof. I felt exhausted. I didn’t sleep well. I didn’t feel well. It was gross outside – too hot and too humid. Ugh…

But funny how runs like that turn out. By the time I was a couple of miles in I was already feeling better, didn’t find the heat and humidity to be all that awful, and I was invigorated by the bonus time with Becky to start the day! Always better to start the day in motion like that, no question!!!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Mowing the Lawn, a Bonding Team, & Anticipation

Day 3,907

Growth:

Is there anything more chill and refreshing than choosing to mow the lawn? Not because you have to or because you should, but because you choose to. What a great reminder to choose the right attitude to help anything become more fun!

Appreciation:

Seeing a team really come together and bond, working through conflict, pushing harder for the shared respect for each other, and having laughs and enjoyment while doing so – amazing!!! The team has continued to grow stronger together as they keep learning slightly shifted responsibilities, very fun to be a part of!

Presence:

The excitement of getting a mini adventure in the books! The destination is fun, but the journey there can be even more so! Planning a quick get away with buddies has been a blast this evening!

Thanks!!!