Day 3,938

Growth:

This question has really been rocking my brain over the last twenty four hours:

What is the best part of me while I’m out hiking that I want to bring back from of the woods when I’m done?

Is it the calm? The presence of soul? The me who’s easily lost in wonder over the simple things? The me who needs little, if anything, to find joy? What about the stillness of mind, focused in only that exact moment with no other worries or concerns?

What is that best part of me I should bring back with me from the woods?

Appreciation:

Last night was relaxing and calm, an opportunity to enjoy quiet, to work my brain, and to be able to lose myself in thought.

This evening, up until this moment, has been almost exclusively focused on spending time with Becky, Dominic, and Gavin.

Dominic wanted to call and talk for one of our two weekly FaceTime sessions even though we just saw him on Monday. Though he had something come up and had to cut off the call early he made a point of making sure we could still talk tomorrow. He wants to and chooses to spend time together.

Gavin knew I was getting tired and ready for bed, but he wanted to spend time together playing a game. He has a ton of other things he could be doing, but he chose to spend time with me having fun. He wants to and chooses to spend time together.

To have family bonds so tight that we all actively choose to spend time together because we truly enjoy sharing time together – that is what I’m most grateful for this evening!

Presence:

Realizing that though I am tired there is only a finite amount of time in which Gavin will be at home and able to relax and play a game at the kitchen table with me. Sleep can come later, enjoy the moments I have with him.

And then remember these moments when the passing of time is palpable, channel it, and use it to help guide myself back to presence when I start to drift and lose all sense of urgency.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,937

This morning we had to adjust our run due to the heat and our dog’s decision to permanently wear a parka 🙂

At work there were a couple of unexpected adjustments that had to be made, including a sales appointment in which we had to almost literally adjust to everything changing in mid stream.

This evening our stand up paddle board yoga practice was cancelled due to rain and storms so I adjusted my plans for the evening accordingly.

As a result of all of those changes the following all happened:

• Becky and I had a delightful conversation while walking the dog this morning, taking time to soak in all the sights, and connect while still getting some exercise in.
• Our sales meeting had significantly better results than expected AND it was a very timely training opportunity for a teammate to learn how to work through unexpected changes.
• I was able to put hours into a side project I’ve been working on and will be excited to launch late this year. The bonus tie provided extra space to get a bunch of the thought work done I’ve had on my list for quite some time.

So many adjustments throughout the day, I’m kind of chuckling to myself as I consider if anything actually went as planned! That said, the day was significantly better directly as a result of the adjustments I had to make along the way.

In the words of a great philosopher:

You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometime, you’ll find, you get what you need.

Mick Jagger

Thanks!!!

Day 3,935

Growth:

Flexibility is a choice, so is rigidity. Depending on the situation one of the two is likely going to be more effective and successful. Taking a moment to pause, consider which makes the bigger impact in that exact moment, and then acting accordingly isn’t always easy to do – it requires taking that second to pause and zoom out, to become aware of what is truly transpiring, and then set the ego aside to make the correct choice. During the day I did just that and it made a very positive impact on the direction of the conversation.

Appreciation:

Having Dominic back home over the past several days was a soul filling blast from the past. His presence in our home always makes an immediate and lasting impact. The humor, positivity, the crazy idea dreaming, the energy – everything is amplified by him being here. There were many times today when I just paused to consider how great it was having him at home and how he must like coming home as often as he is here – I’m pretty sure the free food also doesn’t hurt 😉

Any time with Dominic is a blast and very much welcomed, I was glad we got an extra large helping with him this extended weekend!

Presence:

Nothing like snuggling right into a great book, devouring it as if the world around us doesn’t exist, only that story. An interesting version of presence, to be sure, but a very divine state of presence nontheless!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,934

This morning was my first run in about a week, my back was pretty good for the most part. Nice to get it al loosened back up and ready to go!

Mindset makes a big difference. So does clarity. As does sharing the load. Take a deep breath, get others involved. It will all get worked out.

Beyond grateful for the ongoing love and support from Becky. She always seems to know just what I need to hear and when, both the good and the bad, and is always there to help me through the difficult days. Life is so much easier when I can know I’m that supported.

Yoga… ahh… yoga… Exactly what the body and soul need to pause, zoom out, and get back into the right focus on what really matters. The crazy workout and puddle of sweat were very rewarding as well!

Watching soccer with Dominic while texting my brother – priceless! The game didn’t go as we’d hoped, but was only slightly worse than expected. We had a blast laughing, joking, and enjoying the ride. While watching sports isn’t one of my go to’s for relaxation time there are definitely some awesome ways in which it can help build and strengthen bonds between brothers and friends.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,933

I could really get used to the three day weekend concept!

This morning we knocked out a peaceful walk shortly after waking up. While we skipped the normal hiking haunts due to the heat for Leia we hit the end of Fisherman’s Road and enjoyed a quiet walk almost n the woods with almost no other traffic. There were trees and woods on both sides of us at times, so much greenery for us to take in and enjoy. The birds were plentiful – being both seen and heard. Such a calming start to the day, all the better having the time for the two of us to relax and talk.

Church included a thought provoking sermon on the importance of feeling a sense of wonder and fascination. We ate lunch, knocked out the last of our weekend tasks, and took some time to play some games with just the two of us.

Dominic joined us late in the afternoon and we were cheering loudly for the Norway versus Brazil soccer match, enjoying the excitement provided. Dinner and a walk, then games and talking about future hiking adventures he plans on having.

Now it’s back to Gavin and I sitting on the couch, shooting the bull and watching the Mexico v England match and catching up on the day.

Soon will be bed and starting the week all over again.

A wonderful day to wrap up a perfect weekend at home with family!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,932

I could get used to this three day weekend stuff! Having the opportunity to sleep in a little today felt amazing. So easy to forget how much more sleep we could actually use, especially when there’s extra time to relax.

Having the entire bonus day yesterday to get most of our stuff done was excellent, today was the opportunity to get a little extra knocked out. It also meant more time to spend with family.

We also had a wonderful time hanging out with friends to celebrate the Fourth. So many laughs, shooting the bull, and hanging out felt great, exactly the right way to spend a bonus day of chill!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,931

Today was definitely a list kind of day! Why settle for one thing or a theme when going wide seems so much more fitting?

• Getting a nice little sleep in, even if it was only until 7:20 or so.
• An almost immediate walk with Becky and Leia, time in motion, time to talk and connect.
• Eating a solid breakfast, taking time to cook eggs.
• Watching Gavin enjoy pole vaulting at RiverFest while talking with Dominic.
• Doing a handful of adulting tasks, enjoying them rather than feeling obligated to do them.
• Watching soccer with Dominic while eating lunch.
• Mowing the lawn even when it’s hot and humid.
• Having an early dinner with Becky.
• Going grocery shopping on a Friday when it’s quiet, running into Dominic there, and enjoying the lack of any type of rush,
• Reading a thought provoking book throughout the day.
• Hanging out with Dominic and Caitlyn, chilling in the living room, shooting the bull.
• Getting 10-15 minutes of concentrated Gavin energy as he transitions from work to heading off to meet up with friends.
• Relaxing on the couch quietly with Becky, both reading.
• Wrapping up my day with a review of how much I appreciated it and why.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,930

Growth:

Reminders that all in life is not permanent, especially the “stuff” we surround ourselves with and attempt to find comfort in, are all around us, we need only pause and pay attention. Today I was shown one of these reminders, the largest mansion I’d ever set foot in, owned by quite possibly one of the wealthiest people I have met, was being torn down just under a year after his death. We’d had an interesting conversation on the collection of stuff at one time we were there, the sight of it being demolished was quite impactful. His impact and legacy lives on in so many, his stuff is no longer.

What kept resonating in my head as I watched the news footage was the sign in George Bailey’s office in It’s a Wonderful Life:

All that you can take with you is that which you have given away.

Appreciation & Presence:

These two are joining forces today as they were very much interrelated! Dominic came home from the Cities for the holiday weekend and joined us for a little soccer watching, dinner, and some family games. Gavin stepped up big time and made us homemade chicken parm for supper for all of us and it was dee-lish! As I type he’s also knocking out the dishes, strong work!

Spending time with my family is my favorite thing in the world, to have that time together, to joke and talk and eat and play and exist together was priceless. So present with them throughout, so appreciative for the time we get together like this as a family!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,929

This quote really struck a chord with me this morning. Be warned, it’s sounds more than a little dark, but deeply insightful. For sure, it’s not nearly as certain as it sounds, more of how things can feel throughout life as we get older.

When I looked up at my father as a boy, I thought being a man was having control. Being the master and commander of your own destiny. How could any boy know that freedom is lost the moment you become a man. Things start to count. To press in. Constricting slowly, inevitably, creating a cage of inconveniences and duties and deadlines and failed plans and lost friends.

Pierce Brown, Morning Star

In so many ways this explains the feeling of attachment. The more we have, the more we are stressed to keep it. The more nervous we become about losing it. The less likely to stay present as we have now created the space for worry.

Very insightful, I’m very glad to be reading this series again to stumble upon this.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,928

As I re-read Life Lived Wild by Rick Ridgeway there are certain lines that resonate deeply for unexpected reasons. One in particular is the following quote after they’ve been in the mountains for quite some time. The clarity Rick feels in that moment is priceless, the types of deep thoughts which only seem to surface once we strip away all the noise and stresses of our daily modern life.

I stood and paused and considered the satisfaction of a perfectly placed tent stake.

Rick Ridgeway, Life Lived Wild

This quote brings to mind my seemingly infinite moments of sitting in stillness and silence on a rock in the middle of a large stream in Porcupine Mountain State Park watching the dragonflies zip across my line of sight eating up mosquitoes, seeming to suck them right up into their jaws. Once of the deepest moments of peace and stillness I’ve ever experienced in my adult life.

Just closing my eyes and thinking back to that memory brings such joy, such stillness to my soul. My heart rates slows, my shoulders relax, my world becomes more clear.

I honestly could not say just how long I sat upon that rock and observed nature in silence, time was irrelevant to me as the water rushed by. The only time was Now, there was only Present.

Thanks!!!