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!!!

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!!!

Day 3,911

Spending time with a couple of my best friends camping out in the woods. Catching up on all that life has included recently. Remembering old stories. Laughing at our humor. Speaking the language we’ve created together over more than 45 years of friendship.

So grateful for our time together.

Thanks!!!

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!!!

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!!!

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!!!

Day 3,906

Growth:

Such an insightful quote, my third time reading this book, the third time this specific line called out to me.

I’m typically very goal and dream driven, working towards specific targets. This line reminds me that those goals are only the possible ends, not the roads and paths themselves which will lead me there, and often are more worthwhile than the intended results.

But when I came upon these cautionary words, I already had what Kierkegaard called “the sickness of infinitude,” wandering from one path to another with no real recognition that I was embarked upon a search, and scarcely a clue as to what I might be after. I only knew that at the bottom of each breath there was a hollow place that needed to be filled.

Peter Matthiessen, The Snow Leopard

Appreciation:

The friends who love and support us through all we do.

The mentors who taught and inspired us to be better than we would be otherwise.

The students we invest in knowing they will pay forward the gifts of our mentors shared to them.

The quiet and supportive hug of a family member who gets you and wants you to feel loved.

The laughs and joy of sharing old stories with others.

The moments in which we’re on parallel wave lengths with friends, all the shared experiences without need for explanation.

All the moments which left me touched today!

Presence:

Getting lost in the flow of a difficult yoga session, allowing the emotions to seep out as I lay in Final Rest with a towel over my eyes. Taking in the changes of life’s seasons, appreciating all the moments which will eventually be missed but will always be appreciated.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,905

I had no idea just how badly I needed a weekend like this! From my post late last night, my emotions were definitely running high. The relaxing evening allowed the dams of emotion crack just enough to start a flood. Today was a little bit of the same to start, getting my head around all of the changes in life. Then Becky and I took Leia for a walk and got moving outside. From that point forward throughout the day there was literally zero stress whatsoever. A couple hour drive to The Cities for the graduation party of the son of a good friend. A couple of hours spent with some of my best friends throughout my life shooting the bull and connecting. A couple of hour drive back home with Becky including a FaceTime call with Dominic from the road. Sitting on the deck and completely losing myself in a great book (which I basically started at the end of this last week and have now finished – Red Rising). Talking with Dominic and Gavin about books via text. Relaxing with Becky on both halves of our ride. Now blogging and then off to bed.

All chill, all day, all as needed.

I’m still running on a deficit and will need to keep working on re-filling the tank, but nice to see how different it all starts to feel once I’m back on the upswing!

Thanks!!!