Thankful for Re-Directing Inward, One of My Favorite Sweatshirt Books, & a Relaxing Friday Night

Day 4,023

Growth:

Throughout the day this quote came up a couple of times for a couple of different reasons. What really sticks out to me on this one is two separate points.

Life is so much clearer when we know the direction we want to take our lives, and we’re so much more impacted by the gravity and drift of the world when we’re not pointed in a single direction.

So easy to take the third person perspective and direct the life of another when we don’t have all the details, when we don’t have to deal with the repercussions, and when we have nothing too lose. When the tables are flipped and we have to face reality everything seems to be a bit more difficult.

When do I need to remember this quote most? Times of lost focus and times of projecting my focus onto others.


Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.

Paulo Coelho

Appreciation:

“Sweatshirt” books are the best! As I pick up Spin by Robert Charles Wilson for at least the eight time I continue to find such a deep state of chill while also exploring the deep complexity of the story and all of its characters. Just as I’ve found in each repeat reading, there have been new insights, adjusted views, and different perspectives. The me who is reading it today is not the same me who has read each of the previous, and when combined with the knowledge of what will happen there is continues to be surprises tucked away that keep my interest.

This time around it is in a realization of just how much the concept of perspective is mixed in, the differences in the characters and their relation to other portions of the book. So grateful for another read of one of my all time favorite sweatshirt books!

Presence:

A quiet dinner at home on the deck. A cold beverage, relaxed conversation, and no agenda. Chilling on the couch to recharge and settle the brain after a busy day. Quick conversation with my brother over the phone, passing a handful of funny texts back and forth. Watching a little football and relaxing. Perfect way to wrap up the week!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Empty Nest Adventures – Grocery Shopping on a Thursday!

Day 4,022

Definitely a shorter one today, totally exhausted from a very full and productive day. My bed is calling my name very loudly and my 4:37am alarm is looming over me with an evil smirk on its face.

Becky and I did something totally out of character and kind of crazy tonight… We did our weekly grocery shopping! Not sure I remember any times in which we’ve done our weekly grocery shopping together on a Thursday night during the work week.

We hopped on FaceTime with the boys shortly after getting home from work, ate a quick supper, and then were off to the grocery store. Woodman’s was almost eerily quiet, there were no crazy back ups of people in the produce section, and the aisles were almost all completely empty. It was wild!!! Looking forward to this weekend it’s all the better knowing that we don’t have any errands to run, we’ve already got everything set. Not a bad way to start the last day of the week!

Empty nester life is definitely different, this is one of the pleasant surprises I’m thinking I’ll really enjoy for sure!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Intentionality, Re-Invigorated, & Routine

Day 4,021

Growth:

This quote from The Alchemist hit me between the eyes this past weekend. Dad always talked about his passion for the mountains, his enthusiasm contagious as he’d describe the areas he traveled to when he was older.

Over my past few weeks I can’t help but wonder why he never took more time to explore more areas more often, why he hasn’t taken me ok trips as I’ve done with my sons. He absolutely would have loved the adventures if these past few weeks.

That’s when this quote struck me.

The boy could see in his father’s gaze a desire to be able, himself, to travel the world—a desire that was still alive, despite his father’s having had to bury it, over dozens of years, under the burden of struggling for water to drink, food to eat, and the same place to sleep every night of his life.

Paulo Cohelo, The Alchemist

What’s interesting is that in so many ways so many of us see creating experiences as binary – it’s s huge experience or nothing. We capitulate to “it’ll be too expensive,” or “I don’t know how to plan it,” or “there isn’t enough time.”

The experiences created recently were largely inexpensive (packing all the meals instead o eating out, cheap camp sites and sleeping in rest stops). They were easy to plan (find a place to experience, hop online, less than two hours later a plan was made). They don’t take much time (Dominic and I did a long weekend over s holiday and used only one PTO day).

Honestly, it seems the biggest obstacle is breaking away from the gravity of status quo.

All of this is helping me see how helpful it is to live more intentionally, picking out what is most important and choosing to live into it rather than waiting for life to happen to me.

Appreciation:

After a long day of work bookended with long drives my brain was feeling pretty exhausted. Largely good stuff, just a lot of it and so many things I would like to take on but only so much time and capacity to do so.

After a relaxing dinner (more below) I was tempted to chill and relax. I had an urge to pick up my recent project and tackle at least a little of it. I pulled up my laptop and started working away. My brain suddenly surged with energy and got moving. In a matter of no time I’d gone a couple steps further than I had planned and was actually feeling invigorated.

Super grateful for the Red Bull impact of a passion project!

Presence:

Routine can feel amazing when we take a moment to appreciate it. This evening it was in the form of eating dinner on the deck with Becky at home, in doing dishes after we ate. The quiet calm of back to real life after travel was quite splendid!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for an Epic Send Off to My Forties and Start to Empty Nest Life

Day 4,020

I’m totally exhausted and looking forward to being in bed well before 8pm tonight. As I wrap things up and get ready to lock back in for a crazy day of work I took a moment to total up some of the more interesting stat lines from the past month and a half. Here are some fun facts about the past seven weeks:

  • 7,000+ miles of driving in the campervan
  • 100+ miles of hiking
  • 23,300+ feet of elevation gain
  • Five out of Six weekends spent in the campervan
  • Countless memories made throughout a few extended weekends with some of my favorite people in the world!

During that time Becky and I got time with Gavin as we took him out to Balitmore to start his freshman year at Johns Hopkins University. The two of us then took our time coming back, hiking and exploring in Gettysburg, Shenandoah, and New River Gorge National Park. Dominic and I took advantage of the Labor Day weekend and drove our butts off out to Sleeping Giant in Canada for a hike I gave myself a less than 50% chance of completing – super glad he was there to help keep me going! My little brother wanted his redemption versus a 14’er in Colorado so we took a long weekend to drive straight out, knock out a couple of epic hikes on back to back days, and then haul ass all the way back right afterwards. For my fiftieth Becky and I again headed up to Sleeping Giant and Ouimet Canyon for one last long weekend trip in the campervan before we winterize it for the season.

Nonstop adventure, tons of work and life in between, and so many memories created. One of my biggest goals for the year was to share eight adventures with loved ones, there were four knocked out in a short period of time!

Back to reality on a full time basis – Becky said I can’t retire for another handful of years – I’ll be riding high on the memories of this stretch for quite some time! I can’t think of a better way to have wrapped up my forties and kicked off empty nester life!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for an Experiment, a Perfect Day, & Paradise 

Day 4,019

Growth:

Eleven years ago I started blogging to remind myself to be more thankful for all the ups and downs of life.  The goal was one year of daily blogging and it made such a positive impact on my life that I set the audacious goal of blogging every single day of my forties.

At done point the goal faded away, though the activity became a part of me, of who I am.  It is now do hardwired in me there is no goal, it has become a rewiring of my brain.  

At no point she I began did I see this becoming such cornerstone of my personal operating system, it was a short term goal to fix something.  Now it is just me.

Wild how little actions can have life changing impacts on our lives.  The most important part is setting the goal, the second is putting in the reps.  Today I’m grateful for a one year experiment I expected to realistically last a few months, that went for over a decade, and has now become a part of me!

Appreciation:

So many miles of hiking, so much outdoors time with Becky.  A perfect day to ease myself into my next decade.

Waking up after nine and a half hours of sleep without an alarm clock.  Enjoying a cup of coffee in campervan with Becky.  Happening to drive by an epic view of Sleeping Giant at golden hour with a little dawn fog on the lake.  A big cup of gas station coffee and a wonderfully scenic drive framed with autumn leaves, especially the fiery maples.  A view leading to a thought of “huh, I wonder if there’s a way to hike over there” that turns into the Presence section below.  Hunting for agates and rocks for hours on the shore.  Eating dinner in the campervan before 4:40, having a beer, and taking a quick nap.  FaceTime with the boys, relaxing and reading with Becky, and off to bed early (& being beaten there by an insanely worn out dog).

Great way to kick off a new half century!

Presence:

Getting off the beaten path, finding a trail hidden in plain sight about 10 miles off the highway.  Disappearing down a dirt road, parking at the dead end, and following what was quite possibly the most tattered trail sign ever.  A dirt trail overgrown with roots, rocks everywhere, and a couple of ropes to help up and down a sudden twenty foot tall mud and rock pile.  Rock hopping the end of the trail as you suddenly appear at the shore of Lake Superior, surrounded by giant basalt cliffs, forested islands, countless giant rock rock formations, and Isle Royale smiling at you from afar.

All alone. The only company being three mergansers in the lake, loons calling from far away, and two grouse caught in the act. 

A slice of heaven on Earth, a garden of Eden, tucked away to be discovered.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Positivity, My Forties, & Ouimet Canyon

Day 4,018

Growth:

I’m so many ways this quote from Speaker for the Dead hits home today:

“No human being, when you understand his desires, is worthless. No one’s life is nothing. Even the most evil of men and women, if you understand their hearts, had some generous act that redeems them, at least a little, from their sins.”  Orson Scott Card, Speaker for the Dead

Today I was reminded of how easy it is to look at the life of another in a binary fashion – they were good or they were bad – when we know our own lives are across the spectrum of those two ends of the spectrum.

Throughout my life I’ve made mistakes, but I’d like to think I’ve made a more positive impact.  That said, if someone was to focus only on my biggest mistakes they would likely be accurate in saying I am a terrible person – and I would not be able to disagree if that was the only point to argue.  I would find it very unfair and would be so frustrated – “but what about all the good I did???” – why don’t you focus on that???

And then I realize that is what I do when I judge others.  I focus on only one or two key things.  Who am I to judge when I have not been in their shoes?  When I have not been their ugh their life?  When I don’t know the positives they have done?  How dare I judge?  What if my judging of them was the only thing someone judged me by?

Mike – remember to pause, remember there is always so much more to another person.  Do not judge – listen, love, help, support.  How much better will my fifties be if I lived this lesson?

Appreciation:

The last day of my forties being spent doing another ridiculous hike with Becky, a return to Nanabosho atop the chest of Sleeping Giant.  While it may have been a little longer than expected it was about as perfect of a way as possible to wave goodbye to my forties as I move on to the next stage.  We were outside for hours and hours, spent time talking and enjoying each other’s company while knocking out the miles.  So many stories remembered, some new ideas and adventures planned.  

Crazy to think of all that has happened in the past decade, so many positives, a many challenges, a lot of learning, and so much time shared with loved ones.  This decade of life has been one of the best, even the most difficult times led to more love, intentionality, and joy.  The memories made in this ten year span alone were a lifetime’s worth, so grateful for each of them.

The memories made who kicked off the big Four Oh had no idea how much there was to learn in life, how deep love could be, how full one’s heart could be.  I can only imagine and look forward to the big Five Oh and all I’ll continue to learn and grow through.

To my forties, thank you for working through the discomfort, for finding the power of gratitude, for intentionally living into what was most important.  Thank you for all of your beautiful stumbles and mistakes, your painful life lessons, and all the other events that helped shape me into who I am today.  May my next decade do you honor by continuing that journey, by continued learning, and by better closing the gap between who I am – who you grew me into – and who I should be.

Presence:

Standing atop a 300+ foot vertical drop down a rock cliff, looking over 400 feet across at an equally sizable drop.  The Ouimet Canyon did not disappoint, the sight of it shut off all in my brain except the focus on its beauty.  The views towards the end of the valley, the views of the cliff walls, the rock formations defying gravity and standing vigil over the canyon floor.  Everything in that view grabbed my attention and left me completely captivated!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Road Tripping with Becky, Quotes from a Fav, and a Scenic Hike

Day 4,017

Growth:

Three quotes from The Alchemist really struck a chord today, so much so that I highlighted them in my copy of the book!

“He had to choose between something he’d become accustomed to and something he wanted to have.”

“It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary; only wise men are able to understand them.”

“When each day is the same as the next , it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day the sun rises.”

Appreciation:

Road tripping with Becky has been a blast!  Early morning wake up for a seven plus mile hike in the fog and clouds.  Savoring the outdoor scenery together, helping each other notice the beauty surrounding us.  Making the same jokes, quoting the same old movies, and talking about everything and nothing.  Remembering past adventures, reliving old memories.  Creating new crazy dreams and plans.  Relaxing by the fire, enjoying the quiet calm of the evening as we both read.  An early bed and the repeating it all tomorrow.  Does it get any better than this???

Presence:

Hiking amongst the clouds surrounded by leaves changing colors.  The bright reds and oranges and yellows swirled in with the verdant greens, all slightly hazy due to the thick low laying fog.

Our hike this morning was a beauty, on of the better fall hikes I’ve done in quite some time.  Bean and Bear Lakes were both buried under too many clouds for us to see, but that seemed to make it all the more magical – while also providing a great reason to enjoy it again on a future hike!

Thanks!!!

Saturday, September 19

Day 4,010

Growth:

Similar to last night, every person climbs their own mountain.  What’s most important is intentionally choosing which mountain to climb. 

Choose the mountain, make the climb, adjust as needed, put in the reps to reach the summit. 

Appreciation:

So grateful for the time spent with my brother, talking, joking, philosophizing.  Seeing the similarities, sharing the stories, strengthening the bond between us.  Time for the two of us apart from the world, an opportunity to grow more firmly into the brothers we were meant to be. 

Presence:

Several moments of quiet bliss ascending the peak, thousand foot drops on either side, pelted by pellets of snow, buffered by the high velocity wind.  Total calm and peace in the quiet stillness of a soul at peace doing what it was meant to do, living in moments of awe and wonder.

Thanks!!!

Friday, September 18

Day 4,009

Growth:

Every person walks their own mountain.  

As I walked alone on the mountain today this quote rang through my soul.

“The secret of the mountain is that the mountains simply exist, as I do myself: the mountains exist simply, which I do not. The mountains have no “meaning,” they are meaning; the mountains are. The sun is round. I ring with life, and the mountains ring, and when I can hear it, there is a ringing that we share. I understand all this, not in my mind but in my heart, knowing how meaningless it is to try to capture what cannot be expressed, knowing that mere words will remain when I read it all again, another day.”  Peter Matthiessen, The Snow Leopard

As I basked in the majesty and the glory of the mountains around me I felt their simplicity, I heard their music.

Appreciation:

A day on the mountain, an experience shared with my brother, small doses of quiet time alone on the trails.  Time reflect.  An opportunity to take in the beauty of nature.  Such a wonderful day!

Presence:

So much of the day was spent in a state of awe and wonder, presence was almost always with me.  

The mountains, the golden colored aspen, the lakes, the wildlife, talking with my brother, the sensations in my legs, all of it led to an extended state of presence.  

Such an incredible day!

Thanks!!!

Thursday, September 17

Day 4,008

Growth:

We all face the same challenges, obstacles, and set backs – they are all just dressed up in slightly different costumes.  The actual things may be different, but the themes remain.  

Ego.  Money.  Purpose.  Relationships.  Expectations. Values.  Resilience.  Fear.  Opportunity.  Confidence.  And so many more.

It seems as if it is easier to treat each other with the love we all hope to receive when we pause and remember we all face the same through different experiences.

Appreciation:

One of my goals for the year was to go on eight shared mini-adventures.  There was no detail on distance, activity, or participants.  The intent was to live more fully into one of the things that really makes me me – sharing time with others in the outdoors.  This also challenged me to plan ahead and work with others as this was not something I could accomplish on my own, I needed others to buy into this concept with me.

Now, as I lay on my inflatable bed in the front of the campervan I can’t help but be grateful for putting this goal on paper.  It’s led to a few more adventures with loved ones, adventures likely not had if not for the goal.

Presence:

Finishing up making dinner, walking over to sit at the picnic table with my brother, only to find him staring in awe and wonder at the Colorado scenery surrounding us.  The slight smile, the eyes taking everything in, the glow of someone experiencing a moment of presence and joy.

Thanks!!!