Becky shot me a text this morning on a news article she thought I’d enjoy. With all the news intake I’ve had over the past week I paused for a moment before reading it. Due in part to a significantly higher than normal intake of news last week I saw my resting heart rate increase last week. My plan this week was to shut it all down and take the week off from all news to help myself reset.
As soon as I saw the title I realized that this was the exception to make, without a doubt. After I read it I couldn’t help but wonder if I need to find a steady stream of news like this instead.
Chris Nikic shows off his training plan for Ironman Florida. (Courtesy of Nikic family)
Long story short – read the article. What Chris accomplished is a mind-blowing feat in of itself, let alone for someone with the additional challenges he had to face. Chris willed himself to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and then run 26.2 miles all within seventeen hours. Oh yeah, and that’s after he had surgery to repair a hole in his heart, repeated ear surgeries, and having to use a walker when he was three.
There are so many lessons any of us can learn from this story. Not allowing others to dictate what we can or cannot do. The power of writing a dream on paper. The ability of grit to carry us to our dreams. How to plan and then adapt in order to reach something that seems just out of reach.
Chris – thank you for the additional inspiration dude! You are truly a hero and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to hear your story. Best of successes in achieving all of your future dreams!
The past week and change has been filled with much life. There’s a lot going on in many different directions. There’ve been many things to do and take care of. As I spent time to write my mind can almost feel like it’s been drowning in thoughts and action from the past week or so.
Much of the action has been positive. Many things I am thankful to have prioritized for many reasons. I’m grateful for having done each of them. That said, I’m feeling a bit wore down and tired. Good thing I’m taking some time off in the near future to re-charge!
What’s been extremely helpful over the past few days has been carving out little pockets of solitude. In those moments it is just me and my thoughts. I’m able to close my eyes, breathe, and just be. Those moments have allowed me time to process all the other action from the past week and relax.
Yesterday it was putting in my headphones, listening to some beautifully chill classical music and going for a walk. On that walk I was blessed to see the sunset below. No one else, no conversation, only me existing in the moment, taking in the present, and taking time to myself.
This afternoon it was taking time to lay on my bed, turn on my breathing practice audio, and then breathe. For 20-ish minutes I was able to shut off everything in my life except my own breath in the moment. By the time I was finished I felt more relaxed and calm.
Now as I blog I return to my typical moment of solitude. Pausing to spend time alone, processing the day, and workmen through my thoughts. I type as I listen to more wonderful music, hear the wind chimes in the background, and enjoy the breeze in my hair as I sit on the deck. In this moment there is only peaceful, relaxing, and re-energizing solitude.
If I were not careful I would easily burn myself out by staying in constant motion. By carving out time to breathe, think, and exist alone I’m able to re-fill and continue to strive to be the best me I can live into.
Over the course of the day I’ve had the opportunity to listen to three incredibly insightful podcasts. While I’ll never walk in the shoes of others I am thankful for the opportunity to get a little insight into what they’ve faced. For clarity, I’ll ever even begin to feel the pain, suffering, and hurt they’ve felt due to the hatred, selfishness, fragility, and greed of others.
One podcast shared the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg taking action to help women receive equal rights. Another shared the story of a pair of sisters following The Trail of Tears learning about what their ancestors lived through. The last told the story of the Mississippi flag going back to 1982 and moving forward to today. All three stories were heartbreaking and gut wrenching. Thinking that such things were even possible blows my mind. And that’s how they felt for me… I can’t even begin to imagine the feelings and emotions of those directly impacted.
I’m thankful for taking the time to listen to these stories today as they remind me to pause and look at the world through the eyes of others. They remind me that I have a responsibility to help others be treated fairly, equitably, and with love. All people are created equal, we need to help each other out to have the opportunities to live into their best selves.
While it was uncomfortable, they remind me of mistakes I’ve made in the past. They remind me of the blind spots I’ve had and still have. They remind me to listen, love, and respect all life. They inspire me to find ways to help others while continuing to focus on my personal growth and open mindedness. These stories remind me to be grateful for diversity, to have plasticity of mind, and to listen to others, especially when they are hurting. In short, to live as Jesus taught and lived – to love thy neighbor, regardless of gender, race, religion, age, economic class, political views, or any other constructs of society.
These stories today have left a deep impact on my heart and soul. I will carry them with me forever, and will use them as sources of strength to do what is right. They remind me to be a part of the solution, to be a part of the positive, loving, and open minded change our world needs.
Today’s been a pretty epic day for a variety of reasons. The morning run was capped with philosophical conversation and eye catching views of the moon halo. My mind was stretched in several different ways through work (in very good ways). There was an excellent client meeting that should lead to future success. A few hours were spent working with new-ish teammates and they’re making tremendous progress. I’m spending time with Becky and Gavin playing games while we listen to the sound of Dominic playing with his friends online. So many funny memes and texts with friends throughout the day. Life is great!
What really felt amazing was the amount of time spent on the deck in early November. I grilled under the lights. We ate supper on the deck and enjoyed the fresh air. Becky and I even went grocery shopping online while relaxing on the deck. Maybe it’s just me, but everything seems just a little better in the world when I’m outside on the deck. To have the opportunity to do that in early November is nothing short of extraordinary!
After a handful of more weighty topics over the past week and change something more lighthearted seems like the right way to go for tonight’s gratitude.
How about that weather today? If every November day were like this it would really be something! We took full advantage of the unseasonably warm weather in a few ways today. Over lunch I got a nice couple of mile walk in. Right after work we went out for another couple of mile walk. Supper? Why not eat outside on the deck when the weather is this nice? Sitting on the deck under the lights in a sweatshirt and shorts was pretty awesome. All day long the opportunity to enjoy the sun and heat kept me smiling.
There were so many other random moments throughout the day that I was greatly thankful for, and many added a wonderful levity to my day. The random memes from so many different friends had me laughing often. Hanging out with friends on Zoom was relaxing and fun. Taking time to examine a crazy goal was enlightening. Many conversations involving laughter throughout the day. Celebrating the successes of teammates was awesome! Waking up early, getting my bike trainer ride in, doing my breath work, and then following up with a cold shower to start the morning jolted my body into an alert and energized state. So much to be thankful for today!
Pretty straight forward and simple today. Grateful for the time in the present, the smiles, time in thought, and time with loved ones. How perfect of a day is that?
Living into a stoic mindset is so simple when life is easy. Many of the ideas and concepts get measured against past experiences or imagined events. The lessons are learned but maybe not quite as embedded. It becomes so easy to see the future successes and the ease with which ones takes on an imagined dragon. So simple, so foolish.
When are lessons truly learned? When is progress really made? The true growth happens in the test.
Hypotheticals are easy. Being tested shows how much has sunk in and has become a part of us.
Throughout the past 48-ish hours it seems like test after test after test have provided opportunities for me to practice my practice. As wave after wave have crashed on the shore I’m continuing to smile and be thankful.
The test. This is where I grow. This is where I am me. I am thankful for each of these moments. They are an appreciated opportunity to prove to myself that I am focused on becoming the me I should be.
Last weekend one of my friends asked me how I blog when I am frustrated or things aren’t going well. Dude, this is totally one of those times. I dial up the gratitude for the opportunity to be tested. I ask myself the same question over and over, “What can I learn from this?” I am truly grateful for the test, I am appreciative of the opportunity to prove to myself that I am truly grateful, focused on the present, and am ready to make the best of whatever challenge is thrown my way.
The test. This is my time to grow. The struggles are there, there will be discomfort, but I will appreciate them as they are signs of growth and my ability to persevere.
Not gonna lie, I’ve already got a blog in mind for tomorrow and it involves no more political ads, calls, and texts… Just sayin’! Even though all the election stuff is in the news I’m largely withdrawing from society for the next ten hours. No point in stressing something that likely won’t be concluded in the next week or two anyways. As such the theme for me tonight is chill; in all its forms 😉
One of the key takeaways I’ve drawn from one of the books I’m reading is the power of a cold shower. By switching the water from hot to cold for the last 15 seconds to 2 minutes of my shower I’m able to give my pulmonary system and vagus nerve a nice little workout. There’s a lot of science behind it but I won’t dive into it here. If you want to learn more just let me know.
Long story short, I’ve worked my way up from fifteen seconds to well over two minutes each day over the past eight days. I walk away feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to go. While in the shower my mind goes to a beautiful state of peace, presence, and focus – albeit after the shock of the first 15-30 seconds. Funny, but it’s amongst the most relaxing part of my day and I can already feel it becoming habit. I’m grateful for this new way to kick off a day!
One of the songs that’s been in my head a lot lately is Shine by Mondo Cozmo (https://youtu.be/1pOUbcbTvOU) . Something about it just seems to fit so well with all going on in life. Here’s a little sample:
Stick with me Jesus through the comin’ storm I’ve come to you in search of something I have lost Shine down a light on me and show a path I promise you I will return if you take me back
It’s been one that’s close to mind recently. Each time I’ve pulled it up I can’t help but feel a bit uplifted and relaxed in a positive way. To dial up a combo of Shine followed by the Chris Cornell version of Patience and then close out with Woods by Hollow Coves is pretty much chill perfection. Times like this I’m thanks for music that fits the mood and sets the mood.
Picture from last night that fit the mood of tonight… chill.
Last, what a beautiful November day! Becky and I got a nice walk in under the stars while Gavin was at practice. Having time to shut down the outside world, get physical activity in, and enjoy the unseasonably warm weather was a great way to start closing up the night. Each step, each breath through my nose, and each little breeze on face felt like perfection. The enjoyment of the present moment in such a state of perfect weather reminded me of how little I actually need for joy and how beautiful simplicity can be. Breathe in, breathe out, exist, and be grateful.
Full disclosure, somehow I stumbled upon two very interesting books at the same time. The one I’m thankful for today is the one I’ve almost finished and the other I’ll have finished by the end fo the next weekend. Both books have a very strong similarity, a focus on the power of breath.
Breath by James Nestor has been one crazy factoid after another. Throughout the book there’ve been many interesting nuggets of information – supported by science – as well as ways to take advantage of our physiology. Never in my life would I have imagined that I knew as little about the essential bodily function that I do so many thousand of times each day. Hearing about how the body breathes and all the ways I can impact it has been mind blowing.
One nugget in particular I’ve been consciously focusing on improving is nasal breathing. I’m not sure if it is due to allergies or something else, but my nose is seemingly always stuffy. This stuffiness has led to the habit of breathing through my mouth. During especially rough allergy seasons I’ll wake up in the morning with a raw throat from breathing out of my mouth all night long.
This book showed me just how important it is to breathe through my nose instead of my mouth – and not just for the reason of a dry and irritated throat. Through a handful of the exercises in the book I’m already finding I have the ability to control how open my nose is. In a matter of minutes I can go from stuffed up to breathing through my nose only. It’s crazy!
What I’m also finding are so many ways to breath in ways that are much more healthy (yes, there are healthy and less healthy ways to breathe). When I combine the ideas from this book with the other I’m reading I’m finding ways to increase my lung capacity. There are several things I’m looking forward to trying over the next couple of weeks to see how I can improve my fitness and athletic performance as well.
If you suffer from asthma, allergies, or anything else breathing related or are interested in the physiology of the nose I’d recommend picking up a copy of the book. My mind is already blown and I’m not even done yet!
What are the deeply impactful moments of clarity in your life? You know, those experiences when something set itself upon your soul and you knew it would shape your values and world view in a profound way for the rest of your life. Maybe it was an experience, a story, something incredibly good and fortunate, or maybe it was something you wished would never happen but it did. In those moments a lesson is taught with such clarity that it leaves a mark on your soul and becomes a part of who you are and who you will be.
Last night’s sermon at church was one of those moments for me. A striking lesson that will be with me for the rest of my life and will shape future actions. I am sure I will not always live into it as I should, but the spirit of this lesson will be there with me as I make decisions and take actions in my life.
Fr Dodge started talking about saints as November 1st is All Saints Day. He shared a story to hep us understand what a saint really is and helped us see that it is not something unattainable for all of us. If you’d like to watch and hear it yourself instead of reading my ramblings you can check it out here ( https://youtu.be/nWxg8anthpI?t=1316 ) and it will go right to exact moment for you. Even if you are not Christian or Catholic I can almost guarantee you’ll appreciate this three minute story as well.
The story is this. Each time a mother takes her son to church she points to the stained glass windows and spends time explaining who the different saints are in hopes he remembers them as he grows older. Once the young child has grown a bit and goes to Sunday school their teacher asks the question, “what is a saint?” His response? “Saints are those who let The Light shine through them.”
“Saints are those who let The Light shine through them.” What a profound thought!
To be clear, being a saint isn’t something on my dream list or a goal written somewhere. What this thought helps me see is a very clear way of viewing my actions, emotions, and intentions. It provides a two part thought process to help me. Am I focused on receiving the light and am I letting it shine through?
When I think of the phrase there must be light in order to allow it to shine through. Am I acting with kindness? Am I acting with positivity? Am I acting with gratitude? Am I acting with an open mind? Am I acting with inclusivity? Am I acting with peace? Am I acting with joy? Am I acting with the right intentions? Am I acting with love? In short, am I acting with the ideals The Big Dude Upstairs would want me to act with? Am I acting as Jesus would? If the answer is yes The Light is there and shining brightly.
Love, love, love this pic for so many reasons.
Am I letting The Light shine through? There are times when it is so easy to keep things inside and not share them outwardly. Sometimes the light might be there but I cover it with a heavy blanket or I close the curtains around it. When someone is overly negative, closed minded, taking poor actions, or acting with anger am I hiding the light or am I courageous enough to let the light shine through? This can be a very tough one! How many times have I allowed the darkness to cause me to act with darkness or to withhold the light at the very moment in which its presence was needed more than ever? Did I have the courage to let the light shine through even if I was nervous, uncomfortable, or scared? The Light was meant to be shared, am I selfishly keeping it to myself or selflessly letting it shine?
Those two key questions will resonate in my brain for the rest of my life. As I started with, I am positive I will fail sometimes, but this knowledge will help me act with grace more than I would have without it.
There’s also a very interesting note that Father Dodge added at the end of the sermon. Allowing The Light to shine through us may cause us to feel worse in some cases. Think of the windows in a house. When the light hits them you can quickly see the smudges that need to be cleaned. As we would allow The Light to shine through us it is important to remember we will see more of our own mistakes. Those are opportunities for growth, not a reason to stop letting the light in. We can take the time to clean those smudges and allow The Light to shine through even more clearly.
Have a wonderful rest of your day, I hope we all allow The Light to shine through us today!
Thankful for Forty 