There are many times when I find the 90 minute drive to Eau Claire to be way too long. Other days it is the right length of time to knock out part of an intriguing audiobook. Once in a while it is therapeutic in a way only the road can heal. Today was a very therapeutic drive.

My drive this morning included a very chill background soundtrack, Lana Del Ray’s NFR. First time I’d ever listened to it and the music was exactly what my brain needed (not so much the lyrics though they were occasionally entertaining). The tunes were soothing and relaxed and provided just the right mental lubrication for my mind to work through a small handful of complexities in life. The beautiful scenery of the driftless passing by me on the highway added to the serenity. In those 90 minutes I knew all would work out exactly the way it was meant to.

I swear, time alone on the road can be the best therapist in the world. Everything just works itself out given enough miles.

On the way to Winona I took advantage of a little space in my schedule and turned off the main drive and quickly found myself on a one and a half lane road in the middle of nowhere. Skipping the maps I went with my sense of direction and did my best to keep the sun over my left shoulder. The scenery was astounding! Rock formations, bluffs, undulating hills, steep cliffs, and absolutely no other traffic. Amazing!

The rest of my day was fantastic in many ways. I’m thanking the road for putting me in the right mindset early this morning.

Thanks!!!

While much of the morning and early afternoon was spent with each of us heading in different directions to get done the tasks we each had on our lists there was a break in the action late in the afternoon. The sun was out, the wind died down, and we went out for a walk as a family. The dogs smiled the entire time as the four of us shot the bull and enjoyed spending time with just the four (six counting the dogs) of us.

Life gets busy. We’ve all got a lot going on. Moments like this when we’re able to spend time together focused on nothing but being a family are amongst my favorite in the world. No agenda, no tasks, no nothing, just family time. I love and appreciate each and every one of these times together.

After supper as a family we fired up the first family Christmas movie of the season. As I type this we’re all enjoying one of our favorite Christmas movies, Elf, together on the couched. Laughing out loud together as a family is awesome and greatly appreciated! Talk about a perfect end to the weekend 🙂

Thanks!!!

The long weekend has been a very welcome guest this week! After driving home today we knocked out almost all of our errands for the weekend, all the stuff we typically would do on a Sunday. With everything out of the way I’ve got a bonus Sunday tomorrow – woo hoo! There’s a lot I want to get done tomorrow, but that’s totally fine, I’ve got time for it as tomorrow is Bonus Sunday. Now I just need to find a way to work this our more often 😉

On Friday morning I awoke just in time to throw on my shoes and head outside to catch a stunning sunrise. As normal, the pics don’t do it justice. I snapped a few and then just stood there and soaked it in. Right in front of me the entire sky and world within my vision shifted from dark shades of blue and purple to deep reds, pinks, and then orange. In a matter of moments the entire sky transformed.

Within the moments of change was a splendor which was intensified by the fleetingness of the experience. The majesty of the sunrise was compounded exponentially by the temporary nature of the sunrise. My soul focused so deeply on the sunrise as I knew each second that passed meant the beauty was shifting and getting one second closer to disappearing.

The sunrise was made all the more beautiful by the knowledge that it would only exist for a moment and would then be gone. Because it was finite I knew it should be appreciated in its fullness in that moment as the moment was soon to be gone.

What a stunning reminder of the temporary nature of life.

Thanks!!!

Sometimes the simple things in life are just the best, aren’t they?

Tonight’s post is focused on something I’ve done many times before, but not recently. We hit the outdoor skating rink by Lambeau Field tonight and I strapped on some skates for the first time in a very long while.

Talk about a blast! Reminding myself that I know how to ice skate was one thing, doing more activity outside was great, and spending time with family was the best.

Thanks!!!

After coming in from spending time in the woods today I received a pretty perfect quote from a teammate. He texted a quote his dad shared on Facebook:

“Happy Thanksgiving! This is a good day to remind ourselves to keep our gratitude higher than our expectations. When we do that, we have really good days.”

What a perfect quote for Thanksgiving Day!

Throughout the rest of the day this quote resonated with me and reminded me that true happiness is to be found in wanting what we have, not having what we want.

Thanks!!!

This afternoon I was out in the woods with the boys and family. While everyone else hunted I had no rifle on me. My only intent was to spend time with family hiking through the woods. I was quickly reminded of my favorite times out with Dad, not caring if I got anything back then, just soaking in the peace of being outdoors.

At one point I paused to listen to the sound of stillness. I listened, looked around, drew a nice deep breath in through my nose… and just about had a heart attack!

Seemingly out of nowhere a whitetail deer jumped out from where it had been quietly hidden. It took off like a shot out of a cannon from only 15-20 feet away. Before I knew it the deer bounded away through the thick brush and was gone. Talk about wild!

I laughed out loud and took a minute to enjoy the sensations coursing through me. Excitement, joy, happiness, fulfillment, wonder, and gratitude. The encounter was beyond anything I had hoped to experience on this trip to the woods.

Yes, my heart just about leapt from my chest, but I can’t describe just how awesomely surreal the entire moment was. Throw in the white rabbit that followed up the deer a few minutes later and it was like I was in a Disney movie!

I’m so thankful for the experience! I don’t need to hunt any time soon, spending time in the slaloms chasing and encounter like that is what I’m truly after.

Thanks!!

Life in the staffing world is ridiculously busy. Nonstop calls, texts, and emails from employers looking for new talent to add to their teams. Just as many conversations with job seekers working with them to figure out the best possible fit for them. Day after day it can sometimes feel like a hamster wheel out of control as it seems the harder we work the faster the wheel turns and it seems to never stop and pause.

This afternoon we hit the Pause button and took some much needed time to enjoy some of our recent victories as a team. First we brought in an awesome Mixologist from Eau Claire Cocktail Company to show us how to make some tasty drinks. Then we were off to the escape room in which we set the record for the fastest time without a single clue!

Throughout we were laughing, enjoying each others company, and getting to know each other better. It was nothing short of spectacular. So easy to keep grinding, so much appreciated to pause, breathe, and laugh together. I’m so thankful we took time to smell the roses and celebrate today!

Thanks!!!

I may not know the question, but hiking must be the right answer. If that isn’t quite right I might follow up with one of these as the correct solution: …time outside. …spending time with family in the outdoors. …enjoying the fresh air. …soaking in the silence. …simplicity. …take time to be grateful for the beauty of nature. …presence. Those are all the right answer.

Our hike in Hixon this morning was awesome. The weather was perfect, the sun came out, the scents of fall surrounded us, a deer watched us from a safe distance, the bright blues and reds of blue jays and cardinals caught our eye, and the Mississippi River Valley amazed us with its majesty as usual.

My mindset was so calm and still, there was no stress, no thought to the future, only the present moment and occasionally a little trip down memory lane as we remembered our trips to Isle Royale and the Porcupine Mountains earlier this summer. Time in the outdoors, especially when getting in some physical activity, is always the right answer, always what my soul is craving – particularly those times when the time is shared with loved ones.

Thanks!!!