Day 2,175

We had an excellent dinner with friends tonight. Our family went to their house, had a delicious supper, and spent time talking and relaxing.

On the way home Dominic took one for the team and was our chauffeur. So chill to not have to drive home!

I’m also very thankful for short blog posts like tonight. I had so much fun during the day and evening that now I’m exhausted and almost falling asleep while typing. Means it has been a full day!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,174

This year I’ve gotten a little off my normal cadence of book reading. I usually do autobiography/biography, business/self-improvement, and fiction – repeat the cycle over and over. In my quest to read 100 books this year I’ve been a lot more liberal with my selections. This has meant a dip in fiction throughout the year.

Book #75 has been blowing my mind! Stephen King’s new novel – Fairy Tale – has been totally spellbinding! I’m about two thirds of the way through and have been enjoying every chapter.

In reading this book I’m so grateful for the masterful storytelling of King. I’m doing my best to take it all in and savor it in two ways at once. First for the entertainment value and then for the storytelling lessons to be learned. Such a wonderful balance of character building, emotion, background description, and just enough half built and half unfinished details. So much to learn from one of the best!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,173

Sometimes it feels good to just roll from one thing to the next. One task into the next, take a quick breath, move on to the next thing. Repeat.

It is definitely not the pace that I want to keep up for too long of a time, but for short bursts it sometimes feels amazingly productive. The speed almost creates its own gravity of presence as there is no time to even drift into another thought.

Tiring, for sure, but also feels fantastic when done in the right dose. Since getting back from Colorado it’s been a nonstop thrill ride and I’ve got my hands up in the air and I’m screaming with joy.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,172

I am so blessed to have a career and the teams that I am a part of. After taking a few days off to spend in the woods backpacking I found myself almost giddy to get back at it this morning. I’ve got a couple of teams who are awesomely motivated people with excellent values. My career path itself is challenging in an very good way with ongoing opportunities to grow while living towards my purpose.

Today I was back with my teams and working in my strengths, and I appreciated each moment of it!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,171

I’m very appreciative for the interest the boys have in playing sports while in school. Tonight was a doubleheader of soccer games for the Kreilings, a JV game followed by Varsity. The outcomes of the games were different but they both had something in common.

One of the things I appreciate about sports is their ability to coach all of us on life lessons. There were a small handful tonight for the boys and for me. Nothing crazy or earth shattering, but some excellent reminders. I’ll leave it to the boys to talk about theirs.

Mine were rather simple. Remember that I don’t always know the backstory. I can only control what I can control. Take a deep breath to think before responding with emotion. Sometimes the role of a dad is to do the difficult stuff that doesn’t feel good. Sounding like my dad is the worst… and the best all at the same time.

All great thoughts, all through sports.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,170

I’m still working through all my thoughts and emotions from what I’ve experienced over the past handful of days. Even the 11 hours of driving wasn’t enough to sort through the range of thoughts and newly created memories. Rather than chance losing some thoughts along the way I’ll jot some of them down now, and rather than worry about perfection in my writing I’ll skip any concern over perfection. (That’s probably a space I should explore more often!)

Steve is currently working on completing one of his big bucket list dreams – through hiking the entirety of the almost 500 mile Colorado Trail. I joined him for a couple of days on his journey and savored every minute of it. Here are some random thoughts from the trail:

• The mountains have been here longer than humans have existed and they will exist long after humans do not. Remember this perspective to stay humble and maintain perspective.
• Funny how good friends can almost develop their own language.
• There is a joy to be found in chosen suffering, especially when suffered for a noble cause.
• The quiet trail can speak to the soul so much more clearly than a crowded street.
• It is truly unique to see how little one really needs to live. So much stuff surrounds me that is unnecessary.
• Stripping down life to its most simple leads to both a profound joy and clarity of purpose.
• Escape to the desert, create space to be, get out of our normal and comfortable mind, and close the gap.
• We are social creatures yet I find frustration in large crowds while also knowing complete solitude and living as a hermit also brings frustration. How to find through balance and fine line? Listen to the words of Merton while also remembering how he lived.
• What a difference purpose makes in life!
• It is easier to sleep deeply when I’m not worried about being attacked by a bear. Remember we all may have their bears in another form. Help each other remove the fear.
• Squirrels can be jerks, especially when they attack with pine cones.
• To filter water or not to filter water? Remember the conversation of the other two hikers – “I don’t filter and I’ve never had giardia.” “You will.”
• Remember the conversation with the married hikers who heard a noise but heard it very differently. Being right isn’t always right, play the long game.
• Time in nature is always the right answer.
• If one must be stuck in traffic there are not many better places than a beautiful mountain valley.

In addition to lessons was the opportunity to walk with Steve. So many memories created, so many laughs, and so many steps. I’m so blessed to have had the opportunity to tag along on his dream adventure!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,169

I’m continually impressed with how the right lessons seem to hit at the right time.

I’ve been on a Thomas Merton kick as of late. The lessons from his books have been resonating louder and more clearly than ever before. I’ve the last week many of my actions have been guided through his teachings and have led me to better live into what is starting to seem more and more like my purpose. What a wonderful gifts those lessons are!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,168

Many miles of hiking today with Steve. The trail segment had many stunning views of the mountains, the basin, and everything in between. At one point we crossed a stream that I could have sat by for hours – so serene!

The views were certainly a bit of a challenge to get to. One single six mile stretch of the hike was a constant incline. It was brutal, but well worth it.

As I lay in my tent I am feeling 100% spent. And it feels amazing!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,167

Our campsite tonight is about half a mile away from the nearest water source. To get all the water needed for the night I made the trip twice. During those trips – so simple in nature – I had a profound sense of purposeful peace.

I need water to live, thus I needed to go get water. This wasn’t a on extra thing, it wasn’t a diversion, and it wasn’t for fun. It was because it had to be. In that moment life was stripped down to what was needed from what was wanted. I was doing exactly what I should be doing in that time.

Something about the clarity of purpose, the freedom from distraction, the simplicity of the task, and the fact that it was all outdoors and in the mountains created such a peace. What a beautiful moment!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,166

That was quite the drive today! It was dark when I left and dark when I arrived. Other than a few gas station stops and a Walmart run I drove straight through, 15 hours.

What I’ll most likely remember most is a day in two parts. On my way out I watched the sunrise over the bluffs in the rearview mirror. On the way into town I was blessed to watch the sunset over the mountains in Colorado. Stunning beauty on both ends. Contemplative quiet time in between.

What a wonderful day!

Thanks!!!