Day 2,215

Growth:

There were a handful of observations I had from our NextGen Leadership over the past 24 hours:

• The main thing getting in the way of growth seems to be holding on too tightly. Ease up, make space, create goal / vision clarity, and let others do what they do best.
• Working within a combination of strength and passion creates success.
• Mixing and matching styles to create a new solution is very effective – when the different styles both respect and appreciate each other.

Appreciation:

Spending time with mentors is never time wasted. I’m beyond appreciative to have had the opportunity to spend time with two of the greatest mentors I could ever have asked for today. Thank you again to the Tasler’s for sharing their time and wisdom with us today!!!

Presence:

Becky helped walk me back from the ledge before what could have been Dominic’s last soccer game tonight. I was all worked up and pacing, worrying about all the possibilities and things that could happen – both good and bad. She reminded me that if I stayed this worked up I would miss the moment itself. Very zen-like Becky! …and 100% accurate. I told a deep breath and kept that thought in mind.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,214

Growth:

Sharing the load feels like I’m giving in, Lind I’m admitting I’m not strong enough. How wild to realize it is actually a huge source of strength to ask for help!

Appreciation:

Connecting via emails and texts is helpful, but connecting in real life is divine.

Speaking of divine, the porchetta at NOSH in Winona was “blow my face off” delicious this evening to the point of being standalone evidence that there is a God and They love us 😉

Presence:

Running in the dark when the temperature is below zero is exhilarating. Each breath feels extra clean and crisp due to the temperature while the darkness masks the distance. Becky and I talk often in those runs but we occasionally both seem to skip into a drumming based meditation. Those moments are magical in their own special way and are mini pockets of presence.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,213

Growth:

So much to write about tonight related to growth! Hmm… how to sum it all up?

Sometimes the progress made can’t be seen in days. When measured in years the growth is tremendous. Trust that the small actions today will create mountains in the distance.

Appreciation:

This morning I had coffee with a friend I hadn’t seen in years. We dove right into conversation as if we’d talked last week.

What’s interesting is that this is yet another example of how releasing my book has led to reconnecting with friends. I swear that writing is the gift that keeps on giving. So many positive impacts!

Presence:

Time spent catching up with a friend I haven’t seen in a handful of years creates such a moment of presence. When I finally looked at my watch I was stunned that so much time had flown by so quickly.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,212

Growth:

Some of the best books must be read over and over and over and over before they really start to sink in. Just started reading-reading Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Mind-blowing on so many levels. This is one I’ll be reading at least annually for the remainder of my life.

Appreciation:

Whew, I am going to keep this one a little short this time next my emotions get the best of me. Today I received a set of heartfelt gifts from one if my work families. The meaning and purpose behind them were profoundly powerful and will have a lasting positive impact on my soul.

Presence:

For lunch I drove out to one of my favorite spots to take in the views of the leaves. I pulled out my salad and ate in my car. I turned on the audiobook of Man’s Search for Meaning and was quickly lost in the story. I was so into it that I didn’t realize how late it was getting until my salad was gone. Such a thought provoking story, I was so glued to it. My brain didn’t wander in the least, it was amazing!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,211

Growth:

One of the things I learned about Dad after he passed were all the different “Pete’s” there really were. I knew the “Dad” version very well, but many of the others were a mystery to me until after he passed. What struck me today was how his humility kept those other “Pete’s” on the sideline when we talked. He’d often focus so much on asking me questions and listening that we wouldn’t hear as much about all gage had going on. I’d do myself a favor to remember that example each day.

Appreciation:

I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow from past mistakes. Today I lived into a better version of me because I learned from a recent time when I did not live into my best version of me. It doesn’t fix the past, but it helps me live better forward.

Presence:

My favorite part of church is the sermon. Today I was reminded of how captivating an excellent sermon can be. Father Sam had a superb balance of humor, humility, and wisdom that commanded my attention from start through finish.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,210

Growth:

Most everything has a beginning, a middle, and an end. The first time one truly realizes there’s an end coming there is a moment of awareness that may shake us almost to our core. There’s more to unpack to this concept than I have energy for tonight. Will definitely pick this thread back up before too long.

Appreciation :

Becky had a wonderful idea for today. After dropping a Gavin off at the soccer field we went for a hike. Nothing crazy, but just the snouts outside and woods time to fill me up.

Presence:

Funny how sometimes it’s not until much later that I realize how in the zone I am. A few friends and I got together for some board games and I was unaware of just how into the night I was until I got in my car to leave and realized I’d missed a few text messages. Never heard my phone go off, I was too busy playing, laughing, and talking.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,209

Growth:

In order to grow there has to be time to learn, time to plan, and time to do. If I do nothing but train I don’t have time to put a strategy together and then take action. There’s a time to do each, I need to remember to not get too bogged down in any of the three while also remembering to take enough time in each. Interesting balancing act to be sure!

Appreciation:

Today I’m grateful for wonderful timing. Last night I dropped off a book for a friend. As luck would have it they had time off today and read the entire book, cover to cover! The feedback they had for me warmed my soul. If that wasn’t enough perfect timing, guess who we ran into at the football game tonight? What a way to wrap up a day of perfect timing than with a post reading hug! Gotta love how life just works out sometimes.

Presence:

The snow was absolutely beautiful today. Big poofy flakes, you know the type, the ones that almost looks like cotton balls falling. So calming and soothing to watch. Even better knowing that they were melting as soon as they touched the ground. 😉

Thanks!!!

Day 2,208

Growth:

When looking at each project I need to pause and think. Is it really something I should delegate to someone with the right strengths rather than doing it myself? Will this drain me but energize someone else? Does this directly lead to living my purpose? Today has shown me examples of each… and I was only right 33% of the time. Room to grow!

Appreciation:

My first reaction is to take action. The right action is almost always to pause, breathe, think, and then react. Today I had many reminders of how important it is to pause. Thank you to all who were patient with me and all who helped me see where I can improve!

Presence:

Sometimes presence comes at times when I don’t want it but when I desperately needed it. I was very much aware of just how frustrated I was at a specific moment and of how incorrect my actions were. I didn’t breathe, I reacted and was keenly aware of it.

As I reflected on it afterward the clarity of my presence helped me learn from where I’d find wrong and helped me apologize. It would have been more comfortable to have been on autopilot and be numb, but presence and awareness were much appreciated in that moment.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,207

Growth:

Perspective makes all the difference in the world. Spending money for a drivers license for a child can be an expensive cost for them to have a license – or – it can be a small price to pay for freedom and the addition of many minutes back into one’s life. Perspective is ours to choose.

Appreciation:

Much of my work today was focused on areas of strength. I got lost in the moment on more than a few occasions and the day flew by while also being very productive. Finding ways to focus on the right areas makes such a huge difference and I’m glad I had the opportunity to do so today!

Presence:

The clouds were pretty thick this morning. I usually work in my office without a light turned on but this morning I relented due to the darkness. What really caught my attention today was the quick passing of minutes as the sky cleared more rapidly than seemed possible. In what seemed like only a minute or two the clouds lightened and then sky opened to blue. Seeing the sun shining down after such a rapid removal of the gloominess was quite the sight!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,206

Growth:

Delegation, clear and effective communication, and purpose are powerful allies. When used appropriately the three combine to create positive results. When out of balance the results will not be as successful, especially over the long haul.

Appreciation:

Favorite books are like comfy sweatshirts on a cool autumn afternoon. Throwing them on warms the soul and brings immediate calm. I just wrapped up one of my favorite “sweatshirt books” – Awareness by Anthony de Mello and it kept me warm all day long.

Presence:

For better or worse – it is so easy to get lost in the moment during a soccer game. The urgency of the game, the breakneck pace, and the emotions of the crowd and teams. Nothing else is going on in my mind during many moments of the game.

What I find interesting is how simple it is to be lost in the allure of games like this. You get the benefit of presence without the joy of purpose and accomplishment Definitely something to remember.

Thanks!!!