Day 2,318

Growth:

The world feels like a better place when we feel 100% comfortable picking up hitchhikers. Seriously, on our ride to town we had an open seat on our golf cart and there were people looking for a ride. We pulled over twice and helped get them closer to their destination.

Maybe the bigger view is this – in a mindset if abundance I see resources I have which can benefit others so I share them without asking anything in return. It helps the other person and causes me no harm. Abundance thinking leads to joy everytime.

Appreciation:

Tami plans so much of our Belize trips behind the scenes, I’ve only recently learned how crazy that task can be. This evening I had an exchange with the front desk that had me almost rolling with laughter while simultaneously sweating and wondering if it was actually going to get fixed. I’m thankful gif her planning, patience, and attention to detail to help create an excellent experience for our teammates.

Presence:

At mini golf tonight I laughed so hard at a joke that I almost blew my drink out my nose! Laughing, joking, and goofing off as a group, what an awesome way to spend time together.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,317

Growth:

In the words of an inspiring mentor. Give. Give more than you feel comfortable giving. Give without a thought of receiving in return. Give.

Appreciation:

Sharing moments, is there any greater joy in the world? Spending time with others creating memories through shared life experiences – especially in moments of true awe and presence.

So incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share so many amazing moments of awe today!

Presence:

A moment in a song that pulls at your heart strings unexpectedly. What a beautiful moment of presence the sound from a guitar can bring.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,316

Growth:

Living our values towards our purpose will always lead to joy.

Appreciation:

Today I spent time in a village which only recently had a road built to it. Before that the only way in and out was by boat. In that village were so many reminders of how important simplicity is to our lives and wellbeing.

Case in point? The five kids playing soccer in a field. Not one shoe amongst any of them. All laughing, playing, having fun, exercising, and enjoying each other’s company.

So many reminders of how life should be lived.

Presence:

There was a moment on the boat in which it was almost moved to tears and had to breathe to work through it. The wind in my hair, the sun on my face, and the jaw dropping sights all around. What caused the emotion? Was it everything the jungle was sharing with my senses? No.

What moved my emotions was the sense of awe I heard in the voices of everyone else on the boat. That moment and those like it will inspire and motivate me for years.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,315

Growth:

Regardless of whether I’m on vacation or not I’ll never regret getting a run in before breakfast. Our run this morning in the sun, heat, and humidity was a bit sticky and a ton awesome! So glad we carved out time and got my butt moving this morning.

Appreciation:

The peace and joy of realizing one is living into one’s purpose is indescribable. My heart is beyond full and bursting with joy.

Presence:

After breakfast my teammates and their spouses headed back to their rooms to prep for our upcoming excursion. Becky and I sat at the table and enjoyed the last of our coffee as we took in the morning. The radio played 7 Years by Lukas Graham and I caught myself completely entranced by the music and lyrics.

Soon, I’ll be 60 years old, my daddy got 61
Remember life and then your life becomes a better one
I made the man so happy when I wrote a letter once
I hope my children come and visit, once or twice a month

Lukas Graham – 7 Years

Becky left the table for a moment and I walked out to the dock. I gazed across the lagoon, past the mountains, and beyond.

I missed Dad, wished he were here to enjoy this moment, and smiled when I realized he was.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,314

Growth:

Being in a state of awe is amazing. Helping others be in a similar state fills the heart even more.

Appreciation:

What a reminder of how little we really need today has been. The experience of the real Belize reminds me of how little is needed to live a joyful life.

Presence:

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities to learn so much from different cultures. Each travel experience brings new awareness of so many different ways of viewing the world, so many new viewpoints, and the opportunity to see how similar we all are as a people in spite of all of our differences.

Being outside in the sun is amazing anytime, but even more so when it is in the middle of winter. Driving down the road in a golf cart feeling extra hot and sweaty in the sun and humidity today was borderline glorious!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,313

Growth:

Sometimes exhaustion is the muse I must listen to. After getting two hours of sleep and getting on the road at 1:30am today I was already zonked before we boarded our 6am flight out of Minneapolis. Sleep sounded amazing, but I felt like I had an itch I just needed to scratch. Next thing I knew there was only a half hour left of our three hour flight and I’d put together an entire outline of a what’s likely to be my next book, social media posts for the next week, and a bunch of other ideas all sketched out!

I was exhausted, but that may have been exactly what I needed today.

Appreciation:

Our second flight provided an opportunity to test myself and my personal growth from the past year. I would give myself s passing grade, but I’ve got a long way to go to get on the dean’s list 😉

I can choose to see frustration or an opportunity to test myself and grow. Today I chose growth.

Presence:

Last night Gavin reminded me of an extended moment of presence from our November trip to Iceland – the beauty of a six hour sunset on the flight home. We chased the sun and it finally lost us just before we landed. Six hours of beautiful orange sunset hanging for almost an eternity. What a memory!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,312

Growth:

Remember that this blog is an active action and not a compulsion. I do not have to it, each day I have the choice to make. Even on days like this when I’m going nonstop and need to go to bed I still choose the joy of gratitude.

Appreciation:

This blog is a tool to help me enjoy more of life by remembering to pause and appreciate all the blessings around me.

I’m thankful for all of the thousands of ways this practice has improved my life over the past seven plus years. Today was full of reminders of those blessings.

Presence:

This moment right here:

Both sons playing together at the same concert… awesome.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,311

Growth:

Funny how there are a handful of moments which can really define the day. Depending on which moment we choose to focus on our lens to view the day changes tremendously.

Choose to focus on the positive, be present and acknowledge the negative, but choose Growth, Appreciation, and Presence.

Appreciation:

I’m so thankful for a nudge I felt yesterday in a conversation. As I written about before, intentions are empty, actions are fulfilling. The conversation led me to take action and I’m thankful I did. The result was so much more positive than I’d expected.

Someone once taught me that God works through people. When we feel a nudge to do something kind we really should trust it and follow through.

Presence:

Yoga tonight was AWESOME!!! For real, one of the best practices I’ve ever experienced. The movement was steady and constant and required 100% presence. The actions were beautifully woven to breathing. The poses and movements between were a challenge but possible. Long story short- it was an ideal flow experience.

This was the lens I’ve chosen to view my day through. In 60 minutes everything became right in the world and my soul feels so much lighter. Ahh..,

Thanks!!!

Day 2,310

Growth:

Take a deep breath, pause, think, plan, and respond. When life gets crazy the best way to succeed is to take a deep breath and pause. Once the first wave of stress induced “time claustrophobia” passes take a moment to think. Build a plan and respond.

Today was bonkers, like taking batting practice with three pitching machines going at once with a combo of fastballs, curveballs, and change ups kind of bonkers. I lived, I laughed, I got it all done, and I may have even enjoyed myself.

Had I let emotions get the best of me I would’ve imploded. For sure, there was at least one moment in which a maniacal laugh erupted, but only for one soothing moment.

Appreciation:

Bliss can be found even in the midst of the storm, one must only choose to watch for it. Moments of talking with Becky. Moments of jokes with Dominic. Finding a way to sneak in a game or two with Gavin. A sense of purpose and accomplishment. Time to think about an upcoming project. Creating quiet space alone. Even in a whirlwind of chaos beauty and stillness can be found.

Presence:

After a challenging Dad moment today I voiced my frustration to Becky.

“It is a miracle Dad didn’t kick my butt when I was 17.”

This was overheard by Gavin. His immediate response was spot on.

“May I offer up a preemptive apology?”

😂😂😂

Thanks!!!

Day 2,309

Growth:

Preparing for something before it is needed is priceless. Too often I prepare after I should have been ready. What a difference it makes to train before we need to.

Appreciation:

It’s been a while since I’ve given myself an easy out by going with a list, but it really seems appropriate today. Here’s a snapshot of the gratitude:

• The most quiet wrestling tournament ever
• Learning through failure
• Losing tight matches that leave us more hungry
• Breathing and rolling with life
• Family going out of their way to watch other family’s events
• Choosing perspective
• Growth through adversity
• Remembering we always have a choice to make
• More game time with Becky & Dominic
• Going to bed exhausted

Presence:

Sometimes being present involves pausing for moments of introspection. I took a couple of those at opportune times and it made a positive impact.

Thanks!!!