Day 2,345

Growth:

Listening beyond the words being said is difficult but so insightful. I must remember to be 100% present, listen with the intent to learn, and be in a state of awareness. It is difficult to pull off all three at once, but when I can the results are extraordinary.

Appreciation:

How many friends will I have whom I’ve yet to meet? Each Express event I go to it seems I make a new friend. Usually they’re someone I know of but I’ve never actually met or had a conversation with. One thing leads to another and we start talking. Maybe at a table during a breakout session, maybe at lunch, or maybe as fellow presenters. I’m a very short period of time we find common bonds, common goals, common friends, and common values. Each event thereafter we’re bound to spend some time catching up.

This time it was a fellow outdoorsy dad who enjoys backpacking and hiking with his kids. Four days ago we really don’t know each other and now we’re trading vacation ideas and backpacking routes. Awesome!!!

Presence:

While it is not presence itself I’m grateful for something related to it. After all the travel and busyness of the past week I decided to go to bed early last night and slept in a little today. Taking time to sleep really helped me stay engaged and present today, more sleep is needed but the extra hours certainly got me back on track!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,344

Growth:

While an early flight leads to less sleep for one night it leads to more time at home with family. I’ll happily sacrifice a little sleep for a little extra family time.

The true wisdom is in getting bonus sleep a couple of nights before to have a sleep surplus. 😉

Appreciation:

Honestly, I’m still processing so much from Ernie Johnson’s speech yesterday. In doing so I’ve found so many blackberry moments throughout the day. So much extra love for my family, feeling it at a deeper level and more thankful for them than ever. I’m happy to be home, happy to be with Becky & my boys, and happy to crash in my own bed with a head full of bigger dreams and a heart beyond full.

Presence:

There’s something about empty airports that stirs both my soul and imagination. Early this morning I spent about thirty minutes wandering the almost unpopulated terminal of Reagan Airport with my headphones on. The lack of people is almost unsettling while also feeling so liberating. Love those little pockets of empty airport time!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,343

Growth:

Ernie Johnson Jr was our guest speaker today and my mind is still blown by his story. There short version is this:

• Actively search for and the joyful moments of life
• Every life has value
• Love
• Create joyful moments for others
• Follow your “nudges”
• Humility

Honestly, this may have been the most impactful speaker I’ve ever had the privilege of hearing. Certainly more to follow on this one in the future!

Appreciation:

A couple of days ago one of my classes talked about our “And Then” moments. Those are the parts of the story we tell that usually go like this…

So this happened and then this other positive thing happened.

What was interesting was that the “And Then” moments were almost always people who did someone thing special to help. Quite often the person didn’t even know how they were helping or how big of an impact they made. They just acted with love.

Over the past day I’ve had more time to reflect on many of my personal And Then’s and it’s reminding me of how important it is to both thank those who’ve created them as well as live in a way that I can help other create their And Then’s.

My heart is full as I think back with love for each of those people who’ve had such positive impacts on my life.

Presence:

Having an opportunity to see my teammates celebrate the success of all of their hard work was truly amazing tonight! Seeing their joy in going up on the big stage in front of a huge crowd was awesome and one of my favorite professional moments. Thank you to all of my teammates who’ve worked so hard to make last year one to remember.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,342

Growth:

We all are going to face difficult times. When we choose to share those experiences and to open up about them we are able to help others struggling with their own difficulties. By sharing we form bonds with other people and help them know they are not alone.

It is humbling to share our emotions, to expose our vulnerabilities, but someone else in the world needs to hear they are not alone.

Share openly, love unconditionally, and give kindness as others work through their struggles.

Appreciation:

Today was a stunning reminder of the power of teamwork. Mike tagged in with me to help present and I so grateful he did! Knowing we had each other to help through specific spots or to help us see the right path was awesome. The entire presentation was significantly better as a result of our teamwork.

Presence:

I’ve spoken about this in the past but it bears saying again. The level of presence while presenting to a large group is mind blowing. The hyper focus on remembering what to say while reading the faces of the audience while simultaneously adjusting the presentation to fit that feedback requires an intense level of presence. Such a wonderful rush!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,341

Growth:

Pre-COVID I had an insightful conversation with a fellow leader. They made a statement on leadership which has stuck with me.

“As a leader we have to push our people to the edge, past what they think is possible, close to edge of failure, and all the while love them, support them, and make sure they know we will catch them if they fall.”

Throughout the last week this conversation has been near the top of mind and I’m grateful for the words of insight.

Appreciation:

Being a part of something greater than ourselves is a beautiful thing. Allowing work to be done through us in the cause of something greater is more rewarding than just about anything. Today, for a handful of reasons, my heart is full for a few of those moments.

Presence:

Taking time to fill my bucket by enjoying silence in my room while writing my blog. What a glorious moment of presence it was this evening!

As someone once told me, if you would bf a river you must first be a reservoir.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,340

Growth:

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and make the most of whatever comes. That’s the mindset I’m going with tonight as the weather rolling in may make life a little interesting tomorrow!

Appreciation:

I remember past years of preparing for travel to our annual Leadership Conference. So much time spent picking the right CDs or recording miniDiscs (those were the best). I took so much time picking out clothes and packing. The entire preparation process was almost a full day!

Here I am, 20 years later and the process had been very much condensed. The biggest thing is remembering to take my dry cleaning in early enough. Get it all together relatively quickly, font worry about the extra stuff, and know it’ll all work out. So much easier.

This has started saving me so much more time than before. Thanks to all the years of practice I’m starting to get it all down and have more time to relax the night before rather than last second packing. Definitely a better place to be.

Presence:

Practicing a presentation is an interesting task. When I first start a new one I’m 100% present as I practice and shape it. After many iterations I can almost go on auto pilot. Today was at least the quarter century mark for this one. At one point I even caught my mind almost drifting while I practiced! As soon as I noticed it I stopped, restarted, and kept 100% focus… and that was about my best practice session yet.

While presenting to others I easily slip into a flow state and am kept there by the interactions with the audience. Alone it is easy to get a bit more loose. Today I enjoyed the practice with full presence as it really felt close to the real thing and was the most productive repetition.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,339

Growth:

We hardly understand what is going on inside of ourselves, why assume we know what is going on in others? So easy to guess and assume where people are coming from, but almost always we don’t understand the full picture.

Kreiling, remember to ask more questions, listen more intently, and don’t assume. Listen more, solve less.

Appreciation:

One of the defining moments of my life was a simple question asked by a friend at just the right time. Those few simple words are burned into my brain and helped me unlock the metaphorical prison cell I’d put my own mind into. The question was asked out of love, required the courage to possibly go into very uncomfortable areas, and was asked in such a way that it allowed me to open up.

To the mindset of growth I mentioned above, we never know the impact we may have on others. Act with love. Act with courage. Act with kindness. Act with compassion.

When we act with love we have a chance to help, when we don’t act because we’re afraid we miss an opportunity to help someone who needs it.

I’m so thankful for a question asked by a friend in a coffee shop many years ago, she changed the direction of my life in a profoundly positive way.

Presence:

Yoga tonight was amazing! My legs are still burning. Nothing like pushing your body further than you think it can go to focus your mind 100% in the present. All that existed was my breathing and the burning in my leg muscles – in a very good way.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,338

Growth:

There are tasks I really don’t enjoy doing. They don’t come naturally, they are draining, and I find them quite boring. It is so easy to find any possible distraction to allow me the opportunity to pass it off for another time. That’s where grit comes in. Suck it up, get it done, eat the vegetables. If I remember to choose the right mindset I can turn the mundane into an accomplishment.

Case in point was today. Gathering and preparing information for taxes? Gross. Not at all fun, not at all rewarding on the surface. That said, if I can will myself through this mind numbing task I will find a deep sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. I mastered myself and was able to fight off my inner voice that wanted to do something else, something fun.

Today I’m feeling very satisfied and accomplished. It’s all done, and that feels wonderful. Not gonna lie, it feels even better knowing I won’t have to do it again for a year! 😂

Appreciation:

While the project of pulling a ton of info for taxes and whatnot wasn’t fun it was quite the time capsule of the past year. So many moments that I’ll always remember but won’t always float to the surface on their own. Pausing for a moment to think back to each was a but therapeutic, especially during a task I often find unpleasant. What a nice surprise to find a hidden pocket of joy amongst all the detail work I normally dread!

Presence:

There’s a weird sense of peace and presence to be found waiting in the parking lot of a school waiting for the boys to be done with practice. So easy to waste it on my phone looking up the news and whatnot. Much better used to pause, reflect, gather my thoughts, and blog. Heck, given enough time I’ve even had the opportunity to recline a bit, close my eyes, and focus on breathing. Here’s to bonus time to be found in the chaos!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,337

Growth:

Keep my eyes open. Though I’ve spent much time in certain areas there is always so much more to discover.

While walking LuLu today, Gavin and I found a trail that we’d never noticed before and it was awesome! So much new to see in an area I thought I knew almost completely. So much more to see.

Appreciation:

Being out in front of a crowd takes courage. Standing up and knowing all eyes are on you is not for the weak of heart. In that moment you are putting yourself out there.

Gavin performed a solo today at their band event and did really well. Dominic did the same a handful of years ago also.

I’m grateful both of the boys are open to putting themselves out there, to try their best, to put in the work needed to be prepared, and to be confident in those moments.

Presence:

Taking a walk on the new trail we found was pretty epic. Gavin and I saw about a dozen eagles as we walked within eyesight of the Black River. At the end of the trail we crunched across what appeared to be yellowed old tall grass and then realized it was covering the ice below it. We paused to soak in the sight of an eagle atop a dead tree and to inspect what we deemed the “Hydra Tree.”

Time alone outdoors is one of my happiest places. Being there to enjoy it with family was total bliss.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,336

Growth:

Pause, listen, think, and then respond. What a difference it makes to take my time and spend time in thought prior to making a decision.

Throughout much of my life I’ve benefited from making a call using instincts and my gut. The older I get the more I remember to consider the amount of time I have before I need to make a decision. Use all the time allowed to think it through and then respond.

Appreciation:

Living vicariously through the boys has me smiling and laughing for so many reasons. They had their high school dance tonight and the entire night has been very entertaining. From changing their plans a half dozen times to eating out to the same pre high school dance conversations that have been happening for at least three decades to hearing the stories from their nights to the now “after party” of one of their friends sleeping over it’s been a blast! So glad they had such an awesome night and that I got to experience bits and pieces of it.

Presence:

Sitting on the couch in an empty house petting LuLu with the sound of silence surrounding me. After the past few weeks that moment was very calming and soothing. No work, no stress, no obligation, no distraction, just straight up chill time.

Thanks!!!