Day 2,335

Growth:

There is so much out of our control. What situations arise, how rankings work, and the like. Those moments come and present us with the one choice we truly have control over – “how will I respond to this?”

The most difficult of challenges provide us the greatest opportunity to grow. The most mundane and minimal frustrations provide us an opportunity to practice.

When I choose to see it as practice of as growth my mindset shifts so quickly to where I would like it to be all the time.

Appreciation:

While riding my bike trainer this morning I started watching a Netflix documentary on Whakaari, the volcano in New Zealand which erupted in December of 2019. We travelled to the volcano in 2017 on our family trip and were all enthralled by the beauty and raw power of that place of spiritual importance to the Māori. Our trip was one of dream, truly awesome at so many levels, one of our favorite excursions ever.

Unfortunately it was the worst of nightmares for many in 2019. As luck would have it we were on a family trip in Australia when the eruption occurred. Dominic was the first to figure out that if was Whakaari on the news while we were prepping for supper. Such a surreal moment seeing all that transpired that day.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to tour the White Island and I’m even more thankful for leaving it safely.

Presence:

Usually I focus on positive moments of presence, but today I’m going with a difficult one. Out of left field we got some bad news about one of our clients, they ran into an issue that’s causing them to slow way down. Very quickly my attention focused on the moment, each breath, and I listened attentively to each word spoken.

I quickly saw this as a test. Would I get frustrated or feel bad for the negative impact to our business or would I set that aside and do my best to live into our purpose and to find a way to brighten their life in a dark moment. I’m grateful for the practice that helped me pass.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,334

Growth:

Note to My Future Self : The day is neither good nor bad, nor is our view of the day a singular choice. Moment by moment and second by second we each have the opportunity to choose our mindset and the context of the day. So something frustrated you early, why continue to carry its weight all day long. You must merely shrug, change your mindset, and live into the next moment. Enjoy the present and leave it unstained by the moment before it.

Appreciation:

Sometimes life throws us curveballs and we have to figure out how to deal with them. I’m super grateful for the way Dominic is dealing with a big one he was tossed earlier this week.

While snowboarding on Monday Dominic was midair and noticed a skier near where he was going to land. Dominic landed, caught the edge hard to stop and hit the ice face first resulting in a concussion.

At his doc appointment today he was told he should probably not race in the WI State Snowboarding meet on Saturday and Dominic not only agreed but made the decision that he’d rather be safe and avoid the potential of increased injury.

Making a decision like that is difficult in some ways. It is his senior year. It would have been his last competitive high school snowboarding event. It would have been an opportunity to hit a goal he’d set for himself earlier in the year. That’s a lot of temptation for a 17 year old.

Rather, Dominic decided to give himself the right amount of time to heal, to avoid the added risk, and to look ahead to so many other and bigger goals he has set for himself. In that way his decision was a very simple one.

Tonight I’m grateful for how he thought this all through, for the logic he used, and his use of reason over emotion. Super proud of you for making the right call Dominic! Bummer to miss this last race, but nice to know you’ll have more opportunities to do so many other things you want to accomplish!

Presence:

This morning started off a bit bumpy. At one point I was pretty frustrated so I figured some music would help me chill a bit. I hit Shuffle for any of the several thousand songs on my iPhone to randomly be selected. The first song was perfect!

“When life flips you a Jeffrey, stroke the furry walls, stroke the furry walls.”

A song off one of my favorite comedies, Get Him to the Greek, started playing and left me smiling.

I don’t think I could’ve found a better and more fitting song had I tried. Thank you iPhone for knowing me better than I do!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,333

Growth:

Maybe start by reading my Appreciation section first and then come back to this.

I am thankful for the reminder of how powerful our choice of attitude can be, the power of one smile. a

As we live our lives we have an opportunity to choose our mindset each moment of each day. That choice goes well beyond impacting only ourselves, it has the ability to influence the choice others make in that same moment. Our choice is for us, but is also helpful for others.

Smile often, smile in the face of adversity, smile for yourself, and smile for others.

Appreciation:

My drive from the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce was a rainy one. The cold February rain drops were fat and falling heavy. I swear I could feel their chill from inside my car.

Just as I rounded a corner to work up a hill a man carrying grocery bags appeared on the sidewalk to my left. He was wearing a flat cap hat, rain covered glasses, and a dripping overcoat and was carrying two big grocery bags in each hand.

He was smiling. He wore a smile so large that I felt my lips curl up in my own grin. There wasn’t anything in the world that was going to take the smile off of his face or the bounce out of his step, not even death itself was going to phase him.

Here was someone who was finding the joy in being alive regardless of what the weather was around him. Throughout the day his smile reminded me to find the joy in any situation.

How blessed I was to see him and to draw inspiration from the warmth of his smile.

Presence:

There was an awesome cloud formation around the newly risen sun this morning. The light was bouncing off it in such a way that there was almost a prismatic brilliance in the clouds near the sun. It wasn’t all the clouds, just a specific formation that must have been lower than the rest. So awesome to stare at this morning!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,332

Growth:

Life hands us situations and it is up to us to give them context. Was it good? Was it bad? The situation is neither, only our mindsets can apply our personal contact to it.

Which way we see it is a choice we must make.

Happiness is wanting what we have, not having what we want.

Appreciation:

I’m grateful for practicing practice. Nope, not a typing error, you read it correctly. I’m grateful for practicing practice.

Each day when I start with my purpose, values, & goals I start watching for what I’m appreciative of. At the end of each day my bill comes due and I must come up with my daily payment. In taking time to practice gratitude each day I’m practicing my practice and am slowly improving.

Today I had the opportunity to test gear I’ve learned did I did okay. Not perfect, not great, but better than had I not been practicing.

Presence:

On my drive to Eau Claire I paused my audiobook for a bit and enjoyed some good tunes. While paying more attention to the scenery than usual I happened to notice a small hill in between two little valleys with a beautiful tree atop it. A perfect winter outdoors scene that I’d never noticed before, tucked away off the road just a bit.

Somehow I’ve never happened to see it when passing it so many times over the past decade and change. How many other perfect little scenes will I discover if I keep my eyes open for them?

Thanks!!!

Day 2,331

Growth:

It is so easy to want more and to set targets for happiness. When I DO this I will be happy. When I HAVE this I will be happy.

Happiness is all around us all the time, we can choose it anytime through gratitude.

Appreciation:

With all the goings ons of the Kreilings as of late I’m grateful for finding moments to connect, no matter how brief. In some ways the limited time helps me to be even more present in those interactions. Case in point, between walking LuLu and grocery shopping the time with Becky was full of conversation. There may be a few more crazy weeks ahead but we’ll keep finding pockets of connection throughout.

Presence:

This may seem a bit crazy but while grocery shopping there was a person who’s Joy was absolutely radiating from them. They had a liquid filled glass bowl with a brightly colored rose inside in their hands. As they inspected the bauble their smile shined bright. The state of awe they were experiencing was contagious and I caught myself smiling the rest of the shopping trip.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,330

Growth:

Due to a very unlikely set of circumstances Gavin was wrestling varsity at regionals today. As one would expect from a freshman who just started the sport less than four months ago he went 0-2.

In spite of defeat Gavin, uber competitive Gavin, was smiling the entire time afterwards!

He knew he gave his all and his all just wasn’t up to the all his competitors had to give. He saw it as an opportunity to grow, welcomed the ridiculous odds, and learned from both matches. Gavin was almost glowing as he recounted almost getting a cradle in on one of the competitors.

He is also looking forward to seeing how he matches up with them next year after he gets more time to practice. No frustration, no disappointment, only realization that he can compete with more experience and the drive to work harder in the offseason.

What a great inspiration for me to remember!

Appreciation:

Gavin really stepped it up as a leader tonight at Scouts and it was fun to see just how much that crazy kid has grown! From taking the lead on various chores, leading by example, and helping other Scouts I’m thankful for the opportunity to see his leadership skills firsthand today. Great work dude!

Presence:

Laying in a quiet tent in nature during the winter as I blog. The Scouts will be heading out to their shelter shortly and I’m sure they’ll be a bit loud so I’m just enjoying thx peace while it is here. Calm, chill (literally), and exactly where I should be tonight.

Thanks!!!

PS: So much for the silence 😂

Day 2,329

Growth:

How easy it is to crave more rather than focus on what I really want to accomplish. If a little is good more must be better, right? No!

I need to remember to pause and run new opportunities through the filter of my purpose. My ego is often what wants more, but that’s not always what my soul wants.

Pause, consider the opportunity, and choose to live into purpose.

Appreciation:

So many options for this one today!!! Maybe the best way to be inclusive of most the ideas is this. I’m grateful for the way the universe always seems to know what we need – both delightful and challenging moments and events.

My day has included surprise packages, new opportunities, wonderful emails, excellent insights, opportunities to grow, chances to test my patience, ways to share my passions, time to think, space to breathe, humbling times, reconnecting of friendships, and the opportunity to laugh at the challenges. It has been so full it almost feels like The Big Dude Upstairs knew exactly what I needed today!

Presence:

My morning runs with Becky are much more than just a workout. It is our space to pause the rest of the world and only focus on communicating with each other. There are no screens, no deadlines, and no one else around. This morning as we had a short break in our conversation I realized how much I appreciate that quiet time the two of us share. What a gift to have an opportunity for presence with each other to start off the day!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,328

Growth:

The mental debrief immediately after an event is powerful. Going back through the mental notes made while speaking to get them down and start revising for the next time while it’s all fresh in the brain is the best timing. I’ll take it all with a grain of salt and wait to make any major changes prior to seeing the reviews, but this is a great start.

Appreciation:

I am so grateful for the willingness of others to share their story. When we put ourselves out there it can be daunting and nerve wracking, but so often it is an opportunity to help others. It takes courage to open up and share and many showed that strength tonight. What an inspiration to keep brightening lives through sharing experiences!

Presence:

Our session tonight was a wonderful group of people. So many inspiring stories, great insights from each other, and a ton of positive energy and love while sharing. Times like this are so easy to get lost in the moment with. What a blessing to have this opportunity with awesome people tonight!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,327

Growth:

So much progress is made when we are still with our thoughts. Taking time to pause and reflect each day in my blog offers me time to process the events of the day, to put context to them, and to file them away for future use. Today I learned how some of those thoughts really grow and flourish in the background and when it is time for them to reemerge they’re like caterpillars changed into butterflies.

More stillness, more thought, less distraction, less hurry, better growth.

Appreciation:

Over the course of the day there were a couple of conversations brought to me about books – one of my favorite topics! Not gonna lie, it was pretty awesome being on the receiving end of book recommendations. Got one in hand and another couple in mind to take on soon. Love, love, love sharing book lists like today!

Presence:

Funny how specific moments can be so deeply embedded in memory. There were a couple of different vacation moments I thought of today and each was so vivid in my mind. I took a moment for each to close my eyes and bask in the moment again. what a blessing to do a mini time travel because of the presence in the moment when it happened.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,326

Growth:

Remember to recognize the positives, not just the negatives. More often than I care to admit I focus too much on the downside rather than the upside.

I’m also grateful for teammates who are willing to remind of this when I’m guilty of it. 👍

Appreciation:

Last year I was enthralled by the second book of the Ender series by Orson Scott Card. The most recent book I’ve finished was the next in that series and I loved it! I’m really grooving on the combo of sci fi, philosophy, and the depth of characters. So psyched for another three books in the series!

Presence:

On a similar note from yesterday I’m grateful for finding pockets of time with my sons. With all the directions we’ve been going in lately it was awesome to squeeze in some father son time with both boys over a gourmet meal of Jersey Mike’s Subs. Nothing crazy, lots of joking around, gotta love those moments!

Thanks!!!