Day 2,366

Growth:

The joy of living into one’s purpose is incredible. Forget money, fame, and fortune – focus on brightening the world one person at a time. What greater joy is there than that?

Appreciation:

The older I get the more satisfaction I feel when reading or hearing something that really stretches my brain and makes me feel uncomfortable through challenging my beliefs. I’m currently reading The Shack and it is forcing my brain to think through different beliefs. As I work through some I can feel my beliefs shift a little. Others I work through help me feel more comfortable with my preexisting beliefs. Regardless, the struggle itself, the testing of beliefs, is such a rewarding experience.

Presence:

The weather today was so wonderful, a perfect start to Spring! Rather than stay in the office all day I went out for a nice walk over lunch. The cool breeze balanced with the warm sunshine felt incredible! Rather than an audiobook I had some chill music playing and enjoyed the relaxing think time. Ahh…. Bring on the nice weather!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,365

Growth:

Sometimes we have to remove something we’ve taken for granted to fully appreciate it. Today I am more thankful for running water than I have been in a very long time.

When we got home from church we realized we had an urgent issue. There was no water coming out of our faucets. After some quick investigative work and a visit from my buddy Todd we realized it was our well pump. Approximately seven hours and three Menards runs later we’ve got water again.

Funny how quickly I was grateful for water after it was eliminated for a while!

Appreciation:

As a kid I had the opportunity to learn so much about home improvement from Dad. Later in life I started to realize how fortunate I am to have had those experiences. Today was another perfect example. The well pump burns out ABC I need to do a combo of plumbing and electrical work. No worries! Go back to the lessons I’ve learned, hop online for a tutorial video, and next thing know I’ve installed a well pump. So thankful for that hands on experience!

Presence:

During one of my three trips to Menards today I heard Mambo No. 5 by Lou Bega. In an instant I was teleported back to October of 1999 when I was dancing with a ridiculously cute blonde girl I’d just met about 24 hours earlier. She was awesome in so many ways and by the end of that night I’d tell my parents I’d met the woman I would marry. Almost a quarter century later I still think of that night, the night I asked Becky out on a date, each and every single time I hear Mambo No. 5.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,364

Growth:

Squeezed every ounce out of today, going to bed with a short blog and am 100% okay with that. Last night’s blog went deep, today’s life went deep.

Appreciation:

So thankful for strong relationships built over many years. Here’s to putting in the difficult work needed to give them strength.

Presence:

Another blog, another post about being outside. So many eagles by the river, so many birds migrating through. Total chill and presence in the splendor of nature.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,363

Growth:

It is so easy to say yes, but so important to sometimes know when to say no. Today I said no and was greatly rewarded. So much additional calm, so much additional joy. What a fine balance to find. Today was right, other times I was wrong. Remembering to pause, to think, to have awareness – there is the magic.

Appreciation:

Tonight I’m grateful for the exercise of pausing to blog. Taking time each night to pause and review the day, my thoughts, my actions, and my choices helps me see myself more clearly.

The distance of the gap between who I am and who I am called to be is brought sharply into focus. This can be disheartening if I so choose, or it can be inspiring as I’ve made forward progress, regardless of how small. If I can see the gap I can start to close the distance. How wonderful!

This time of peace provides an opportunity for awareness – in the moment it happened AND in the moment I’m processing the moment. It is a time to review myself, to grade myself, and to find opportunities for both growth and celebration.

These moments also involve practice of giving myself grace. Realizing I’ve made mistakes, knowing I can choose to grow, and knowing that it is okay to not be perfect. I’ll never be perfect yet I should be eternally pursuing perfection with vigor and zeal in spite of knowing I’m chasing a destination which will never be reached in life.

So much time for thought, for growth. A moment if magic each night. An opportunity to grow towards becoming whole. I’m so appreciative for this practice.

Presence:

One of the key points in Awareness by de Mello is taking time to observe yourself, your thoughts, and your actions as a third party. No judgment, no change, no fixing, only listening and watching. So much can be learned about ourselves in those moments. Several of those moments today. Moments of presence, but a different depth of presence. What a gift!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,362

Growth:

Once again I’m reminded of the importance of building slack into a schedule. As my week has been a bit more interesting than expected I find myself with a monstrously large task list. Fortunately I’ve stuck with my plan of building slack into my week for occasions like this.

The plan is always to have extra time to get ahead on another project but more often than not it’s used as the stop gap to get everything done. Sooooooooo glad I added it in this week!!!

Appreciation:

Many years ago Dad and I had a conversation about the struggle to find the right between being a dad and being a friend. So easy to slip too far one way or the other, so easy to forget the fulcrum shifts from being almost entirely on the dad side to slowly closing in on the halfway point during adulthood. When Dad shared his thoughts he helped me see s couple examples of bring out of balance in either direction and it stuck.

I still need to better find the balance, but I’m better than I would have been without his coaching to help me start.

Presence:

Time in the woods, what a gift, even if just for a short time. LuLu and I were able to sneak her walk in after work and in between rainfalls. The time in the woods is more therapeutic than almost anything. The perfect place to recharge!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,361

Growth:

Sometimes we need to shift direction and go with whatever direction life takes us. There’s an interesting dichotomy to recognize – we can’t afford to waste our life drifting along wherever it takes us but we also need to let go and roll with whatever life throws us. Maybe wisdom lies in discerning the difference?

Today I realized early it was time to pull up the anchor and roll with each wave without regard to where it was going. Honestly, it has been a largely positive and rewarding day in spite of a couple of unexpected twists and a large challenge. Had I fought to force the day to go where I wanted I’d feel crushed and defeated. Instead I feel confident, optimistic, and satisfied.

Tomorrow looks to be a day in which focus will help me re-gain any losses and move further ahead… but we will see what it actually brings and make the most of it.

Appreciation:

So blessed to have so many of the right, positive, and supportive people around me all day and in seemingly just the right spots. From family to teammates to auto service people to teachers to friends to an entire team of awesomely positive Jimmy John’s workers I almost couldn’t avoid someone lifting me up when I faltered. I am beyond grateful for all of the perfectly timed smiles, the caring words, and the positivity.

So many people helped make today a great day. It was off kilter and off the rails since I woke up. I was basically busy from 5am until 8pm and by all tights I should be a mess. Instead – thanks to all those who brightened my day – I wrapped up my night in a wonderful conversation with my oldest son and was 100% present with him. What a gift!!!

To each and every single person who brightened my life and gave me strength and joy today – thank you, thank you, thank you.

Presence:

So many moments I’m grateful for today, but I’m most appreciative for this moment right now. In this moment taking time to realize how blessed I have been today, what a wonderful moment. So thankful for taking time to intentionally choose appreciation. My heart is full.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,360

Growth:

Happiness is already ours, it is our natural state. It is our lack of appreciation that gets in the way. If we pause, appreciate the present moment, and are thankful for the breath we are taking there is joy. We need only remember appreciation.

Appreciation:

Even though my car’s thermometer read -8 (f) I couldn’t help but utilize one of my favorite hacks. I love being outdoors. There’s little better in life than fresh air. Rather than be “inside” my car I turned up the heat and opened my moon roof. It was glorious!!!

A frosty sunrise AND some fresh air? AMAZING start to the day!!!

Nothing like getting fresh air and feeling like I was outside while actually being. This morning reminded me of why I hope to only own vehicles with moonroofs moving forward.

Presence:

That frosty sunrise I mentioned in the last section? So picturesque! The drive to Eau Claire this morning was amplified by both the timing of the sunrise and the sudden drop in temperature. The air was so clear and still. There was a layer of frost on all the trees and plants from the mist rising from the unfrozen stream. Throw in some wildly vibrant first rays of sunshine and it was EPIC!!!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,359

Growth:

Remember to pause and breathe rather than react. This morning I had a wonderful non-work related opportunity to remember this rather than taking action in the heat of emotion. While I could certainly justify the reason for my frustration and potential action it is better put on hold for a day or two, put into a more structured format, and then act swiftly with logic rather than emotion.

I can’t remember where I saw the quote recently, but it’s really grown on me. It was something along the lines of we can always say something but we can’t unsay something. Better to think it through first.

Appreciation:

Very proud papa moment today! Both of the boys were elected their peers to their track team’s advisory council for their respective classes. Pretty cool to see them both continuing to grow as leaders, what an awesome extra set of responsibilities they will be soaking up over the next few months.

Presence:

Ahh… another Monday blog post, another yoga mention! Tonight’s class was fantastic for a slightly different reason. For some reason it took me a long time to get settled in and in the flow for the practice. Starting in child’s pose was brutal, my feet kept cramping, I couldn’t sit still, and my brain was going way to fast. It was rough! After a while and a great deal of focusing on my breathing I was slowly able to get my brain back in the right place for yoga and proceeded to sweat my butt off in a very good way. During final rest I found that I was so relaxed that I caught myself dreaming before it was over.

Nothing like a good sweat and some focused breathing to get back into the present moment and relaxed!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,358

Growth:

There were a few lessons / reminders I am thankful for today.

• Beware of ego, it can slowly creep in when we least expect it
• Get outside, life is more joyful when spent in nature
• Enjoy the little moments, the rides to Menards with either of the boys
• Life is so much more satisfying when we say yes
• Remember that I’ll never know the perspective and intentions of others

Appreciation:

The workshop is such a happy place for me. I love creating in it, working with wood, and taking ideas out of the aether and creating reality of them. So rewarding and fulfilling.

Sharing my workshop is a blessing in so many other ways. Time bonding with my sons while teaching them skills learned from my dad. Allowing others to use my shop and offering an opportunity to spark a new passion for them. There’s something deeply satisfying about sharing time with others in my workshop, so fortunate for the opportunity to do so.

Presence:

Walking LuLu through the almost untouched snow in the woods was awesome. In some spots we left the only set of footprints and in the rest of the trails there were only mine, Becky’s, and one other person’s.

So many bald eagles all around, they are talking much of the time. A pair of trumpeter swans also flew over. The entire scene was so peaceful and serene. What a soul warming walk in the woods.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,357

Growth:

How often do I let fear or anxiety or worry get the better of me? Climbing today was a bit of a rocky start as my nerves were not big fans of being up high. It took a lot of work and convincing to get that inner voice of fear to shut up. Once I did I had a blast!

Fear, you are no friend of mine. When we run into each other next time I will be sure to see through you more quickly.

Appreciation:

Nothing quite like a family adventure day! After Becky and I hit our yoga date and the boys completed their long track workout we all loaded up and drove to Rochester. A while back we’d won some day passes to the climbing wall and decided it was time to cash them in.

What a blast!!! We had so much fun climbing up the crazy walls! It was an experience we’ll definitely remember. Nothing quite like knocking out an adventure based activity as a family on a Saturday.

Presence:

For reals, the split second of jumping off the wall before the auto belay catches you. Wowza!!! talk about being so present in a moment that the split second feels like an eternity.

Thanks!!!