Day 2,812

Growth:

Things roll so much easier once I get into a flow state. Today I learned another trick about how to get into that headspace. I knocked out everything else that had to be done, closed my eyes for a few minutes, focused on my breath, moved everything unrelated off my desk, and went to work. Next thing I knew an hour and a half had blown by and I’d made more progress than expected.

Appreciation:

I’m getting soooo excited for my trip to the Porcupine Mountains in a few weeks for my backpacking trip for a pile of reasons. Over the past couple of days I’ve started getting everything all prepped and checked so I know I’ve got what I need for a successful hike. As I get it all put together I can’t help but get more and more pumped to get outside, to backpack, and to enjoy the beauty of the Upper Peninsula! Nothing like the anticipation of something awesome to put a little bonus spring in the step.

Presence:

After supper we headed out on the boat and had an awesome time as a family. We enjoyed a relatively quiet river, chilled on a sandbar while LuLu swam and chewed on logs, and had fun joking and talking. After all the craziness of the past couple of weeks this time outside as a family felt amazing. I soaked up every moment of it.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,811

Growth:

Days are better when they start outside! This morning I threw on my pack and knocked out a sweet little hike in Hixon and it set the pace for the entire day. Everything just makes more sense in the woods.

Appreciation:

A large colony of bright yellow fungus lay at the base of a dead tree.

The sounds of over 20 different bird species were picked up on my phone using the free Merlin app.

The stand of pines was even more inviting and welcoming than in the past.

The deer out for a morning walk and breakfast.

The squirrels playing in a hollow dead tree.

The beauty of nature all around, warming my soul like a comfortable and well worn sweatshirt. So thankful for starting my day that way!

Presence:

I heard a little noise while hiking and paused for a better listen. Within seconds a deer started walking out through the field to my right and never noticed me. I just sat back and enjoyed watching the deer eat its breakfast as it slowly meandered away.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,810

Growth:

Listen, write down my thoughts as questions, think, and then ask questions rather than assume. Funny how much more progress is made when asking questions rather than sharing advice. A carefully crafted question asked at the right moment is more effective than almost any statement ever could be.

Appreciation:

This morning I had to cruise into the restaurant nearby to discuss a building issue and I had the incredibly fortunate luck to run into an old friend of mine! Out of nowhere she appeared and we had a huge hug, shot the bull, and caught up on the vacation plans she and her husband have set. It was awesome!!! Wonderfully divine timing, such a gift! While we didn’t have a ton of time to talk it was so wonderful pausing to re-connect in person, to share a smile, to hug, and to share a moment. So thankful for the timing today!

Presence:

Blogging about presence is a total slam dunk when we have Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga. Spending time outside, in nature, on the water, while getting exercise, and relaxing my brain is pure medicine for my soul. The moment that really sticks out is when I was staring straight up in the sky watching a line of clouds slowly stretch and change shape while listening to the birds singing all around me as I peacefully rocked in the little waves of the lake. Awesomeness!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,809

Growth:

One last one from the series finale of Ted Lasso for so many beautiful reasons:

Human beings are never gonna be perfect, Roy. The best we can do is to keep asking for help and accepting it when you can. And if you keep on doing that, you’ll always be moving towards better.

– Higgins, Ted Lasso

Appreciation:

So much to be grateful for today for a variety of reasons:

• Help from a friend to get closer to completing a project
• Strong teammates who help support each other and bring out our best together
• That person with an awesomely positive and energetic attitude in the morning
• Watching the lash episode of a series together as a family
• Quiet time to reflect
• …and so many others

Presence:

On my drive home from Eau Claire I stumbled upon two songs from back in the day that were a couple that hit particularly close to home from one of the most transformative periods of my life. I rolled down the windows, turned up the stereo, and took in the music, the memories, and the realization of just how much I grew during that time.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,808

Growth:

Sometimes experiences must be re-done as a wonderful reminder of what was actually learned in the first place. Today I had the opportunity to work with a new teammate on the basics of the sales process for Express and it was one of the more rewarding days I’ve had in my career recently. It was almost a nonstop afternoon of flow state as we went from business to business having conversations and then walking back through them in the car to pause to learn. By having to take someone through the process of learning what I’ve lived over the past twenty years reminded me of just how much I’ve picked up over the years.

Appreciation:

Early bed times are the best once in a while! Tonight is one of those nights and I am soooooo amped up for a great night of slumber. After the craziness and fullness of life over the past few weeks this will feel amazing!!!

Presence:

The sound of birds singing in the morning is so calming, especially on my early morning runs with Becky. This morning they were particularly talkative and there were a few new birdsongs added to the mix. Hearing nature singing away puts my head in the right space, such a gift early in the morning.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,807

Growth:

So many similarities between all major life events – graduations, weddings, and even funerals. Celebrations of individuals shared by many others, all offering a common bond of shared humanity. Time to connect, to share, to hug, to love, and to create new moments while celebrating old memories. No wonder we all flock to events like this, they help re-center us on appreciating the humanity within us all.

Appreciation:

I cannot even being to thank everyone who helped to make Dominic’s graduation party as successful as it was enough. There were so many who helped out, replenished food, ran out to buy more water, helped to set up, stuck around for help, and provided an incredible amount of support throughout the entire weekend. I am so thankful for each and every person who helped create a wonderful graduation party for Dominic – it wouldn’t have been the same without you! Earlier this evening I was moved to tears as I considered all the ways everyone helped out and pitched in, truly overwhelming and so greatly appreciated!

Presence:

So many interactions with so many throughout the party and the day – each was a gift in its own way. Hugs all around, so much love and support, to many moments which be kept in mind for years to come. Huge thank you’s to everyone who helped to make this such a magical and memorable day!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,806

Growth:

There is a considerable difference between being focused on having fun and being focused on winning. Dominic proved firsthand how a focus on fun (or enjoyment or play or self improvement – call it what you will) truly leads to a greater awareness and satisfaction than a focus on winning.

He saw his 800m race today as play, a reward for a year of hard work, and decided to treat it as such. In doing so he ran the fastest 800 of his life. What an awesome life lesson!

Appreciation:

Tonight I’m going to leave this spot a little bit short as I am still processing it completely. Dominic’s high school sports career is now officially complete as is his high school education. He now moves on to the next chapter of life. I’m so proud of him and grateful for so many memories…. And let’s leave it at that for this evening as I’m not 100% ready for this change. And that’s what I’m most grateful for today.

Presence:

Watching someone perform their best in the right moment with a smile is awesome. Enjoying Dominic’s 800m run today was 1:58.90 of pure presence and as memory that will keep me smiling the rest of my life.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,805

Growth:

The power of grit… passion and perseverance for a long term goal. Dominic and his teammates have put in countless hours and miles in the offseason in relentless pursuit of one common goal, podium finish at the State Track Meet. They out in a tremendous amount of work over the past year (or three depending on how you look at it). Today they achieved that goal and then some!

So proud of these young men and the work they’ve put in together!

Appreciation:

We knew there would be two races today for Dominic (& one for Gavin as an alternate). Depending on how it went we would have at least one and possibly two tomorrow. Dominic and his teammates earned a bonus race. I’m grateful for the opportunity they earned today, one more bonus race to leave every ounce of effort on the track, one more bonus race to savor the results of all their hard work and grit.

Presence:

This moment, right here 😁👍

Thanks!!!

Day 2,804

Growth:

Small things can cause quite the large amount of chaos. Today I was reminded of that firsthand by the squirrel who decided to knock out one third of the power coming into our building.

What are the “squirrels” I set loose for my teammates? What are the things which seem small and insignificant that cause exponentially greater troubles than intended?

Appreciation:

Gotta love the wisdom that comes from Ted Lasso. This one hit me deep and is one I want to remember.

“I hope either all of us or none of us are judged by the actions of our weakest moments, but rather the strength we show when and if we’re given a second chance”

Ted Lasso

Amen to that for so many reasons.

Presence:

Dinner as a family out on the deck was fantastic today. No stress, no agenda, no timeline, only conversation together. These opportunities are slowly coming up an end as we’ve known them, I’m grateful for pausing the world outside of family to enjoy our time together.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,803

Growth:

So much research showing the wildly positive impacts of spending more time outdoors! Why don’t I heed that wisdom more often and create more outside time? I may be outside often but I should be there even more.

Appreciation:

Tonight I had an awesome learning experience in the power of excellent customer service. Our financial advisor organized an epic evening out for a handful of clients and deepened many relationships. While I was largely focused on enjoying the event I was also paying attention to how they pulled it off so well in order to replicate it in the future.

Presence:

Training in someone who’s 100% bought in and dedicated is awesome and supremely motivating! One of our new teammates finished up online training and will be in office next week. To wrap up his online training he gave a 20 minute presentation on what we the key takeaways and he CRUSHED it!!! So much fun and so easy to be in the moment when someone else is so bought in like that!

Thanks!!!