Day 2,843

Growth:

Within conversations about seemingly random topics there can be wonderful ideas which emerge. This morning a conversation about building maintenance led to one of the most insightful values based realizations in a very long time. I jotted the notes on my whiteboard and in my notebook and my brain has been going back to them often. More to follow in the future on this for sure, but for now the important point is remembering to stay present and engaged in all conversations, you never know when beautiful ideas will connect!

Appreciation:

What a day! There were so many moments I am grateful for today. Most of these were conversations with teammates on topics ranging from the personal to long term strategy to tactical plans to good old fashioned joking around. Many conversations, even more smiles, transparency and honesty, growth, learning, and focuses on values.

At yoga this evening the sticker on the floor to show where to put my mat had a beautiful phrase on it:

Make a ripple.

As I reflect on the day I keep going back to that phrase. I made ripples and took in the ripples of others. What a full and purposeful day!

Presence:

Ahh…. Yoga!!! It’s been a hot minute since I last set foot in the yoga studio due to a variety of reasons, it felt AMAZING to get back into that ridiculously hot and humid room with Becky and a handful of other yogis to push and twist and stretch ourselves for an hour. For those who may question how strenuous yoga can be let me share this – I burn almost as many calories in an hour of yoga as I do on a 4 mile run.

The moment of presence which jumps out to me is during Final Rest. Nick, our instructor, showed us how to use a block in the back of our neck to stretch our neck and Vegas nerve. As I did so I closed my eyes and then, as usual, paid attention to the colors behind my eyelids. A warm and vibrant red and orange hue was all I could see with my eyes closed. When we removed the block and laid our heads flat on the mat the colors instantly change to vibrant purples and blue greens. It was beautiful and so chill!!! I have no idea what that was, but it was so peaceful and pleasant. A perfect moment of serenity.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,842

Growth:

If I’m ever feeling bored I must remember that I have chosen boredom over satisfaction. As I realized today, I can choose to be as actively engaged in something at anytime (even relaxing) rather than feeling like I am bored. There wasn’t a plan for the day, I was home alone, and there wasn’t a single moment in which boredom could seep in. I chose to be engaged, something to remember when I catch myself feeling like there’s nothing to do.

Appreciation:

It’s not often that Gavin and I sit around and watch TV, but tonight we decided to watch the USA v Canada soccer match tonight. For whatever reason it just sounded like a good idea and I’m glad we fired it up. There’s still 10 minutes left and it’s tied at 0-0, fingers crossed for a W for the US side. I do know there’s at least one winner tonight – I’m spending time shooting the bull with Gavin!

Presence:

Even though I had a lot that I wanted to get done today I had to pause and give LuLu some love for a while this afternoon. The handful of moments were spent 100% on her royal highness and we both enjoyed it.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,841

Growth:

Stillness doesn’t always mean sitting around. Working in my shop on the project of my choice with no timeline and no agenda fosters an incredible sense of stillness. My mind calms, I focus on the task at hand and I am totally present on my project. This is especially true when I’m trying something new and it requires the full attention of my mind. Sometimes I feel like I need to be working on something important or towards a goal, but I must remember that sometimes I need to just be still and do something purely for the fun and challenge of it with no goal, score, or deadline.

Today was full of stillness and I am in a deep state of serenity as a result.

Appreciation:

Throughout the day I’ve been checking my phone to watch the progress of Dominic and a handful of his high school classmates who are canoeing in the Boundary Waters for a week. He and his friends decided they wanted a wilderness adventure before heading off to college. I am sooooo jealous in a very positive way! So happy he’s created an opportunity to get out and live the canoeing/backpacking life with his buddies. Knowing he has friends who are interested in outdoor adventures like this is nothing short of awesome! Can’t wait until Thursday night to hear all about how his experience, and so appreciative of his passion for the outdoors.

Presence:

Savoring the smell of fresh cut oak in my workshop was amazing!!! Smells like a combination of childhood, Dad, time with my boys, and joyful work. Something about the scent of oak in a table saw always gets me.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,840

Growth:

When life feels like it is flying by at a crazy pace I need to remember to pause, zoom out, and plan. While laying out my next two to three months makes me feel claustrophobic and nauseous it is also exactly what I need to slow down and make sure I’m headed in the right direction. It is easy to be busy, it is difficult to be busy on the right things for a prolonged period of time without thoughtful reflection and planning.

Appreciation:

Nothing like an early supper followed by down time on the deck and then the couch once it started raining. I know, I probably sound old, but my body appreciates having time to digest prior to heading to bed. I can pretty much guarantee my resting heart rate will be nice and low and my quality of sleep be high.

After the nonstop feel of this week, complete with its double Mondays, this was the wind down I needed to kick off the weekend.

Presence:

Laying in bed with the windows open. My reading light on and taking in a novel. Feeling the breeze on my face. Hearing the wind blowing outside. Totally relaxed.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,839

Growth:

Sometimes my brain needs to relax from nonfiction and enjoy a great novel. This switch helps me learn in a different way through seeing how different ideas and interactions work out. Of course, I know it’s fiction, but there’s still so much to learn from the story and the conversations and motivations of characters. Today I fired up an old favorite (Spin) and have enjoyed the ride!

Appreciation:

Ahh… a nice chill night at home, relaxing on the deck. The boys are both out and about so it’s just Becky and I for now. We grilled supper, relaxed, washed dishes, and are now chilling on the deck. What perfect weather to kick back and enjoy the calm that is earned through a very busy day of work. What a perfect way to savor the end of the day.

Presence:

A teammate shared a video of a child watching fireworks for their first time and it was AWESOME!!! The look of pure joy and awe was so amazing I couldn’t help but smile and almost clap along with them as the bursts or color erupted in the sky. While the kid was the one in a perfect state of presence watching the fireworks my inner child was totally present in that moment with them and enjoying their total joy.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,838

Growth:

Once upon a time one of my mentors shared that my dream of work life balance was a pipedream.

“There’s no such thing as work life balance. There’s only life. The key is to be present where you need to be when you need to be there. If you need to be with family be 100% focused on family, if work needs focus be there 100%. Be where you need to be in the moment.”

Mark Tasler

While today has seemed quite out of balance in some ways it’s also one in which I smile remembering his lesson. Today is a day for working, stay present there. I’ve had time with family and will have more time with family, be here now, be there later. In both spots I will be more thoroughly present.

Appreciation:

Sometimes a change of pace can help kickstart a change in mindset. Today I jumped into a role I don’t usually fill and it left me with a wonderfully altered perception and mindset. The view from the different seat provided an interesting insight into a handful of ideas and left my brain much more open to new ideas throughout the day. It was kind of like a kickstart of a growth mindset.

Presence:

One of the projects I am working on for a client involves a focus on the results of their recent employee engagement survey. Part of my reason for working late tonight has been to have focused time on that project. I was able to shut everything else off, turn on some music, and dive in with both feet. It was amazing! The state of flow while dissecting and reassembling the results into a meaningful set of questions and next steps was exhilarating. I love work like this!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,837

Growth:

On our hike today Becky and I got on the topic of college life. I couldn’t help but realize how some turning points felt so critical in the moment but faded in importance with the benefit of time. While they seemed quite inconsequential after a while they really are the hinges upon which my life pivoted. They were important in the moment while fading through the years while at the same time their importance grew as they changed the trajectory of my life. Moments which felt huge, but really weren’t, but actually were for different reasons.

One more reason to accept what is thrown at us with open arms. Only after the fact can we look back and connect the dots.

Appreciation:

Today felt a lot like a bonus Sunday. I was able to sleep in a bit, relax, and got in a nice hike with Becky. Afterwards we hung out with friends for a while before heading back home. Tomorrow I’ll be up bright and early for work. Feels a lot like a Sunday!

But it’s not, it’s a Tuesday dressed up as a Sunday which means I’ll be back to weekend mode long before I feel like I should. How awesome is that???

Presence:

Many wonderful moments throughout the day today. The one that really sticks out is the 10+ minutes of silence I just enjoyed as I was typing my blog. I got a little stuck on which direction to go so I sat my phone down and just enjoyed silence.

My brain went in many different directions and slowly started to calm and focus. Enjoy this moment, enjoy the quiet seemed to be what it was leading me towards. After a time I finally got to that point, mind largely quieted, focused on my breath, and I was still. So calming.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,836

Growth:

Somehow my Apple Music offered up an interesting musical list this morning. I clicked on the playlist and was quickly rewarded with some very catchy new songs pumping through my speaker. It didn’t take long to realize that there was a little bit of an issue though. All the songs were in another language!

Rather than worry about the language barrier I opted to let the music roll. It was an interesting experiment, listening to the music and the emotion behind the voice. One song in particular was mind blowing! Check it out here without the lyrics so you get it the same way I initially did:

Then, if you want to get the lyrics you can watch this version:

What I really learned today was how music has the ability to transcend language. There are certain emotions which can be expressed musically which do not need language to clarify. In some ways the lyrics can almost get in the way of the beauty of the song.

Appreciation:

This morning I had a phone interview with a potential candidate for one of my teams. At one point I kind of had to pinch myself. As they explained what they were looking for in their next career I couldn’t help but realize each point they made was one I am blessed to live into each day. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to help others in finding their next career while growing and developing my teams. There’s never a dull moment and so many rewarding times, a wonderful balance of challenge and purpose.

Presence:

As the storm was about to roll in Gavin asked if we could head out to Nelson Park to watch it crash into us from over Lake Onalaska like we’ve done in the past. We did and it was awesome! A wonderful moment of enjoying the raw power of mother nature with Gavin and Dominic. Thanks for the excellent idea Gavin!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,835

Growth:

Patience makes a large positive difference. I spent time working on a repair to Becky’s backpacking tent this morning and it got me pretty frustrated at one point. I’m not well skilled at sewing and the work needed to add a patch to the screen was pretty detailed – also not one of my greatest strengths. While slowly stitching my blood pressure kept rising as I made a handful of mistakes. All I could think of was all the times Dad reminded me to either take a deep breath or walk away when I got too frustrated with a project. I heeded the advice, took a deep breath and kept at the project. It worked and the project was completed!

Appreciation:

Nothing quite like a week full of fresh air and outdoor time! Over the past week I’ve had the opportunity to spend a ton of time outside and it has felt amazing. I’m pretty tired and worn out, but it has been all worth it. With all this fresh air again today I know I’ll sleep like a champ tonight. Any week like this is one I can be thankful for.

Presence:

Spending time on the sandbar with friends shooting the bull and relaxing was fantastic this afternoon! After receiving a text out of the blue our plans for the afternoon on our boat shifted slightly and we were off to hang out with friends. My phone was somewhere in the bottom of a bag and I never had an urge to look at it as I was engaged in conversation and laughing with my friends the entire time. An excellent end to a great weekend!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,834

Growth:

I’m grateful for the residual backpacking mindset and chill from earlier this week. Today I had enough time to get some stuff done around the house before heading out to watch Gavin. After lunch and a hike Becky and I knocked out a bunch of housework. Rather than chill I took time to set up a “rucking pack” for me to use while hiking and then decided to hit the grocery store and check that one off the list before relaxing.

By the time I sat down to relax I was able to completely do so and it felt wonderful!!! Taking time to pick up a novel I’ve been reading for a while was a great way to enjoy the rewards of getting things done early. I’ll likely be wrapping up this blog a bit quickly so I can get back at it 😉

Funny how much I appreciate getting the work done first and then fully relaxing. It came through loud and clear while backpacking and continued to bring me joy today.

Appreciation:

While Gavin was volunteering at River Vault (more on that in the next section) Becky, Dominic, and I went hiking in Hixon. Dominic wanted to join us and we had a great time out in the woods talking while walking. Nothing crazy or earth shattering or anything, but some solid and fun conversation with him. As we see just how short this last summer with him is panning out to be I’m grateful for the time he wanted to spend with us doing something we all love. Next school year will be wild without him at home, I’m grateful for each moment we’re sharing before then.

Presence:

Gavin participated in a pretty unique event today, the 13th annual River Vault competition at Riverfest in La Crosse. There was a pole vaulting pit set up on the levee alongside the Black River. Talk about the most scenic vaulting I’ve ever seen!

It was a blast watching Gavin and the other competitors launch themselves up and over the bar.

Thanks!!!