Day 2,884

Growth:

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.

Robert Frost

There are times in which I sometimes wish time would move a little faster and I catch myself wishing my time away. There are times in which I wish a moment would last forever and I catch myself getting lost in the past. The right choice is to live in the moment, enjoy it for all it is worth in all of its up and downs, and realize that it will change. Sometimes I might feel it changes too soon, other times it takes too long, but regardless it will always change and move on to the next moment.

Appreciation:

So many thoughts and emotions running through me today but what I am most grateful for is very simple and easy to define. I am so thankful for Dominic’s opportunity to take the next steps in his life. I already miss having him at home, but my heart is so full of of joy for the adventure he is beginning. Throughout the day I’ve been reminded of so many memories from my first year of college when I attended Michigan Tech. That year was one of the most defining of my entire life. I am so pumped and excited to hear about Dominic’s experience and see how he continues to grow.

Presence:

What a surreal moment it was when we got back to the University of Minnesota campus and entered Dominic’s dorm room. Back to where I spent most of my college career, to the place where Dominic starts his life outside of our house, to the place we leave him before Becky and I head back home. So many emotions – largely joy for Dominic’s next adventure – and a wildly intense moment of presence as we helped him get settled in to where he’ll live for the next nine months or so.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,883

Growth:

There are so many times I enjoy a song without fully listening to the lyrics. When I was working on the dishwasher this morning I heard the song Human by The Killers. It’s the one that has the repeating line, “Are we human, or are we dancer?” I finally was intrigued enough to dig into the reason for the lyric and the why behind that line. I was rewarded with this article: https://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/the-killers/human-lyrics-hunter-s-thompson-grammar/

After learning the “why” behind it I listened a few more times and took it in on such a different level than I ever have before. So glad I took the time to dive in and learn more about the song, I’ll never hear it the same way again.

Appreciation:

One of my favorite parts of today was sharing so many memories while we were on our hike this afternoon. Over the course of four plus miles we talked about so many past experiences we have had as a family. Tomorrow the dynamic of our family shifts, I am so grateful for the awesomely strong foundation of shared experiences and memories we’ve built over the past years. So many moments of joy behind us, so many moments of joy ahead.

Presence:

Spending time as a family going for a hike in Perrot State Park. Spending time as a family enjoying dinner at home. Spending time as a family playing board games at the kitchen table. Spending time as a family laughing and talking on the couch during the soccer game. Perfect last day of Dominic being at home before starting his next adventure!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,882

Growth:

The clarity created by a looming deadline is a dagger that can cut both ways, we must choose how we will wield it. Do we choose the side focused on reminding us of how little is left, the scarcity mindset – or – do we choose to see it as a gift, it creates such intense focus on the present moment as that will come to a close soon? I’m choosing the beauty of the clarity, but am also allowing myself to be a little cut by the feeling of loss. That sting reminds me to appreciate life all the more especially when there’s no deadline in sight, though I know the deadline looms hidden in the fog if the future.

Appreciation:

This was likely the last “boys night” for Dominic, Gavin, and I for quite some time. Dominic moves to college on Sunday and we decided to enjoy the evening together. Pizza, games, and a little Mario Kart to round out the evening, a pretty much perfect one to remember until the next. So grateful for the opportunity to share one more night like that with both boys.

Presence:

Seriously, pretty much every moment after I wrapped up work at 5:30 until a few minutes ago was present with the boys. Funny how much more we appreciate time even we know how little we have left. Wonderful memories were created, shared, and will be remembered.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,881

Growth:

Sprints are often needed, remember to breathe in between and keep the pace temporary. Finish, recover, put in the training, and then be ready to sprint again.

This sprint has been a wild one, very fast paced, and I’m excited to cross the finish line tomorrow night!

Appreciation:

Rather than dive into another business related book right away I stayed true to my preferred reading habit of switching to a fiction. I just finished up Speaker for the Dead (the sequel to Ender’s Game) and was reminded of how much I appreciate re-reading certain books. Walking through the book a second time and now knowing where it was going was one level, having read the books that follow afterwards added even more. Seeing the development of characters from the perspectives of past, present, and future really adds so much depth and insight. Orson Scott Card did a wonderful job of building upon the character arcs throughout his novels, this second reading really helped me see what a masterful storyteller he really is.

Presence:

Sitting in the stands, under the sun, watching the first soccer game of the season for Gavin… Perfect weather to enjoy watching him start his season!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,880

Growth:

It is so easy to say no, but do much smarter think of “how it could be done” before choosing no. Sometimes a little thought can bring us to better solutions when a simple no would’ve eliminated the opportunity to find them.

Appreciation:

We always have a choice to make. We can control how we choose to experience life and all there is around us. We can choose to see stress and challenge or calm and opportunity – it is entirely up to us to decide how we will react and respond. The more I remember that I have a choice to make the more I remember to make the right choice rather than be guided by emotion. Today I remembered that I had a choice and it made all the difference.

Presence:

What do wolverine tracks, a moray eel, a whale, a blazing fire, cracked ice, a spiral, and random whisps have in common? They were all shapes in gif clouds above me during standup paddle board yoga tonight. Taking time to breathe and stare up at the clouds was so incredibly gratifying today!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,879

Growth:

Taking time to think, assess, strategize, plan, and then execute. What an incredible difference in effectiveness versus reacting and responding. Remember to take the first breath to assess how quickly a decision must be made or an action must be taken and then respond in timely fashion.

Appreciation:

This one may sound a bit odd, but I’m grateful for a long work day today. I left my house before 6am and didn’t get back to La Crosse until after 6pm. The reason I am thankful for it today is because days like this don’t happen nearly as often as they used to back in the day. Days like this are reminders of so many lessons I’ve learned the hard way including:

• Working harder does not equal working more effectively
• Undisciplined pursuit of more leads to less
• Let purpose lead the way over ego

Having one day like this, one spent in a strong zone of working on purpose, working at a high pace, and working with positive teammates is a gift for so many reasons… but only when needed once in a while.

Presence:

After walking up super early Becky and I were able to get our run in before I left for work which left me feeling more awake than I had any right to be. When I hit the halfway point in Arcadia I was greeted with a spectacular gift of timing. There were thick clouds hanging in the valleys and I was looking down upon them from atop the bluff. As if that wasn’t awesome enough the sunrise was lighting up the whisps of the tops of the clouds in a brilliant golden light. It was beautiful!!!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,878

Growth:

Questions, lead with questions. Questions lead to greater successes than statements. Start with questions, listen, learn, and then ask more questions until it is fully understood. Only then will statements lead to success.

Appreciation:

Throughout my Express career I’ve been challenged to read many books for various training reasons. Whether it was a part of a future leadership program, a monthly training, or an ongoing ownership meeting there have been many books I’ve read. Quite often, in full honesty, I wasn’t thrilled to read them. I read them out of obligation and quite often ended up learning so much from them. After a while I started to develop a pattern of reading on a very regular basis.

Today was a wonderful reminder of how much that habit has continued to help me through my career. Thanks to have read one a while back it triggered in my mind today as one that I needed to pull off the shelf and dive back into. I did just that and am already thanking myself for the lessons and ideas I’ve gleaned from it.

Reading is such a valuable gift we can give ourselves. The lesson can never be taken away and it can come back to help us in so many different ways and situations. Today I’m grateful for developing this habit and for giving myself that gift.

Presence:

Yoga tonight was hot, muggy, and intense! The moment which stuck out most to me today as a moment of extreme presence was when Nick, our yoga instructor, challenged us to push through one last wheel pose for five of our own breaths. My arms were already torched and I was exhausted, but I gritted it out through shaking muscles to stay up for the entire five breaths.

The funny thing is that in retrospect I’m pretty sure if he would have pushed us for four breaths that’s all I would have been able to do. If he’d ask ed for us to go for six I’m guessing I could have done the six instead of five.

Regardless, in that moment the only thing on my mind and in my focus was on the individual breaths and the straining muscles. Nothing else existed, only breathing and straining. And it felt amazing!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,877

Growth:

Not too long ago a mistake like yesterday would have caused me to get all types of bent out of shape. I took the time to write a full blog post, hit the Publish button, and then it all disappeared (likely due to very poor internet coverage). No back up was saved, everything I typed was gone.

The me from not too long ago would have thought that the 20+ minutes of writing a blog which disappeared would have been in vain. That old me would also have gotten frustrated at the fact that his blogging streak was now kind of done unless he typed up a new one right away.

The me of yesterday saw it all a bit differently and was able to go back to sleep peacefully. My ego wasn’t bothered by the post not appearing, I write this blog daily to help myself become a better version of me each rather than for pats on the back for a job well done from others. I did not see the time writing as a waste as the success was in taking time to write and think in the first place. The resulting blog / journal is purely a benefit of this practice rather than the measurement of success of the practice.

Days like yesterday are wonderful opportunities to pause and see that I have closed the gap at least a little over the past several years, that’s a win in my opinion!

Appreciation:

Two weeks off of work are now wrapping up and tomorrow I head back to the office. I am so appreciative for remembering to take time away from work to live life. For sure, I am very passionate about my work and am fortunate to have the career path and teams that I have, I am getting giddy to head to back tomorrow! That said, sometimes the best thing we can do to make progress on something is to take a step back, take a much wider view, and then come back to the project with clarity found outside. Zooming out leads to so many additional insights which are too easily missed by staring too closely at the challenge. I am feeling well rested, excited, energized, and like I’ve got my head in a much better place to help my teams thanks to this time away. I’m grateful for the excitement I feel for getting back at it tomorrow!

Presence:

Moments of quiet relaxation at home today, what a perfect way to wrap up the time off. I feel like I should have been possibly a little more productive, but the moments of sitting back, putting my feet up, and relaxing at home felt truly glorious!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,876

So much for that one! Somehow yesterday’s post didn’t save or go through. No biggie, I know I wrote it, that’s all that matters 😉🤷‍♂️

Thanks!!!

Day 2,876

Growth:

With the power of hindsight it is so easy to see how past mistakes, failures, challenges, and pain can become sources of our greatest strength, growth, wisdom, and joy. While easy to see looking back, why do I not as readily trust that moving forward when I’m in those difficult moments?

Today more than a handful of past growth moments led to positive outcomes and reminded me to stay positive in the midst of any challenge.

Appreciation:

Without getting into too much detail I’d still like to share my gratitude for today. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help someone through a difficult time. When Dad passed I realized the importance of allowing others to make a gift of themselves when they want to. Their help may help heal them, may help them feel a sense of control, may help the feel a sense of purpose, and may help them express love for their fellow person. I’ve recently been on the other side of the equation and cannot begin to explain how much of a positive impact it has had on me. I feel that I have been given the better gift, the opportunity to help.

Presence:

There is not much more energizing in my career than having a team member get super pumped up and excited about an idea or vision they have. Their passion and enthusiasm lift my soul and bring so much joy! Today I was able to share one of those moments and it was awesome!!!

Thanks!!!