Day 3,077

Growth:

What is in my control and what is out of my control? Today I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to focus on both halves of that question.

What is in my control? Packing everything I need. Arriving early. Shifting to a seat close to the front. Having my gear ready to grab and go. Mapping out the route from my arrival gate to my departure gate. these were all actions I could take in order to give myself the best possible opportunity for success.

What is out of my control? The crazy long and slow line at the ticket desk. The lightning fast TSA line (legit, it took only as long as how fast I could walk through it). Whether our flight boards and takes off on time. Any potential delays due to weather or flight conditions. There is no control I have over them.

Rather than stress what is out of my control I’m sitting in a state of contentment that I have done all I can to make the next flight on time. Even though it is a super tight connection I’m in a state of chill. I have prepared what I could and have surrendered the outcome.

What a more peace way to live!

Appreciation:

Let the adventure begin! After months and months of waiting today is the day, we’re off!

What I’m very thankful for today is the practices of Growth, Appreciation, and Presence I’ve been working on over the past several years. Days like this used to bring me profound stress, but now I’m compelled to chill and relax. As I wrote above, I’m focusing on what is within and what is outside my control.

I’m seeing potentially stressful moments as opportunities to grow. Standing in line waiting is certainly not my favorite, but it was time I was able to spend talking with Dominic about his rugby season and school year. When the family behind us started to get a little stressed I took the opportunity to talk with them about their trip to Disney and was rewarded with a very pleasant conversation. If we miss our next flight I’ll have the opportunity to work on my troubleshooting skills. All good, all reasons to feel not only contented, but joyful.

I’m pausing to appreciate the time together with Dominic. I am grateful for our opportunity to go on an adventure, wherever and however it goes. I’m overjoyed with all the support of Becky and Gavin and all of my teammates in order to make this happen. I’m appreciative for the opportunities to enjoy more nature while also learning more about myself. My appreciation brings great joy.

I’m present in these moments with Dominic, with myself in moments of stillness, and not wasting time thinking about what could happen, what challenges we might face, what stress there will be when I get home. I’m focused on the here and now. When Dominic is feeling talkative I’m completely engaged. When he wants quiet I’m blogging, sitting quietly and enjoying the stillness of the flight, or closing my eyes and thinking about how much growth this practice has provided. seemingly each moment I am aware of my breath, such a serene sensation.

This was not the me of years ago. This may not be the me of tomorrow, but for the moment I’m enjoying Minding the GAP, I’m choosing Growth, Appreciation, and Presence!

Presence:

What a surreal moment this afternoon when my cousin boarded the exact same flight as Dominic and I today! Up until a few weeks ago we hadn’t seen each other in years, now we’ve seen each other twice in a month – wild! So crazy to get a quick conversation and hug with a cousin while boarding a flight.

Thanks!!!