Day 3,086

One of the benefits of travel is the reminder of how much we appreciate our home. Tonight I’m back home and about to crash in my own bed. Eating a home cooked meal with Becky and Gavin was awesome! Spending time with my family in our house was exactly what I was ready for today.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,805

Growth: One of the best lessons I taught myself a while back was to take the time to organize and sort through vacation photos and videos on the way home. Taking pictures is fun, cleaning out the chaff can be very tedious. By focusing on completion prior to getting home I’ll be able to enjoy and share them so much more easily! You’re welcome Future Mike, I’ve got your back!

Appreciation: Travel is such a gift, the opportunity to get outside of ourselves, explore something outside of our normal, and the chance to easily slip into a state of awe – reminding us how important it is to seek it in our day to day lives. The journey also reminds us of how much we appreciate our “normal” lives as we begin to long for home. So thankful for making the time and space to travel!

Presence: The hustle of sprinting through an airport – what a rush!!! This evening we had the opportunity to get an awesome strength and cardio workout in as we carried our bags and jogged from the domestic terminal to the international terminal. Nothing like the fear of being stranded to bring out the best in us!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,084

Growth:

You can always delete pictures, but you can’t tale more after the fact. I spent some time culling the herd from this vacation and am glad we captured so many moments to choose from!

Appreciation:

What a difference a day can make! We were so fortunate to have excellent weather yesterday for our whale watching tour, pretty sure we used up all our luck! Today was much different as evidenced by this comparison pic:

The angle is different, but the mountain is the same.

Based on the weather we punted, went back to sleep for a little bit, and then went with Plan B and had a blast! So thankful for the perfect weather at the right time and the flexibility to roll with whatever Mother Nature threw our way.

Presence:

So many laughs throughout the day! There weren’t screens out often, so nice having engaged time together.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,083

Growth: Awe is one of the most joy inspiring emotions. How much more joyful would I be if I sought out a sense of awe daily?

Appreciation: So many memories created together, so much conversation with each other, and so much love shared. Truly epic father and son day with Dominic today. Gavin and I have the Northern Lights Thanksgiving in Iceland, Dominic and I have the whale and glacier cruise past the end of the world. Priceless.

Presence: Seeing and hearing a humpback whale was mind boggling! The size, beauty, grace, and gentleness of the whales moved me to tears as I took in just what a gift it was to share a moment with them.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,082

Growth: While I want to squeeze every ounce of life out of the time I have it is important for me to remember that the best use of my time also includes a little rest. Today was one I was uncomfortable with scheduling in our vacation as it was a total off day filled with zero agenda. As I get ready for bed I realize that is exactly what I needed. Part of living life to its fullest is remembering to put gas in the tank once in a while.

Appreciation: In many ways I’ve already touched on this over the past handful of days but it bears repeating. Spending this much focused bonus time with Dominic has been outstanding! To have had the opportunity to do the same with Gavin in Iceland and with Becky multiple times over the past years strengthens our relationships and fills my soul tremendously!!!

Presence: So many jokes and laughs with Dominic and Steve today! We had an awesome time walking around Punta Arenas today and enjoyed so many sights that are definitely outside what we’re used to back home including some very interesting shopping malls, interesting wiring, interesting construction safety, interesting wild dogs, and interesting stores. Throughout we laughed, joked, and took it all in.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,081

Growth: Timing is everything. What we initially consider bad luck can often be a blessing in disguise. Enjoy the ride, for all its bumps and twists and turns. Know that wherever you are, you are right where you should be at that moment… even if you don’t think so initially.

Appreciation: Control what we can control. Be intentional in our actions. Create and seize the opportunity. Be the best and most authentic version of ourselves always. Enjoy each moment.

Presence: This moment right here:

Thanks!!!

Day 3,080

Short one tonight, getting late and I’m exhausted!

Growth: My right foot was ridiculously sore this morning when I got out of bed. I was quite nervous about what my hiking day would look like due to injury. Thankfully, I chanced it and my foot felt better after a half mile on the trail, it just needed to be loosened up. My growth moment today was this: in health and life always know the difference between discomfort and injury. One requires action, the other rest. Prescribe the right solution and when in doubt choose action.

Appreciation: Waking up early to get outside before sunrise is one of my favorite activities. This morning it led to an empty trail and an epic sunrise against the mountains.

Presence: While hiking in a state of bliss I proceeded to brush my hand lightly against a bush along the trail. Rather than a magical Disney moment I experienced the pain of three thorns jabbing me in the hand. Be in the moment and embrace it fully, but don’t be a dumbass, not everything was meant to be embraced.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,079

Growth: I’m reminded today of the joy of being unplugged from the world! With no phones in our way to distract us Dominic and I shared so many conversations, moments, and experiences.

Appreciation: Experiencing the awe of vacation through the eyes of Dominic was priceless! His joy was palpable as we waited with bated breath to see if the clouds would move just right so we could see the peaks of the mountains. The way Dominic soaked in the grandeur all around him filled my soul.

Presence: The moment Dominic had us virtually sprint outside to see the mountain peak in all its glory without clouds is a moment I’ll remember fondly all my life.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,078

Is there much more to say than this?

I hope not! After 24+ straight hours of traveling it is time to crash and start the hiking tomorrow.

Time for some zzz’s in a real bed rather than an airplane.

Thanks!!!

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!!!