When in doubt, go to bed early. You’ll never regret it!
Appreciation:
Over the past week we did a lot of work to prep for the start of a new teammate. Today it paid off big time! The first day went amazingly smooth even through some tech support hiccups thanks to the prep work. So thankful for planning ahead and working ahead!
Presence:
During my drive to Eau Claire this morning I pulled over to take in the sight of the valleys filled with clouds, only the bluffs rose above the sea of fog. So beautiful!
Thanks to Mark Manson for this nugget to ponder all day…
Develop the ability to be disliked and free yourself from the prison of other people’s opinions.
Appreciation:
This evening we had a family yoga night! Both boys wanted to join Becky and I for our normal Monday activity and by the end we were called out for “an entire family of wheel in the front row!”
What I really appreciate about this is the time spent together and the building of very healthy physical and emotional habits that both boys see as useful and worthwhile. Big smiles all around!
Presence:
While Gavin was working at the office doing some landscaping he fired up 1984 in audiobook form. On our way home we spent some time talking through the book together – an awesomely insightful conversation talking about an excellent and useful book!
One step at a time. Remember that all works of art don’t magically appear in an instant, they are crafted through countless small steps. Zoom out, make a plan, and take action one small step at a time.
Appreciation:
How am I using my time? Am I treating it as precious and living with intention or am I allowing it to pass by while I drift aimlessly? The right answer is easy, but the right action is not always as automatic as I would like it to be.
This afternoon I hit the reset button and focused on the projects I want to complete. That change helped me switch from wasting time to choosing one task at a time to knock out to get me closer to completing one of my goals. As it turned out, I was also able to make way more progress than expected and share more time with the family!
Presence:
Throughout the weekend Becky and I had pockets of time with just the two of us and it was a pleasure just relaxing and talking. Those moments left me smiling and reminded me of how much I appreciate sharing our lives together!
When joy is shared it is multiplied. When burden is shared it is divided.
Cheers to both sides of this quote one today!
Appreciation:
My passion for being outside has brought so much joy to my life. Everything is put so clearly into perspective when in the outdoors. Sharing time in the woods with friends and family helps us bond and connect on deeper levels. The time in nature brings stillness to my soul. I am renewed by the time I spend outdoors.
Presence:
Dinner with good friends, spending time laughing, and creating new memories. A wonderful evening with wonderful friends!
Today we tried something completely new to me, rock climbing! I’ve done climbing walls before, but this was the first time I’d ever gone up rock like this. What an awesome adventure to share with the family!
As one of my mentors once shared, “when you feel uncomfortable you are growing.” Here’s to much growth over the past six months! In reviewing the past half year of work there has been much discomfort, but I’m optimistic that it will lead to growth.
Appreciation:
My heart goes out to all those who live in Jasper, AB. The news of the wildfires raging through their community left me in tears. Such a majestic town, such natural beauty surrounding it. To hear that 30-50% has burned by flames over 300’ tall is devastating. Thoughts and prayers to all those impacted by the wildfires.
Presence:
Relaxing and playing in hammocks in the front yard with Gavin, pretty sweet way to wrap up the day! So chill just floating outside, my mind makes the traffic sounds disappear while I focus on the sounds of birds, the breeze, and my wind chimes. Life is better and more simple outdoors.
Pausing to observe without comment or judgement can lead to very bright moments of insight. In working with a teammate today the two of us were able to pick out a couple of key concepts to focus on in order to lead to future successes. Had we just kept working away we likely would have missed the insights, so glad we took the time to zoom out!
Appreciation:
After getting home from work I quickly found myself alone at home except for our pup, Leia. Gavin’s hammock was swinging in the wind and I took the hint. I changed out of my work clothes, grabbed my current book, and took Leia outside with me. We spent the better part of a half hour chilling on the hammock, relaxing, enjoying the book (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy), and basking in the perfect summer weather. Such a perfect way to unwind after work today.
Presence:
While reading a specific hunting scene in The Comfort Crisis I couldn’t help but think back to the time I was sitting with Dominic in a blind while he was hunting. The moment of the buck walking up, Dominic’s focus, the split second of the shot, and the excited nervousness afterwards are so vivid in my memory. Talk about a moment of complete presence!
In going back through my notes today I came across a handful of gems that I wanted to save. Here’s a sampling of those quotes and ideas:
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, “What??? You too??? I thought no one but me…” CS Lewis
“If things are heavy, what is weighing you down?” Lynn Coburn
Why do I always “shine up” my results? Why do I let my ego get in the way and prevent learning?
The Hypothesis of Earned Dogmatism: the fear of falling backwards after being self-identified as an expert
When we share our joy it multiplies, when we share our burden it divides.
Lots of food for thought this evening!
Appreciation:
I am so thankful for all of the notes I take in my journals at work throughout the year! Today I spent time reviewing notes from the past year-ish to walk back through all of the changes and events in an effort to learn where to go next. By going through page by page I was quickly transported back in time and could see when things started to creep up, I changed direction, or there was a great idea that wasn’t quite ready. In digging through I was able to start putting together a better plan for 2025 as a result. More work to be done on that front for sure, but this was a productive start thanks to keeping all of my notes in my journals.
Presence:
This evening we had dinner as a family with just the four of us and it was profoundly awesome in its perfect simplicity. As we’ve done for many years but haven’t done quite in the same manner nearly as often in the past year, it was just the four of us talking about nothing important, sharing a meal, and enjoying each others company. At one point I just paused to take it all in. It felt so wonderfully right.
This morning I was pausing to go over my task list for the day and I found myself pouncing on the “doing” activities rather than the more ethereal “thinking” activities. Once I was aware of the choice I was making I remembered the leadership lesson Dominic learned a couple of weeks ago and found the joy and satisfaction in the “thinking” activities. A couple returned almost immediate results as the behaviors of others involved changed rather quickly in a positive way!
Appreciation:
Just yesterday I wrote about Gavin enjoying a book we started reading together, The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter. Today when I got home from work I was greeted with “Dad, I read the chapter about boredom being a good thing so I decided to take a ‘Boredom Break.’ I sat my phone and the book down, laid back in my hammock, and did nothing but sit and meditate for 20 minutes. It was great!” Talk about music to my ears on so many levels! 🙂
Presence:
Nothing quite like the bonus exercise to get to the exercise! Tonight Becky and I rode our bikes to yoga. Not a crazy distance or anything, but a nice way to warm up our legs before an hour of hot yoga. It seems that the more ways I can find to add in some bonus exercise the happier I am.
Nothing quite like real life learning moments for new drivers. Today Gavin, who is just about to his fifty hours of supervised driving time for his license, got to experience what happens when you encounter an intoxicated driver. Once we identified the issue by the erratic driving I contacted the police and we hung way back from the intoxicated driver. Fortunately, they were stopped relatively quickly and without causing an accident.
Throughout the entire situation Gavin soaked up the experience. Such a great learning opportunity for him, both the driving and taking responsibility to take action.
Appreciation:
I may have created a monster, but a monster I’m excited to spend time with! As soon as Gavin hit in the driver’s seat he asked, “What book are we going to listen to, Dad?” After a little bit of discussion we settled on The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter. The minutes of driving melted away as we’d occasionally pause to share some thoughts and ideas from the book. We’ve already got some crazy dreams to try out, and we’re barely a third of the way in.
Dominic just read it a week or two ago and has started implementing a couple of the concepts.
I’m so grateful for the boys’ interest in reading, especially the overlap between the genres of books we enjoy. We get so much more to talk about and have a shared language to discuss things we are passionate about. More ways to bond!
Presence:
This weekend we hung out with my mom, my brother, & their families in central Wisconsin, our annual opportunity to get away from the busyness of life to hang out together. We had a great time, grateful for all of the moments we shared, especially playing games by the campfire last night!
Thankful for Forty 