Day 3,273

Growth:

Drive and motivation are two very different concepts. We are all motivated by slightly different things for slightly different reasons and we all have varying degrees of drive. Just because one is high does not mean the other is as well and vice versa.

Appreciation:

The satisfaction of creating and then completing a substantial task list in one day is intoxicating! What’d better is that it just opened up my tomorrow to focus on specific larger thought projects I want to knock out. Now I have the space and clarity of mind to do just that. Focus today created more opportunity for focus tomorrow!

Presence:

The storytelling of Cormac McCarthy features an increasingly magnified level of gravity. As the story goes on one can’t help but drawn deeper and deeper into the relentless vortex of the characters and action. Today I found myself swimming into the center of the whirlpool which is Blood Meridian.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,272

Growth:

In the heat of the moment the right decisions can be difficult to see. By pausing to zoom out we can sometimes see that we were trying to solve the wrong problem.

Appreciation:

Over the past day and a half I’ve had the opportunity to pause, recalibrate, and strategize with my business partners. This opportunity is one which never feels urgent, but is so important for our mutual success. In taking time to open up and share our situations, challenges, and opportunities we help each other grow. Today I’m grateful for them and for our time together.

Presence:

While running alone in the dark in a moonlit field with bluffs and forests surrounding the trail I found peace. When running in the dark of the woods my headlamp became an alarm clock for the whitetail deer bedded down the edge of the trail.

To think I almost missed those moments by considering whether or not to hit the snooze button and go back to sleep.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,271

Growth:

Am I intentionally making the trade offs I want to make or am I taking the path of least resistance and forfeiting my opportunity to choose (thus making a different decision)?

Appreciation:

Having the opportunity to work remotely for a little while today…

Presence:

Sharing something I am passionate about with a friend, always a wonderful moment!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,270

Growth:

In reading Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy I’m learning that one doesn’t need long, indulgent, and obscure words to write a classic. The use of exactly the correct word and combination of words truly paints the tapestry.

Appreciation:

It finally happened today!!! A huge one on our bucket lists came true as we picked up our campervan! We went through a two and a half hour orientation and the drove it back two and a half hours home. We had a moment to enjoy it with our pup this evening and now I’m crashing in it for the night. An all campervan kind of day 😄👍

Presence:

Our first moment of chill in our campervan this evening, perfection!!!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,269

Growth:

When I’m in an uncomfortable or awkward situation I always have a choice to make, which mindset will I choose. Today I had that opportunity and made the most of it once I paused to be cognizant of the opportunity to choose.

The Mindfulness Triathlon was today and I was flying solo as Becky was out of town for work. The first leg was a short hike in the woods and I was expecting a quiet walk and was instead in the middle of a very talkative group of walkers. For a moment I was frustrated and wanting a quiet trail with no one around, but then I remembered to choose to be grateful and harness the opportunity for growth.

I paused and enjoyed the sounds of everyone having a great time talking, they were having a blast! I enjoyed their joy for a bit. I then remembered that I’m good at “escaping” to a quiet place alone, but I need work finding the “escape” amongst others. This became an opportunity for me to find my inner stillness while surrounded by others. With that mindset I focused more on the sights all around me and was gifted with spectacular views, like of a huge spiderweb lit up by the low angle of the sun. So much beauty when I remember to quiet my own inner voice.

There’s always a choice to make, I will keep working to choose growth more often.

Appreciation & Presence:

Thanks to Dominic being in town from his rugby match I had almost exactly five hours to spend with my sons together today. I took advantage of that time and we had a blast together! Board games, watching football, so many laughs and jokes, and all focused time with each other. We maneuvered the living room furniture around so we were able to play games, eat, and keep an eye on football all at the same time, only taking a few short bio breaks throughout. Nothing crazy or out of the ordinary, but time for us to coexist and enjoy each others company. Such a blessing today!!!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,268

This morning I woke up a little earlier than usual specifically to get a nice hike in with both Leia and my 50# backpack before loading into the car for a day for five hours of driving for Dominic’s rugby match in Madison. Just as I started to walk out to the garage the rain started to fall. In that moment I made the decision to enjoy the hike with whatever weather was offered up.

Leia and I virtually had the trails to ourselves! So chill smelling the fresh rain mixing with different types of soil and all the different plants. The sound of the raining was calming on a visceral level, a symphony of the forest. Such an experience!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,267

Growth:

Life is not guaranteed. We are not promised a certain number of days. When we have reminders of our impermanence we must mind them and utilize them as opportunities for growth, to remember to make the most of each moment, each breath, we are gifted.

Appreciation:

So many directions to go on this one today! One of the biggest impacts for me today was learning more about the downfall of a thought leader I’ve followed and attempted to emulate. As I read more and more of the challenges Tony Hsieh faced after becoming the poster child of company culture and values I couldn’t help but continue to learn through him. In years past I learned what to do, in the present I’m learning what NOT to do – all from the same individual.

We are all so unique and multifaceted, there’s always more below the surface than anyone else could ever know. Do not judge based on one facet, instead, attempt to learn more of the story.

Presence:

This moment of perfect stillness in the early morning:

Thanks!!!

Day 3,266

Growth:

One of my favorite thought leaders who helped to shape part of my leadership mindset had his life cut tragically short due to several emotional challenges. In reading about his life in more detail I’m reminded of the dichotomy of people who are exceptionally strong in certain ways, they’ve often got weaknesses or demons almost equal to their strengths. In appreciating the strengths one must also acknowledge and work to understand the weaknesses.

Appreciation:

I’m again reminded of how interesting it is that when we really pause to reflect inward there are so many actions, moments, reminders, and examples of what we know we need to grow into all around us. We must only pause and take time to think with intentionality to more clearly see what is already surrounding us, all that we can ever need we already have and in abundance.

Presence:

Celebrating the successes of others, always a joyful moment!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,265

Growth:

Great line from the book Designing Your Life in regards to what the authors deem “gravity problems”

If it is not actionable it is not a problem, it is a situation, a circumstance, a fact of life. It may be a drag so to speak, but like gravity, it can’t be solved.

Appreciation:

LOL – today I am very thankful for preparation! While driving to work I was enjoying my coffee. Unfortunately, my lips must’ve forgotten how to operate for a moment and I ended up with coffee on the front of my button up shirt. Fortunately, I was prepared for just this potentiality! I pulled over at the next quiet road, used napkins to soak it up, busted out my Tide stick pen, cleaned my shirt, and was back on the road in less than five minutes! The power of preparation – and the disappointment of total lip failure 😂

Presence:

Is there any greater working joy than training someone who is wildly driven on something you are passionate about and who is naturally encoded for the purpose you are training them for? So rewarding!!!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,264

Growth:

Look to understand what someone loves and fears and the you will find their motivations.

Appreciation:

This morning was our annual Habitat for Humanity build day. Whoever would think so much joy could be created amongst a team through physical work for a complete stranger. So grateful for this ongoing worthwhile tradition!

Presence:

The moment I got home and was immediately smothered with love by Leia, they was pretty awesome and joyful for sure!

Thanks!!!