Day 3,297

Growth:

Our annual Express Leadership Academy alumni retreat is one of my favorite learning opportunities for a reason. Within the first two hours of actual activity I’m already stretching my brain in very uncomfortable yet productive ways. So grounding and enlightening to spend time with very successful cohorts!

Appreciation:

While this work trip provides a lot of learning opportunities with others it also provides a different type of learning as well… time alone. Sure, there is a ton of time with others, but there’s also a lot of time alone (when you count travel time like this).

In so many ways I’m reminded of my solo backpacking trip from last spring. Time alone with my thoughts, time in which I’m more exposed to myself than normal when I have so many potential distractions to grab my attention. I’m uncomfortably alone, in the space where growth seems to come more quickly!

Presence:

In order to get to the airport with plenty of time to spare I was up and out of the house long before the sun rose. This meant I had the opportunity to drive under a sky full of stars and then watch the black shift to purple to orange to sunlit. What a beautiful transition!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,296

Growth:

As someone close to us once said about coming over for supper, they thought to themselves, “I know I’ll enjoy my time with Mike and Becky, but I’d rather stay home alone.” By the time they admitted this to us they said they were glad they’d come over, it was so much more enjoyable and satisfying.

Their moment of honesty has stuck with me as I’ve caught myself thinking similar thoughts from time to time. As this friend learned, I’m usually walking away very appreciative for the opportunity.

Appreciation:

Becky and I enjoyed our evening of camping and hit the trail early this morning. Waking up in a camper, enjoying a cup of coffee in the woods, and then hitting the trails early…. and doing it all with Becky…. Perfect way to start a morning!

Presence:

At the wedding reception we attended this evening there was a sublime moment of levity.

As the new groom started to thank everyone for coming he said, “My wife and I…”

He then giggled and squealed, “You’re my wife!!!” and proceeded to laugh with the utmost joy in the moment of realization of what had just happened.

Pure magic for the soul!!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,295

Growth:

I was planning on finishing up the audiobook I’ve been reading lately while I drove to Eau Claire today, but instead I opted for some music… exactly what my soul needed! As I kept enjoying the tunes I ended up skipping the reading for the entire 180 minutes of driving, it was all music all the time.

Increased productivity through audiobooks is great, but sometimes I need to remember to take a moment to chill and let my mind wander a bit. It almost feels as if I’m trying to pack in a little too much and by taking a step back I’m able to better take in the info. Almost like listening to music wrongs out the sponge so I can absorb more again.

Appreciation:

How awesome was this crazy thoughtful gift???

Soooooo excited to take the camper van to add in more trees!!!

Presence:

Nothing like enjoying some camping in the fall!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,294

Growth:

Today I had the opportunity to sit in on a couple of CEO roundtable discussions focused on what we are all facing in the economy currently. By spending so much more time listening than speaking there was so much to learn from the participants – both business acumen AND leadership. There were several moments when I caught myself enjoying their perspectives and soaking in the examples they set in what they said and what they didn’t say. I took many notes from the discussions, they were about fifty fifty split between the economy and their styles. Listening, what a way to learn!

Appreciation:

I’ve blogged about this topic or something like it in the past, but it is definitely worth writing about again. I am so grateful I don’t travel for work all the time. For sure, I love travel, it is one of my favorite things in the world. It’s just not the ideal lifestyle for work.

Here I am, a week or so away from the trip and my brain keeps going back to what I need to do to be ready for it. What do I need to pack? What do I need to have ready in advance? Did I make all the reservations correctly? What happens if the travel gods do not smile upon me, what’s the back up plan? Even my dreams have returned to the chaos filled moments of nervousness about forgetting something for the trip. The past couple of nights I’ve woken up feeling not nearly as well rested as I normally due thanks in part to the breakneck pace of those dreams.

I’ll be fine, the reason for the trip is awesome, and I’m very happy to go to the event. The stress before the trip is always a little more than I’d like, but just enough to remind me to be grateful for spending 99+% of my work nights at home.

Presence:

After our CEO roundtables I got back to my office, closed the door, and took five minutes to relax. I set my sand timer on it’s top and did nothing but breathe as I watched the grains slowly drop into the bottom of the timer. The past handful of days have been absolutely packed, largely with people related work. It’s been very fulfilling and I’ve enjoyed it immensely, but I also realized that I haven’t had any time to myself to just pause and think. My attitude is so much lighter when I have more pockets of solo time, the one type I’ve been missing over the past few days. Those five minutes of stillness alone in my office were exactly what I needed to get my brain back on track.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,293

Growth:

The things you run from are inside you.

Seneca

Appreciation & Presence:

The trajectory of life can be altered so quickly in just a moment. Here’s to a moment seared into my soul for eternity. Twenty five years ago today Becky looked across a crowded church and smiled at me, the moment I knew we would spend the rest of our lives together.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,292

Growth:

Some actions are worth more time and energy than others even though they don’t feel nearly as urgent. Over the past week I’ve spend an oversized amount of time prepping for a specific project, putting in well over ten times the amount of time into preparation as went into the action itself, but it made all the difference. When there is a truly important task to be done remember to invest the time into it that it deserves, it will pay off.

Appreciation:

Crazy to think that 25 years ago, a quarter of a century, Becky and I met for the first time! In so many ways it feels like just a few days ago. The funny thing is that the first night we met we really were not into each other at all, it wasn’t until the next day that I was head over heals… she took a little longer to convince 😉

Here’s to 25 years of knowing each other, and to 24 years and 364 days of of knowing I’d met my soulmate.

Presence:

I’ve written often about my drive to work up the Mississippi River Valley each weekday. The stunning views of the bluffs, the river, and everything in between are spectacular and always worthy of gratitude. On many mornings at about this time of the year I have the opportunity to experience the sunrise slowly painting the bluffside as I drive upriver. The golden hues add a otherwordly glow to the hillsides, especially as the leaves start to change. This morning was one of those mornings 🙂

Thanks!!!

Day 3,291

Growth:

There are pros and cons to most things in life. While there are so many boons from AI there are some concerning drawbacks as well. I’m very grateful for the book Nexus by Yuval Hurari as it continues to stretch my brain like a hardcore yoga class!

Appreciation:

There’ve been many blogs like this one recently. I’ve been busy all day, I’m finally in bed later than expected, and I’m hurrying to blog before I go to sleep. I feel like there’s so much more to write, but I’m reminded that it is the practice itself, not the writing, which is most important. Each short blog is the result of living life fully and still making time to pause and be grateful for all the blessings from throughout the day. A beautiful balance!

Presence:

Watching Gavin’s football game sitting alongside my brother was fantastic this evening! Always enjoyable getting in some bonus time like that with him.

Thanks!!!