Day 3,401

Growth:

Over the past few weeks I’ve been doing a better and better job of prepping my breakfasts and lunches for work on Sunday so I’m ready to dive right into the week. Left to my own devices I find that I sometimes get in a hurry and grab whatever is available. Other times I let my emotion push me towards something unhealthy as it is an emotional crutch I’ve sometimes hung onto. Regardless, if I prepare my lunches and breakfasts for the week in advance and back them each morning there’s no issue, I follow through on what I set as my default action.

Today I’m reminded of how much this has helped me start feeling better already without any real shift to my diet. I’m still eating what I want, but by taking a little time before I can set a plan to eat food I enjoy in the right portion size and without succumbing to the desire for junk food. One decision early in the week before I go to the grocery store makes an outsized difference the rest of the week.

Appreciation:

This weekend with my friends was significantly more beneficial than I anticipated. So many laughs, so much joy. There was also moments of sharing difficult things, but there were also many more moments of sharing fun times like vacations and talking about family. Throughout it was like I could just let my shoulders relax and just be, without any responsibility, without any stress, and without feeling the need to filter anything I thought or said. We shared professional successes and frustrations knowing that we were understood by the others and were able to gain both support and advice from each other on those matters. It was an oasis of suspended reality used to rekindle friendships and recharge the soul.

While one cannot live outside of reality for very long the impact of that time away can keep providing positive impacts for many months afterwards. Taking time in this protected little bubble creates space for insight, for learning, for understanding, for growth. Everything else outside still awaits, but it is all seen just a little more clearly – very similar to a vacation.

Presence:

There have been a handful of moments of presence that stick out. Watching a stand up comedian with my friends and laughing until it hurt. Listening to a wonderful audiobook. Talking with Mom about her camper expo experience. Getting home to hugs from Becky and Gavin. Catching up with both of them and then going for a walk in the woods. The enjoyment of making my meals for the week, adjusting recipes based on past experience. Relaxing with Becky. Taking the time to blog now. All wonderful moments, almost all shared.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,400

Tonight as I lay in bed I can’t help but be appreciative of strong friendships spanning four decades. My blog post will be short as I’ve spent the day sharing laughs, talk, memories, music, and fun with lifelong friends – so much so that I’m exhausted and ready for sleep. While the post may not be long I cannot overstate how much I appreciate friends who get us, who love us for who we are, and who always will be there for us.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,399

Growth:

There is a part of Fahrenheit 451 that really pulls at my soul. Clarisse is a joyful spirit who creates happiness in so many little moments of life, like tasting raindrops fresh from the sky. As she interacts with Montag it becomes readily apparent that she cannot comprehend how he is so unhappy, why anyone who is alive doesn’t feel the same joy as she does.

Montag, on the other hand, is woefully unhappy, though he has been for so long that he doesn’t even quite realize it until Clarisse wakes him from his slumber with a simple question:

“Are you happy?”

From that moment on the seed of question, of awakening, germinates and starts to take root.

As I re-read Awareness by Anthony de Mello (again), there was a moment which struck like a church bell on a cold and still winter morning. de Mello shared a story of awakening versus being asleep and it was almost word for word the soundtrack of Montag’s thoughts immediately after the question. As a result of Clarisse’s simple and innocent question Montag was awakened and spends the rest of the story in search of the enlightenment of Clarisse.

The first time I read that question in Fahrenheit 451 I paused and was almost brought to tears. I read it, reread it, and reread it. To see it appear through the fog from another beloved source was astounding.

A simple question we call ask ourselves at any time, “Are you happy?” Ask, pause, listen to your soul, and respond with gusto. I’m thankful I did.

Appreciation:

Once the boys were old enough for Becky and I to leave them home alone we started a habit which continues to this day. Three mornings each week we knock out an early morning jog. This has been an invigorating way to get exercise in with regularity AND have some guaranteed quiet time for the two of us.

After so many repetitions it is easy to forget why I appreciate this so much. This morning I was reminded of how grateful I am for starting my day with her, the opportunity to connect before the chaos and busyness of life. I can’t think of a habit which has provided more long term joy on so many levels.

Presence:

With the busyness of life at the moment I find myself relaxing alone in an unknown house. I sit in the bathtub and enjoy the quiet sound of nothing. My mind is calm, my soul at peace. Relaxation and quiet in the calm of the storm.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,398

Growth:

Attitude and positivity beat skills every single time, no question. When we are under duress it is easy to focus on skill, when we have time and breathing room we can look for a mix of both. I’m regularly being reminded of the effectiveness of mindset.

Appreciation:

Gavin’s project is one step closer to being complete! One of my favorite parts of the Eagle Scout project is having to get approval through a public hearing as it is such a unique opportunity for Scouts to get. Public speaking, government action, presentation, preparation, troubleshooting – so many skills are allowed to grow in this environment, I’m so glad he had this opportunity!

Presence:

I am totally loving the sunsets this week! Spectacular colors to match up with the scenic river valley views. Need I say anymore than this picture from this evening?

Thanks!!!

Day 3,397

Growth:

Sometimes you just gotta call an audible, even though there were plans in place. Today was a reminder that the goal is much more important than the plan!

Appreciation:

Yet again I’m grateful for the ability of the right people to hold themselves accountable, to be proactive in what they do, to need direction rather than pushing. The right people do the right things at the right time for the right reasons, and it is so rewarding to see them in action. While I’ve interviewed so many people over the past couple of months I’m beyond grateful for the small handful we’ve brought onboard, they’re making a larger positive impact and contribution than I could have imagined!

Presence:

Sure, I usually prefer to keep my mind focused on my breathing and stretching in yoga, but tonight in the quiet space I found a couple of quick and clear answers to challenges I’ve been facing. The clarity of the solutions was a result of temporarily relaxing my mind and giving myself space. In that space, in that moment the answer appeared like lightning, almost knocked me off balance and then just as quickly retreated to the back of my mind once it knew it had been seen and would not be forgotten.

To those moments of clarity which only come after much hard work in a time of quiet.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,396

Growth:

So easy to get lost in planning and dreaming and preparing, to drift away from the present moment. Today I read an insightful reminder from Anthony de Mello that has had my brain focusing more and more on the present…

Appreciation:

Slowly taking my own advice, control what I can control, I am only human, there’s only so much I can do… I’m learning slowly but surely, remembering to rest, to prioritize and focus on the most important only. Last night I slept hard and slept well. This evening I’ll get another great night of sleep and will take on a substantial number of challenges tomorrow, but the ones which are most important and the ones I know I need to get done. Tonight I’m grateful for remembering to not take on too much, for getting the rest I need to be at my best, and for remembering to control what I can control.

Presence:

On my ride home a sight caught my attention and drew me right in. The sky was a beautiful pink due to the slow sunset and its reflection on the glare ice of the Mississippi River caused the entire river to glow pink! It was awesome!!! Such an epic phenomena to witness!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,395

Growth:

As a wise flight attendant once said, “put on your face mask first before helping others.” Okay, maybe that was every single flight attendant ever 😉

Regardless, the logic holds. We are no good for others if we don’t take care of ourselves first. Rest, energize, be in best shape (mental and physical), before helping others.

Appreciation:

So much work goes into starting, and it is so easy to get distracted. I’m very grateful for taking the time to map out a plan, share the plan, communicate the plan, question the plan, adjust the plan, and follow the plan. When things are clearly laid out with room for flexibility it is so much easier to follow through.

Presence:

Always fun sharing a favorite book with friends and family. Much of my drive this morning was spent listening to Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Gavin just picked up my paper copy a few days ago and I realized it has been a little bit since I last read this gem. Outstanding work, always worth a re-read.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,395

Growth:

There are sooo many nuggets of wisdom packed into the book Awareness by Anthony de Mello that I still continue to find new insights even after a dozen or so times of reading. In many ways it feels like the stone cutter hammering away on a boulder, the repetition slowly leads to growth and progress even though it doesn’t feel like it, but after a while I am realizing that I’ve made more progress than I thought I had over the year. Slow but steady progress, intentional growth for the sake of being a better person.

Appreciation:

It is so easy for me to make poor eating choices when I don’t prep in advance. If I take the time to make my meals for the week in advance I end eating way more healthy and with much more intentionality. This morning I ended up spending a good couple of hours making my lunches and breakfasts, but they are so much more healthy AND are more along the lines of what I should be eating (complete with portion control, my achilles heel). Thanks again to James Clear and Atomic Habits for helping me find ways to create the small habits I need to hit my goals!

Presence:

Dominic has left to head back up to the Cities for school and work. For a few weeks all four of us were largely here, I am so grateful for all of the time we were able to spend together in all configurations of our family. While I would always like more time with all my family I am finding myself more and more grateful for each of the moments we have. This weekend was loaded with time together, my heart is full.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,394

Growth:

Time to re-charge doesn’t only mean being idle, it is in doing what refills and refreshes. Today it was found in completing steps towards larger goals, action, but action intentionally and towards a purpose.

Appreciation:

Such a full day today! Having time to work proactively rather than reactively felt amazing. Throw in time in the woods with Dominic, games with the boys, and even the time in which we all were taking on different household chores and it was s day of joy and productivity. A fulfilling day in so many ways!

Presence:

So many laughs with my boys tonight, always a highlight! Even laying in bed hearing them laughing together brings a smile.

Thanks!!!