Day 3,393

Growth:

The only way to become excellent is to be endlessly fascinated by doing the same thing over and over.

James Clear, Atomic Habits

Appreciation:

As Chuck Palahniuk put it in his book Fight Club: It’s only after we lose everything that we are free to do anything.

A fresh start, a clean slate, the perfect opportunity to unleash the true self.

Several times today there was pure openness and sharing even though it could have been uncomfortable. Rather than share things as if like them to be I shared them as they are AND was candid of where I see them going.

Unguarded. Freedom.

Presence:

The moment of quiet, when all the dust from thought settles, and everything shifts sharply into focus. Seeing the path with clarity. The rush of confidence, the optimism of a bright future, the understanding of a strong foundation built.

The moment the eyes see with clarity.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,392

Growth:

Which attitude do I choose?

Attitude is a choice, a choice to be made each moment of each day.

Today I chose often, occasionally my emotion chose. Tomorrow I will grow as a result of both.

I’m reminded of a quote from Ender’s Game:

He could see Bonzo’s anger growing hot.  Hot anger was bad.  Ender’s anger was cold, and he could use it.  Bonzo’s anger was hot, and so it used him.

Orson Scott Card, Ender’s Game

Appreciation

I’m amazed at how easily one can flow between emotion and calm logic. So much of my life has been ruled by my emotional self, as I grow older it becomes easier and easier to cede control to logical awareness. As my emotions boil up my awareness of that heat almost automatically signals for the cooling waters of calm to be released.

All is temporary, why burn emotional energy when one could less stressfully and more productively channel logic?

Presence:

My ride to work really helped me shift into the correct mindset even before stress arose. Working through Atomic Habits, reviewing Awareness, and quiet times between both as I paused to think and reflect filled my reservoirs before I knew I would need them.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,390

Growth:

There’s a time to relax and a time to run. You can’t only do one all the time, there is a balance to be struck. Wisdom is knowing which is right for each moment, and being okay with the balance changing every other second!

Appreciation:

I’ve got a tendency to read, re-read, re-re-read, and re-re-re-read books that get me thinking. The most recent iteration has me reading Atomic Habits for at least the fifth time and I’m enjoying it just as much as the first time! So many nuggets of wisdom within, it always inspires me to pause and be aware of my actions, to think about exactly what I am doing and why, and if I were the person I truly want to be what should I be doing instead. Just as always I catch myself pausing in between chapters to let it all soak in and to take action the right way.

Presence:

While there were a handful of very present moments with individuals today there was an overall shift in my presence today. Thanks to the chapter of Atomic Habits I read this morning I was examining so many of my little reactions to different stimuli from an almost third party perspective. In a mash up of Atomic Habits and Awareness by Anthony de Mello I was careful to observe from afar as if I were watching a play, completely without judgement, and without attempting to fix anything. It was pure observation for the sake of learning and understanding. In that search for meaning I found myself more engaged in each moment than usual!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,389

Growth:

One doesn’t need to set high standards and goals for the RIGHT people, rather, one merely needs to show the path and allow room for their growth. How time has been wasted throughout history by attempting to push others ahead rather than showing a path and allowing them to pull us along with.

Appreciation:

Last night I had an awesome moment of parenting wisdom with Gavin. From the kitchen I heard a sound of deep frustration, a big sigh, and then the sounds of the laptop and computer parts being put away. When he sat in the living room with me I asked what was up.

The project he’d put quite a few hours into hit a snag and was irreparably destroyed. I asked a bunch of questions to figure out a way to fix it for him. When he quickly realized what I was doing he paused me with a, “Dad, it’s not a big deal, I learned from it.” And that was that. He moved on.

How many times as a parent have I wanted to fix something for the boys, whether important or insignificant, in order to help them find joy? How much better is it for them to have had experiences of things not working out so they can build resilience and learn from mistakes? I’m sure there’s a balance and there’s a certain amount of support needed, but I’m afraid I too often lean towards fixing rather than allowing.

Thanks for the reminder to let you grow on your own Gavin!

Presence:

Very interesting day from the standpoint of presence. As I reflect on the day I realize I was 100% present in significantly more moments of the day than usual. Part of it due to the crazy pace of the day, part of it due to the conversations, and some due to random-ish circumstances. Regardless of the reason I can see why it was a +2 kind of day!

Thanks!!

Day 3,388

Growth:

Working off a list really helps me stay on track. By following right through it o was able to get almost everything done this weekend – and get some bonus steps in as I kept focused on my goals.

Appreciation:

This morning Mom and I had an excellent and engaging conversation about many things ranging from family history to work to life as parents. Always grateful for the conversations like these that just happen and lead to a better understanding of family and some insights into family history!

Presence:

My brother and I had a wonderful time talking about vacations this evening. Nothing like sharing one of my passions with one of my favorite people. So excited to see which of the seeds planted during that conversation take hold.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,387

Growth:

We do more of what we focus on. Thanks to the ongoing focus on what my biggest goals for the year are I got my first backpacking / hiking adventure all set and planned! Super excited to get this year rolling!

Appreciation:

I’ve loved and appreciated the bonus time with family over the holidays. Between work and travel for Christmas it’s been a nonstop go go go kind of couple of weeks. This weekend we’re at home with minimal plans, lots of time to just be home and get back into the swing of things. Here’s to normalcy!

Presence:

Yeah, I’m kind of a sucker for this and there’s an ongoing theme pretty much since the time I’ve started blogging. Getting outside, especially hiking with family, is where my soul feels most at peace and free. The woods are home.

This afternoon the weather was pretty chilly, but the sun was plenty to keep us warm as we hiked through Perrot State Park. We spent time walking, talking, taking in the sights, and also the sounds of the ice. Amongst the most memorable moments today were the sounds of the ice singing with its cracks and heaves.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,386

Growth:

The wrong people seem alright, the right people blow your socks off. Remember not to settle, keep meeting new people until you are thoroughly impressed.

Appreciation:

When sharing our story we often rekindle the passion for what we do and what we have grown through.

Presence:

One more quick family dinner and a board game with the four of us before Dominic heads out on his next adventure were an absolute treat!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,385

Growth:

Find the right people – the ones who wade into a storm of chaos, fight their butts off, quickly solve the challenges they face, and smile all the way through. Those are the warriors who are fun to work with.

Appreciation:

Small actions make all the difference. Jim Collins talks about making a 20 mile march as a comparison to keeping a slow but steady consistent pace in order to make significant progress without burning out. As 2025 slowly takes hold I’m working on one little step at a time, one foot in front of the other, and while there’s not a crazy leap of progress there are subtle signs of awareness and change. In the past I’ve attempted sweeping changes, this time around I’m focused on slow and steady improvement, less, but more.

Presence:

Going in a slightly funny sideways direction on this one. I had an amazing dream last night! In my sleep I was traveling to Iceland again, which in of itself was an excellent start to a dream. As I went through security I was talking with all the security and airport people on a first name basis as I’d been there so many times I’d gotten to know them all so well!!!

That’s a dream that left me smiling AND gave me another life goal!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,384

Growth:

Take time to get done what needs to get done. Cut out the crap that doesn’t lead towards goals and dreams. Important trumps the merely urgent.

Appreciation:

This was exactly the day I needed. No agenda, no phones, no plans. After waking up and having breakfast I hit my pile of work from the past week that I’ve needed to get caught up on and enjoyed coffee while working. Get in a run with Becky, shower up, and get right back to work. Have lunch, chill, update my dream list, play a game with the family, get a little more work done, and then wrap up my 2025 planning session. Off to bed shortly and starting fresh tomorrow.

Having a day to purely catch up was tonic for my mind!

Presence:

So many moments of thoughts, so many notes scribbled into my phone. The past few months have been my preparation for planning for 2025 and getting my goals in line. Each moment was a fleeting thought, but when combined with all the others there’s an awesomely powerful flow of cohesive thought. As input together my 2025 goals and plans they almost wrote themselves!

Thanks!!!