Month: September 2025

Thankful for Assuming Positive Intent, Music Therapy, & Connectedness

Day 3,644

Growth:

So often all we need is all around us, it is up to us to LISTEN for the answer. I was caught off guard while re-reading one of my favorite books today. They very briefly hit upon the concept of “Assuming positive intent,” and the profoundly positive impact this can have on our lives and interactions.

Rather than immediately assuming “the other side” is trying to destroy our nation/world what if we instead paused and considered their actions/words from the starting point of assuming positive intent. Why are they responding as they are? What is the underlying issue leading them down this path? Quite often it is likely similar to our own reasons – just executed differently. If we assume positive intent we can more easily listen to understand rather than listen to prove wrong.

This will be in the forefront of my mind – assume positive intent before being so quick to judge.

Appreciation:

Part way through my drive up north this morning I realized I needed some music therapy for my soul. I like to utilize my drive time as learning time, focusing on how to improve myself with what could so easily be dead time rather than alive time. I feel more productive when I spend the time filling my brain with ideas, pausing to digest and consider what I’ve learned.

This morning I needed to spend some time in quiet calm, listening to music to relax my mind and soul. It was time for some therapy, some rejuvenation. I found it in music. For almost half an hour I went from song to song to soak up the energy I needed to feel recharged and ready for the day.

By the time I got to the office my head and heart were in the right palce to dive in and make a positive impact.

Presence:

With so much discontent and anger and hate and divisiveness in our world I found sanctuary and solace in M83’s song Outro.

While driving to the Eau Claire office this morning I almost had to pull the car over as I was completely overcome with the emotion of pure love and connectedness with all people and all creation while this song reached its crescendo.

Pause your life, shut everything else off, turn on this song, close your eyes, and feel the love and connection you have with all people. I hope you will be moved as I was – awakened in the love of the connections we all share.

When it is my time to go this song (from 1:30 on) will be the last music my soul plays before moving on. Beautiful, breathtaking.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Feeling Uncomfortable, Outstanding Teams, & Catching Up

Day 3,643

Growth:

This evening I am appreciative for the people who are able to help us pause, reflect, and consider different perspectives. They challenge us in a very positive way, and it is greatly appreciated!

Appreciation:

Getting back to a work team and seeing how well they work together, live the values, and grow into our purpose was so rewarding and invigorating! I cannot begin to share how grateful I am for the way my teams have continued to step up and grow into our purpose.

Presence:

Getting my run in with Becky after a long couple of days and short night of sleep felt way better than it had any right to. After not being home for a couple of nights it was amazing to spend time running with her and catching up with her on the past couple of days.

Hopping on FaceTime and catching up with Dominic on everything he has had going on throughout the week was awesome! So much fun hearing about his classes and all he has going on. Definitely not the same as when he was living at home, but a wonderful second choice. I’m deeply appreciative for the opportunity to spend time connecting with him even though he’s hours away.

Spending time with Gavin catching up with how his school day has been over dinner was wonderful! Hearing about his school, upcoming exams, football practice, and whatnot – always interesting to hear about. Then catching some time on couch talking with him while we watch his favorite show and bond over it.

A day full of moments of catching up with my favorite people!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Simple & Steady, Road Time, and Reconnection

Day 3,642

Growth

The older I get, the more I realize that the simple answers are often the best ones. Success doesn’t usually come from some groundbreaking idea, it comes from discipline. From sticking with the basics, following through, and doing the things we already know we should be doing.

In today’s sales leadership training, I was reminded of that. Every insight, every takeaway, could be traced back to something simple and steady. Nothing flashy, just the fundamentals done well and done consistently. It’s not about reinventing the wheel, it’s about remembering to actually use it.

Appreciation

Today I’m especially thankful for road time. There’s something about being in a car with a teammate, a friend, or family member, just miles of highway in front of you and hours of uninterrupted conversation. That kind of time gives space to share stories, laugh, and understand each other on a deeper level.

This summer held a lot of that for me: road trips with Becky, Dominic, and Gavin out to Colorado… one-on-one time with Gavin as we drove to the Canadian Rockies and back… college visits with Becky and Gavin on the East Coast. Each of those trips gave us hours together that I’ll never forget. And just recently, I had the same experience with a teammate. It wasn’t about work titles or tasks—it was about being people, learning more about each other, joking, and connecting. That quiet focus time is one of the best ways to really grow a relationship.

Presence

Today’s sales leadership training also gave me the gift of presence. Reconnecting with people I’ve known for decades, trainers from headquarters, fellow franchisees, friends I hadn’t seen in a while. Swapping stories, celebrating milestones (including one becoming a first-time dad!), and just laughing together.

Yes, I learned plenty from the training itself. But what stuck with me most was simply being present in those conversations. Hugging an old friend. Listening to someone’s story. Smiling and laughing together. That presence, that shared connection, is what I carried home most today.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Decisive, Reading, & a Client Meeting

Day 3,641

Growth:

Over a dozen years ago I read Decisive by Dan & Chip Heath, a book about how to make better decisions. This morning I picked it back up and started reading it again for the first time in about four years.

As I worked my way through the first few chapters I was shocked to see how many of the concepts I have applied to my life without directly realizing it! From the ways I attempt to widen my perspective to remembering to consider opportunity to attaining distance I was surprised to see just how much of a positive impact this book has had on my life.

Appreciation:

Interesting, I was going to go in a wildly different direction on this one until I typed the above paragraphs. What really sticks out today for a variety of reasons is my gratitude for learning to love reading and growth!

For many years I’ve been consuming at least three to four dozen books (almost nine dozen in some years). They keep me thinking, exploring new concepts, and help to keep me off balanced and exploring. The majority leave a lasting impact, some have become a part of who I am. Others have pissed me off as they’ve helped me see something from a perspective that makes me uncomfortable in the moment – but ultimately help me grow as a person.

I cannot begin to fathom how much more positive my life has been thanks to reading!

Presence:

Spending time in an appointment getting to know a prospect well with my teammates was nothing short of splendid! I was 100% focused in those moments, nothing else existed beyond that conference room. Sharing the moment with my teammates was amazing!!!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for a Small World, a Busy Work Week, & Family Meals

Day 3,640

Growth:

The world is such a smaller place than we think it is. We met the partner of one of our friends for the first time today while we were out on a hike together. Within ten minutes we found a couple of very clear connections we had through other people – it was wild!

This past week I mentioned the focus on connecting with others, crazy to see how much easier it can be when we have a very easy yet solid starting ground.

Appreciation:

I’ve got a sales leadership training this week and was getting everything packed up today. I’m reminded of how much I appreciate not traveling for work very often. Back in the day there would be some hotel stays and long days of driving 5+ hours on a regular basis. So much travel time, so much time away from home and family. Now this is very much the minority, even the driving has been decreased tremendously.

This next week is going to be pretty bonkers – lots of travel, a hotel stay, back to back to back meetings on multiple days. That said, I’m still smiling at the reminder of how crazy life used to be with regularity. This is a blip, not the norm, and I’m grateful for that!

Presence:

Each lunch and supper this weekend included the entire family thanks to Dominic being back home for a short visit. So nice being able to spend time around the dinner table together, talking, laughing, and enjoying each others company. While there were many moments of presence today it was each of these times together which really shine in mind and soul this evening!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for a Day of Long Walks Bookending a Garage Clean Up

Day 3,639

Growth:

Remember to not have too high of expectations and to appreciate something as being different even if it is related to something similar.

The Long Walk by Stephen King is one of my favorite novels, a nonstop story of a competition in which 100 people enter and only 1 survives to win at the end. The boys have both also read it and are big fans.

This evening we watched the movie version of it together and I caught myself remembering to keep low expectations and to appreciate it as being different than the book. Without giving spoilers let’s just say that last piece of advice was very helpful!

We all enjoyed the movie and had a great conversation on the way home afterwards.

Appreciation:

Today’s biggest goal was cleaning out all the old construction and woodworking materials from the garage. It is amazing to see just how much can pile up so quickly! Taking time to get everything deep cleaned and loaded into a dumpster was much more rewarding than I’d expected. Nothing like a good purge to help clear the mind!

My theme for 2025 has been “Less, but More” and this certainly fit that mindset!

Presence:

This is funny, I just realized I’m blogging reverse chronologically today!

My day started off with a walk with Becky and Leia down Fisherman’s Road. I love starting Saturday mornings with a nice long walk, taking in nature while talking with Becky. It’s such a peaceful time of day, and I appreciate the time to be 100% focused on the moment. A wonderful start to my day today!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Outside My Comfort Zone, Looking for the Helpers, & a Road Trip

Day 3,638

Growth:

While I may really appreciate time alone and time with a small group I also need to remember that time with larger groups or with people I don’t know very well is how I best build a sense of community, how I best live into my purpose, and how I best focus on love of others.

Appreciation:

Becky reminded me of an old saying from Mister Rogers:

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping’

Fred Rogers

All around are so many opportunities to focus on those who are helping, who are making a positive impact in the lives of others – especially during times of difficulty and challenge.

Presence:

This evening was full of laughter and fun with an RV full of other football parents. The road trip was invigorating, the food was delicious, the game was fun, and the company was outstanding! Definitely a trip I’ll remember fondly.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Nudges, an F1 Day, & Lunch Outside

Day 3,637

Growth;

When the universe seems to nudge you in s specific direction, pay attention. It’s probably helping you see something you haven’t noticed yet.

Over the past week or so there has been and more nudges to stay focused and to be more social, time to lean into that a bit more!

Appreciation:

This was a very full day! from start to end it seemed as if I were on a mission of doing something at full speed while occasionally slamming the brakes, hitting the hairpin corner, and then accelerating in a different direction. I am exhausted. Very productive, very positive, and all good – just a lot of a lot! Looking forward to pausing to breathe…. eventually? 🤷‍♂️

Presence:

Today I took the advice of one of my teammates and ate lunch outside at the picnic table. Such s perfect day for sitting outside to decompress for a little while!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Love Over Hate, Hard Moments, & Reckoning

Day 3,636

Growth:

No matter how deeply we disagree with someone’s ideas, murder is never the answer.

No matter how much we disagree with someone’s ideas murder is never the answer. There are so many other ways to deal with disagreement, taking a life cannot be the resolution.

Tonight a family has lost their dad due to hate and fear.

There is always a better way of overcoming. As people face fear and hate with more fear and hate there is no positive end to the story, only a sickening spiral of more and more hate and fear. Is it so difficult to face fear with love instead?

Appreciation:

I don’t know about you, but when I think of “gratitude” and “appreciation” I usually think of happiness. That’s not always the case. Sometimes life hands us challenges so inconceivable that appreciation feels impossible. That said, those are so often the moments in which we have so much to be grateful for. We don’t have to be grateful for the tragedy itself—let’s be real, it sucked. But we can choose how to move forward. But we can’t change it once it has happened, we can only choose how to move forward, how to use that as an opportunity for growth.

Today was rough for me, much more than I ever would have expected, but I think it was largely because it caused a very necessary moment of awareness. While I wish Charlie Kirk would not have been killed, I cannot change it. I can remember this moment, remember the lessons learned about the true vile ugliness of hate and fear – regardless of whether you feel the other person is right or wrong – is never the right answer. Love is. Rather than lashing out in anger or in fear, reach out in love.

Presence:

Oof, this one hit hard today. I’m still not one hundred percent sure why this one after so many others, so many that one seems to almost become numb to all of the ongoing gun violence and loss of life. I wasn’t a fan of his—I disagreed with him on so many levels—but the sudden, instant loss of a life was still jarring. I really don’t have a better way of stating it, the clarity of that moment, the awareness of the wrongness… maybe it had more to do with the frustration and anger I’ve felt over so many things related to politics, seeing where it can go if completely unchecked and unhinged to such an insane extreme, made me instantly aware of how wrong my low level anger and fear are, how wrong I am to fight fear with fear rather than love.

In an instant, I saw where unchecked fear leads—and it was horrifying. Violence, hate, and fear are never the answer. Sometimes there will be pushback, disagreement, but it should always be with love rather than hate.

A wise man tried to teach us that 2,000 years ago—and we killed Him for it. His response was forgiveness. His response was love. That’s the path we should choose too: love over fear.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Leading, Challenges, & Purpose

Day 3,635

Growth:

What is it about leading others often a causes us to push past the discomfort in effort to help bring out the best in others? How can one muster the confidence to do the difficult even if leadership isn’t pushing us to do so? There’s a magic to be found there for sure!

Appreciation:

One of the things I’m most grateful for today are all of the frustrations, challenges, and mistakes I’ve made that have led me to today. In the moment they were incredibly maddening and humbling, but with the beauty of hindsight I’m able to see that they’ve all led me to here.

Here’s to the bumps in the road, the uphill challenges, and all of the difficulties. They are typically far from joyful in the moment, but they can lead to the growth and grace we need.

Presence:

This evening we had an opportunity to live into our purpose in a small but clear way. The sense of connection, of helping, of being a part of something much bigger than either of us was awesome.

Thanks!!!