Day 3,780

Growth:

Reading and re-reading books, amazing at how everything strikes just a little different each new read. As I’ve written before, I love the phrase, no one steps in the same river twice, the river is constantly changing, as are we. Re-reading The Book of Joy has already caught me slightly differently than in the past. In the past thirteen months I’ve read a handful of books which have helped to shift my perspective a bit – including The Choice, Man’s Search for Meaning, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, and Endurance. As I read The Book of Joy this time through I keep finding myself drawn in more and more deeply.

Appreciation:

There are some people who will push us outside of our comfort zone, they push us past the edge of where we think we can go, and help us grow. Whether it is something like coaching us through a difficult professional challenge or helping us look at the world through a slightly different perspective or as simple as helping us stretch a little further in a yoga pose, the friends that are willing to push us to better than we were are the friends we should surround ourselves with.

Presence:

After a week of frigid weather we got our first run in with the three of us together in over a week! Having Becky with Leia and I made the pack feel complete, what a perfect way to kick off the week! Regardless of how the rest of the day would pan out we started with a cool run under the full-ish moon and on fresh snow – can’t go wrong with a start like that!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,779

Growth:

A beautiful quote / story that seems extraordinarily fitting today, a personal reminder of one of the biggest ways I can work to close the gap between who I am and who I should be:

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Appreciation:

A change of perspective can make a large difference in the experience. Church this morning was very similar yet extraordinarily different than our normal experience, and the change made a large difference in the way I soaked in the message. I’m very grateful for the subtle shift creating a very positive experience!

Presence:

This morning we went to a different church and had an opportunity to re-connect with and old friend we hadn’t seen in person for years. It was wonderful getting to know him again catching up with all the ways life has changed. Gotta love those unexpected moments in which we’re able to get bonus time with those who’ve made a positive impact on our lives!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,778

Many hours were spent at the gym today for Gavin’s powerlifting meet. What made it all the more awesome were all of the guests throughout including Rachel and our nieces, my mom, and even a surprise guest appearance by Dominic! So much more fun taking in an event like that while sharing it with others!

Gavin definitely gave us a show, he was 100 pounds out of first place with the last event remaining, the deadlift. With his last lift of the evening he picked up 530 pounds and won his weight class by only 5 pounds. Talk about an exciting finish!

All in all an awesome powerlifting meet for sure!

Thanks!!!