Day 3,837

Growth:

A quote from Digital Minimalism really hit home for me today. As someone who was once scolded on a vacation with friends for “pacing too much and making everyone nervous,” relaxing has sometimes been difficult for me. Reading this quote helped me see that I may still be an odd ball, but there’s at least a few others out there with similar thoughts…

“I never understood the joy of watching other people play sports, can’t stand tourist attractions, don’t sit on the beach unless there’s a really big sand castle that needs to be made, don’t care about what the celebrities and politicians are doing. … Instead of all this, I seem to get satisfaction only from making stuff. Or maybe a better description would be solving problems and making improvements.” – Pete Adeney 

Appreciation:

My drive to work this morning was dominated by the storm that was rolling in from the west. After I dropped off Leia in Holmen the lightning seemed to explode nonstop! In each direction was a bright and clear bolt followed by another and another and another. What added to the spectacular show was the fact that the rain had not yet begun to fall, the clarity across the miles of flat river valley between the bluffs was superb! As the miles ticked away the rain then began to hammer my car in buckets, and then the metallic clinking of hail filled my ears.

While I drove through the pounding of the storm I just kept smiling and enjoying the absolute show Mother Nature was putting on! So much fun catching an early morning storm just as the sun is about to rise. As I turned off towards Arcadia the storm shifted to my rearview mirror and clear skies and the pink hues of the upcoming sunrise shown through my windshield. Such a dazzling dichotomy, a wonderful view!

Presence:

Being fully engaged in conversation with a dear friend, listening with full attentiveness and without judgement. Sharing in the difficult moments of life. The moments when friendships grow stronger, reminding us that difficulty and challenge can lead to growth should we choose to look for it. Reminding us that the most important thing we can do in our lives is to be present for each other.

Thanks!!!