Day 2,324

Growth:

Later this week I’ve got my first actual workshop on Minding the GAP: Choosing Growth, Appreciation, & Presence at the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse. Today I spent quite a few hours honing it down to what will be very close to the final product. So many hours of prep out into this labor of love and purpose, I’m excited to see how it is received.

I’m grateful for all the life I’ve lived to get me to this point. As I worked on building this I’ve felt a state of flow many times and it’s almost out itself together in the back of my consciousness. The profoundly positive impact of journaling daily continues to astound me. Taking time to process each day in stillness has helped me in so many ways.

Appreciation:

Sunny day hiking in the winter in shorts – what a perfect way to spend the afternoon! Fresh air, time outside, a little physical activity heading up and down the bluff, and time with family with no distractions. Felt like heaven to me today!

Presence:

Did you see the full moon rise this evening??? Wowza!!! The pics don’t do it justice. So beautiful to watch the colors slowly shift over a matter of minutes.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,323

Growth:

When something happens it is up to us to define if it is good or bad, the event itself isn’t either or on its own, it is us who give it a definition. We have the opportunity to create beauty in any situation, no matter how ugly it may initially seem. So many reminders of that concept today all around.

Here’s to remembering we always have a choice to make.

Appreciation:

Whew – this could be a really long post if I dove into all the details. That said, some of them aren’t for me to share. I’ll go with the short version for now and will save the long version in my heart.

Today I have a talk on my book at Root Down Yoga as a part of their Karma class to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Greater La Crosse. The class was outstanding, so many wonderfully active listeners, and so many shared moments of emotion. So much love and support from all there, I’m so thankful for the opportunity.

What really jumps out to me was the depth of relationships built and strengthened throughout. We all experience difficult times, knowing we’re not alone can be such a blessing.

Thank you so much to all the attendees for opening their hearts today! Thank you to Root Down Yoga for allowing me this opportunity! Thank you to Becky for supporting me, encouraging me, and for talking me into going to yoga several years ago.

Presence:

There were a handful of profoundly poignant emotional moments today at the presentation at Root Down. Out of respect for all involved I’ll leave out the details save one – so many hugs. So much love in each of those connections.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,322

Growth:

My months always go better when I remember to pause and plan in advance. I can 100% tell the difference between a well planned month and one that I let evolve in the moment. February is going to be a crazy busy month but I’ve got everything in place to be successful specifically because I’ve paused to plan it.

Planning two months in advance is even better but requires a lot more flexibility in order to roll with any changes from the prior month.

Appreciation:

One of the things I was most excited about today was all of the talk in our office of dreams created from our recent trip to Belize. I couldn’t help but smile when there were several teammates who were all having conversations at home about traveling more or looking at moving. While I would hate to lose any of them I’m so excited to see them dreaming bigger – how awesome is that!

It also brought back so many excellent memories of my first trip to Hawaii when I came home and announced that I would be moving to Hawaii. Sure, Becky and common sense won out in the long run, but it inspired me to dig deeper into the reasons I wanted to live there which helped me find ways to live more into that dream without actually moving. In the long run I’ve lived a happier life as a result of dreaming those sweet Hawaii dreams. So much fun hearing others have their own dreams as a result of the trip!

Presence:

After about a week without audiobooks I felt like I was really home when I drove to work this morning and fired up Homo Deus on Audible. Funny how I have started to miss not listening to a book while driving alone. The time focused on the words on my speaker were calming in addition to being enlightening!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,321

Growth:

Sometimes the right answer is to pause, breathe, and grab a book for a few moments of relaxation time. Rest up and recharge or risk falling apart somewhere along the road. Just like with cars, preventative maintenance is always preferred.

Appreciation:

While Becky and I were gone for the past week a couple of our friends stayed over at our house to help out with the boys. Honestly, they boys would’ve likely been fine on their own, but we all felt better knowing someone was there with them.

Imagine our surprise last night when we came home exhausted after 15 hours of travel and saw a note and two chocolates on our bed. The note was from our friend Steve who wrote that he’d washed the bedding to welcome us home. How awesome is that??? As an added touch there were even a couple of chocolates on the bed for us too!

Presence:

Eating dinner as a family feels even better when it’s been a while. So appreciative for the opportunity to spend time with Becky & the boys around the dining room table this evening!

Thanks!!!

Here’s the post I typed last night on my flight. Finally getting it posted 😁

Day 2,320

Growth:

Through my blogging and writing practice I’ve created an opportunity to pause and think quietly each day. With all the chaos, craziness, busyness, and whatnot in my daily life I’ve got a buffer of 15 to 60 minutes of thoughtful reflection already built in.

The benefits of this time in thought cannot be overstated. My level of joy and peace have been increased to a new level as a result of taking time for some mental self care each day. Sometimes it takes days like this of working on thought related projects to help me step back and see just how much this has helped.

Appreciation:

For some crazy reason I’m really grooving on using a flight as a mobile thought laboratory. The vast majority of my flight time has been focused on creating content for upcoming presentations while the rest was used for reading a fiction with a wonderfully thought provoking plot. For some unknown reason it feels really gratifying to work on projects like this while flying. Maybe it’s the lack of distraction? Regardless, I’m thankful for this odd new-ish habit I’ve been working on forming.

Presence:

Sitting on our plane I had a peaceful moment of calm. As I was looking up my next song choice for the soundtrack to writing I stumbled upon a video by The Strumbellas. I paused and immediately saw a connection to the topic I was working on and the song itself. Without even thinking about it much I just kept going with music from one of my favorite bands.

Next thing I knew I had my eyes closed and I was jamming out to their song Wild Sun and thinking back to their concert in 2019. During that song the crowd erupted with energy and was stomping and clapping in unison along with the song. It was such a surreal moment of awesomeness that still makes me smile when I think about it. Spending a couple of minutes on our flight going back in time a few years was truly excellent.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,319

Growth:

So many lessons to be gleaned from so many moments of life. Pausing to soak in the moment and being present allow us to learn and grow so often should we only choose to be still and listen.

Appreciation:

I’m beyond grateful for having such a positive support structure in so many aspects of my life. It is so easier to work on being a better version of me when I know so many people surround me and will be there to help and encourage me throughout anything.

Presence:

Taking a moment in all the busyness to pause, sit on the couch, close my eyes, breathe, and enjoy stillness was exactly what I needed this afternoon.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,318

Growth:

The world feels like a better place when we feel 100% comfortable picking up hitchhikers. Seriously, on our ride to town we had an open seat on our golf cart and there were people looking for a ride. We pulled over twice and helped get them closer to their destination.

Maybe the bigger view is this – in a mindset if abundance I see resources I have which can benefit others so I share them without asking anything in return. It helps the other person and causes me no harm. Abundance thinking leads to joy everytime.

Appreciation:

Tami plans so much of our Belize trips behind the scenes, I’ve only recently learned how crazy that task can be. This evening I had an exchange with the front desk that had me almost rolling with laughter while simultaneously sweating and wondering if it was actually going to get fixed. I’m thankful gif her planning, patience, and attention to detail to help create an excellent experience for our teammates.

Presence:

At mini golf tonight I laughed so hard at a joke that I almost blew my drink out my nose! Laughing, joking, and goofing off as a group, what an awesome way to spend time together.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,317

Growth:

In the words of an inspiring mentor. Give. Give more than you feel comfortable giving. Give without a thought of receiving in return. Give.

Appreciation:

Sharing moments, is there any greater joy in the world? Spending time with others creating memories through shared life experiences – especially in moments of true awe and presence.

So incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share so many amazing moments of awe today!

Presence:

A moment in a song that pulls at your heart strings unexpectedly. What a beautiful moment of presence the sound from a guitar can bring.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,316

Growth:

Living our values towards our purpose will always lead to joy.

Appreciation:

Today I spent time in a village which only recently had a road built to it. Before that the only way in and out was by boat. In that village were so many reminders of how important simplicity is to our lives and wellbeing.

Case in point? The five kids playing soccer in a field. Not one shoe amongst any of them. All laughing, playing, having fun, exercising, and enjoying each other’s company.

So many reminders of how life should be lived.

Presence:

There was a moment on the boat in which it was almost moved to tears and had to breathe to work through it. The wind in my hair, the sun on my face, and the jaw dropping sights all around. What caused the emotion? Was it everything the jungle was sharing with my senses? No.

What moved my emotions was the sense of awe I heard in the voices of everyone else on the boat. That moment and those like it will inspire and motivate me for years.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,315

Growth:

Regardless of whether I’m on vacation or not I’ll never regret getting a run in before breakfast. Our run this morning in the sun, heat, and humidity was a bit sticky and a ton awesome! So glad we carved out time and got my butt moving this morning.

Appreciation:

The peace and joy of realizing one is living into one’s purpose is indescribable. My heart is beyond full and bursting with joy.

Presence:

After breakfast my teammates and their spouses headed back to their rooms to prep for our upcoming excursion. Becky and I sat at the table and enjoyed the last of our coffee as we took in the morning. The radio played 7 Years by Lukas Graham and I caught myself completely entranced by the music and lyrics.

Soon, I’ll be 60 years old, my daddy got 61
Remember life and then your life becomes a better one
I made the man so happy when I wrote a letter once
I hope my children come and visit, once or twice a month

Lukas Graham – 7 Years

Becky left the table for a moment and I walked out to the dock. I gazed across the lagoon, past the mountains, and beyond.

I missed Dad, wished he were here to enjoy this moment, and smiled when I realized he was.

Thanks!!!