Day 2,392

Growth:

Today I spent much of the day putting in our new flooring in the basement. It was very tedious and time consuming, but oddly soothing and relaxing. No stress, only slow and consistent activity as I worked through a bevy of challenges to figure out. Rather than get frustrated I reminded myself that this was something I enjoy doing, challenges and all, and it helped me keep a positive attitude. Funny how easy it is to smile and have a heart full of joy – even during difficulty – when we choose to.

Appreciation:

LuLu and I headed out to her favorite trail late in the afternoon when I needed to take a break from construction. While we were out there was no one else around, just us and the woods. We took our time walking, me observing nature, LuLu smelling it. At one point we were buzzed by a bald eagle who seemed to be checking us out.

Shortly after there was a little disturbance in the water and I stood still to see what was happening. Sure enough, a beaver slowly swam into view. I’d heard a sound earlier in our walk that was a big loud splash, I’m wondering if he splashed his tail at us on the walk out. He took his time and then paused and was focused intently on LuLu – who had no idea the beaver even existed as she kept moving from interesting smell to interesting smell. The beaver swam off eventually.

After the beaver we saw a single pelican trolling for fish in a small bay created by the flooding. From there my focus went to a woodpecker who was industriously pecking away at a dead tree less than 10 yards away from me at my eye level. It put on quite the display for us!

On the walk back I noticed a large lump on log which was almost submersed in the water. Sure enough, it was our beaver again! I again took some time to just chill and watch before he opted to swim away.

The walk wrapped up with a bright blue stand of spring flowers, what a treat!

Presence:

Standing in the woods alone with LuLu watching nature was incredible. Nothing in the world mattered in those moments, only the appreciation of all the wondrous gifts The Big Dude Upstairs has created. What an hour it was!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,391

Growth:

When we live into our purpose we have the opportunity to make positive ripples in the lives of others. Trust that you are making a difference even when – especially when – you don’t hear feedback. When you do get those little bits of feedback bottle them up as the fuel you need to encourage you to do more to live into your purpose.

Appreciation:

In Winona we spent much of the day in our office painting and moving workstations around. The change from our usual business opened a door to different conversations and interactions than were used to. Such a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other better while laughing a little louder.

Presence:

Watching the boys’ track meet tonight was a blast! The weather felt like late May and they boys seemed to be in late season form. So much excitement, so much fun!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,390

Growth:

As a leader, a dad, a friend – it can be difficult at times to know when to step in and take action and when to allow space to help others learn. Today I had the opportunity to be on both sides of the solution, one involved stepping in and the other involved stepping aside. Both are difficult, one isn’t necessarily easier than the other. I’m grateful for all the times people have been there for me stepping in or aside when that’s what I’ve needed. I’m just as grateful for all the times people did the opposite of what was needed as those were just critical in helping me learn.

Another reason to pause and think before I react – to consider if I should step in or step aside.

Appreciation:

I’m pretty sure I’ve written about something like this in past blogs, but it 100% is worth writing about again tonight. With as busy as life is for all of us in the Spring the weeknights when we’re able to eat supper as a family are truly a treat. Having all four of us around the kitchen table sharing a meal while talking about our day is amongst some of my favorite time in the world.

Not long ago it seemed we’d have kids in the house forever. Now it’s almost impossible to realize we only have another four months or so before Dominic leaves for school. Each meal together has been a gift, each becomes more and more precious.

Presence:

When talking about presence I’m often grateful for something I saw. Today it was a smell that totally grounded me in the present. I was driving home from the store and the smell of hot pavement totally caught my attention! Out of the blue I realized that the unusually hot weather made it smell like summer – how awesome???

Thanks!!!

Day 2,389

Growth:

When I look for something too intently I often miss what I should really be seeing. If I put too much focus on something specific it becomes easy to miss all the other things in the periphery.

Conversely, if I don’t focus I may see the big picture but may miss the little detail which makes all the difference. In going to wide I may miss the trees to the forests.

Balance, balance, balance. Maintain the awareness of knowing when to zoom in and when to zoom out. Notice when one is being overused and switch gear to the other. Balance. Both are right when used in tandem.

Appreciation:

As an example of the above, my most recent read has been a great example of the beauty to be found in knowing when yo zoom in and when to zoom out.

In the first few times I’ve read The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss I was laser focused on figuring out the plot and trying to anticipate where it was going. This time I’ve chosen almost the opposite, I’m sitting back and enjoying the story as it unfolds.

As I lay in bed each night my brain wanders back to the story, to the detail of the character interactions. In those moments I dissect their actions to see what lessons I can extract. One of the beautiful things about fiction is the psychology in a vacuum. I bore down into the details as I’d see how I can grow.

I zoom out to absorb and I see so much more than ever before, and then I zoom in and learn from the details. Balance.

Presence:

This afternoon I had the privilege of presenting to the one of the latest Express Leadership Academy classes on the topic of career pathing and teammate development. Having an opportunity to give back to the organization who’s had a profound positive influence on my life is something I’m very grateful for. I’m wanting to do right by all the participants I gave it my all and was rewarded with an awesome flow state of 100% presence. Those 90-ish minutes flew by in a flash yet I savored each.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,388

Growth:

Prepare for the worst, expect the best, and make the most of what happens. Funny how easy it can be to worry about a possible issue, to be aloof and ignorant of possible danger, and then live in the world of “what if’s.” Maintain a stoic mindset, stay calm, remember and trust your ability to adapt and your resilience. Don’t jump to conclusions, stay rooted in the present, and roll with whatever comes your way.

Appreciation:

Seeing someone really rise to the occasion to take on a challenge is an inspiring thing. Several teammates have done that recently and seeing their increased efforts lead to increased success is wildly motivating! The drive and grit they show help fan the flames in my own soul. When we step up it is important to remember the positive impact we can have on others as well as on ourselves.

Presence:

What beautiful weather we had for the track meet today! The sun was out, the wind cooled the heat, and it really felt like summer. During my walk to the pole vaulting pit to watch Gavin I paused my thoughts and soaked in the perfect track weather.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,387

Growth:

Leadership is quite often the practice of edges. It is leading others to find their edge, the edge of what is possible that lies just beyond the edge of comfort. Leadership is walking with others, arm in arm, towards a destination which pushes us both beyond the edge of known and into the edge of unknown. It is leading someone right up to the edge, letting them get closer than ever, to look over, to get beyond where they’ve ever been – all while holding them safely, keeping them out of harm’s way while helping them find the growth that comes in discomfort. Leadership is all about practicing the edges.

Appreciation:

Time with the boys in delightful times is fantastic. Time with the boys during times of difficulty is purposeful, satisfying, and rewarding. Dominic and I have had plenty of that during the past day while working on his Eagle project. It would be so much easier if it just went well, but the lessons he is learning through this are truly priceless. We’ve gotten to work together through dons difficult stuff and seeing how he’s growing through it has made me proud as a dad.

Another reminder that good times are delightful, but difficult times are when we grow.

Presence:

Sometimes moments of presence can even happen in dreams! Before my alarm went off I had an interesting work related dream. In it a profoundly insightful idea flowed from my mouth as I spoke with a client. It was so intense both my dreaming mind and my waking mind picked up on it. I jolted awake with the idea blazed into my brain. How awesome to even have that level of presence in dream?

Thanks!!!

Day 2,386

Growth:

Pausing to be aware of my thoughts and actions as they happen leads to many insightful moments. The clarity they provide in the fog clouding the gap between who I am and who I should be is very helpful.

Appreciation:

As we wrapped up our extremely fun weekend we chilled as a family to watch Ted Lasso while eating some ‘za. We don’t have much downtime as a family, this little pocket of it felt amazing as we dive headlong into another busy week.

Presence:

I’m not sure which is more fun – hiding Easter eggs or finding Easter eggs! What a great time we had as a family while the boys were looking for eggs at Mom’s this morning. Many laughs, shared memories, and fun.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,385

Growth:

Time with family doesn’t need to be well structured or be planned. All that is needed is time together without distraction. Time together is amazing.

Appreciation:

What a positively amazing day on so many levels! So much fun, so many laughs, and so many memories created. Such a wonderful Easter weekend at Mom’s!

Presence:

Time spent at the zoo today was awesome as always. The novelty of seeing wildlife not normally seen always quickly focuses me on the present. Specifically, the ostrich. What a wildly complicated and uncanny animal!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,384

Growth:

Deadlines and constraints can be wonderfully productive and positive when used appropriately. Sometimes they are exactly the catalysts necessary to complete a project.

Appreciation:

Taking a little bit of time at the end of the week to clean up all the stuff that has littered the inbox, my desktop, and my literal desktop really leave me with such a calmness. Today I made sure I had everything prepared for next week and everything cleaned up from this week. When I start the work week on Monday I’ll be starting from an awesome place and I’ll be both well rested and prepared.

Presence:

Spending time lost in conversation at Mom’s – no stress, no electronics, and no distractions. Only conversation. Such an enjoyable time!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,383

Growth:

I went in reverse order tonight which really helped lead me to this topic.

In the moment in which something happens I have a very specific reaction and thought process based on the person I am in that moment. As time passes and I look back to that same event my perspective is often very different thanks to the additional experiences I’ve had since then. Sometimes this can lead to a little frustration at how the event was initially handled, but I need to remember to give myself grace. The me of back then did not have the life experiences I do today which would have led to a different reaction.

The me of now then has to help make mental notes for the the future me in order to react to similar situations the way I would like to handle them now but with the understanding that the me of now and the me of the future and the me after the future me will all likely look at the situation differently thanks to their different experiences.

Ouch… I think I just broke my brain. 😉

Here’s the short version – remember and analyze past events to focus on growth rather than to judge myself and my actions in the past. Growth and grace over judging.

Appreciation:

Well written fiction does an amazing job of dredging up long lost memories. As I’ve been reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss there’ve been a handful of times in which it took me way back to experiences in middle school, high school, and college. So much fun thinking back to those old memories. The person I was when they happened is so different and yet somewhat similar to the person I am now. So interesting to see the difference in perspective from then to now!

Presence:

How awesome is it to hear the birds chirping and singing in the morning? So glad Spring is here, little things like the singing of birds really help center my brain on the present moment.

Thanks!!!