Day 2,372

Growth:

Always read the instructions completely. If unsure about something it’s probably not s bad idea to ask. Lesson learned today, glad it wasn’t anything too crazy or serious. Good learning opportunity.

Appreciation:

I certainly did not plan the most recent home improvement project but I am thankful for the satisfaction that comes from making positive progress on a DIY project like this. Spending time working with my hands, doing manual labor, and figuring out what comes next was a very fulfilling experience today.

Presence:

Throughout the day there’ve been pockets of presence with each of my family members. With Dominic it was the car rides to and from church. Gavin’s were walking LuLu in the woods and while playing a few games. Becky and I had smaller moments while we ate most of lunch together and in the kitchen as I finished cooking and she walked me off the ledge while I was learning. I’m sure I’ll always wish we all have more time together, but I’m very grateful fit the presence in the unkempt we have had together.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,371

Growth:

Better to accept and move on rather than deny reality and suffer needlessly. Nope, this isn’t about something emotional, it is about making the decision to tear out the flooring than try to fix it. I know, seems a little dramatic, but it’s a perfect analogy to do much in life.

I can either sit back, deny reality, and still have to ultimately make the same decision or I can accept it and move on. So much easier to accept, put the past behind, and move on.

Appreciation:

So thankful for the opportunity to watch the hard work the boys put in all year start to pay off for them in track. So many times they had multiple daily workouts, voluntarily put in extra work, and pushed themselves hard in practice. The results really showed today with them partnering up for a 2nd place finish in the 4×800 today and in Dominic’s 2nd place finish in the 800.

The racing season has just begun and they’re already seeing how much their hard work is paying off. So excited and grateful!

Presence:

Watching the boys in their track events in each of the last two days – so much presence!

Thanks!!!

Day 2, 370

Growth:

There are times to do, times to grow, time to think, and times to relax. The magic lays in knowing which time is which and then being able to act accordingly. Today I seemed to find a nice balance, mix of all of the above. I have a tendency to really hit one harder than the other, I need to remember to take my time, zoom out to see where balance is needed, and then zoom back in.

Appreciation:

On my drive to Menomonie for work I decided to take a quick scenic stop at an area I didn’t know existed until a few days ago – Devil’s Punchbowl. Hidden away just off the Red Cedar River is a gem of a view!

The area is a depression which is partially frozen over this time of the year. As I gazed upon it icicles tumbled off in musical falls. There was a steady putter patter of the melting ice and snow dripping from ledge to ledge. It was incredible! The icicles hung around the area like lace and added to the already scenic sight.

So thankful someone fought this place up on Tuesday night, I never would have known it was here otherwise.

Presence:

While Becky and I were about three quarters of a mile from our house we both just happened to be looking up at the same time and caught a super slow motion shooting star blazing from North to South in the sky! Talk about a beautiful moment of presence, and to have the opportunity to share it with Becky made it all the more special.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,369

Growth:

Just because I’ve taught something or shared a story in the past doesn’t mean everyone has heard it. Spending 23 years with Express has led to many great memories and learning opportunities. It can be difficult trying to remember if I’ve shared things with teammates or not.

Today was a great reminder of the importance of covering the most important concepts regularly, even with teammates who may have heard them before. Throughout the years we have more context to apply to those learning experiences. Better to over share and get others more involved than to assume everyone already knows.

Appreciation:

Funny how we can start yo see certain things all around us when we choose yo look for them. Nothing has truly changed in the world, only our vision of it. As soon as we change our mindset we start to see that it has been all around us the entire time, we only had to choose it.

There have been a few instances of this for me as of late and I can’t help but chuckle each time. How much more awesomeness is there surrounding me that I just need yo choose to see? I’m so thankful for The Universe conspiring to help me!

Presence:

Quiet time in the woods. A trail with no human footprints in the snow. Finding a squirrel’s nut cache raided by someone who left only dirt and shells. Silently standing for five minutes watching two woodpeckers fight over a branch and the observing the victor quickly realize that it wasn’t that good of a spot. Laughing out loud while sliding downhill on a icy trail. Stopping to breathe in the smells of the winter-ish woods. Time alone in nature. Serene. Calming. Humbling. Exciting. Joyful. Satisfying. Enlightening.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,368

Growth:

How many times have I written about taking time to pause and breathe lately? More reminders today of why I need to keep working on this practice AND opportunities to see how I’ve been making progress. Maybe with continued practice I will continue to get better.

What’s interesting is that the practice of working on this has actually been one of the ways I’ve made the most progress! Seriously, by seeing each opportunity as a chance to learn and grow completely fakes out my brain and I see all the challenges as growth and as training reps.

My, what power our perception has on our lives.

Appreciation:

Quiet pockets of time can be so useful when I remember to use them as such. If I refrain from leaning into distractions like games, web surfing, and whatnot I have so many moments which I can bust to create, to live into my purpose, and to dream bigger.

When I think about this it seems to easy to always make the right choice, but alas, I know I don’t always make the right choice when I am tired. How to remedy this?

Rest, get sleep, and recognize the need to breathe. I cannot make right decisions when I am tired. Fuel my body correctly. I cannot operate at maximum effectiveness if my eating choices are poor. Keep my purpose in font of me. I cannot stay or used on what is important if I don’t take time to remind myself of what is important. Remember that life is fleeting. I cannot afford to waste the precious moments I have remaining.

Today I am thankful for making positive use of the pockets of time AND the reminders of how I can take advantage of them more often.

Presence:

Going for a walk over lunch in the cool air was so delightful! The breeze had just the right chill to keep me from getting too warm while being just cold enough that the air felt wonderfully fresh and crisp. What a perfect temperature this would have been for backpacking.

The sensation of movement and fresh air are so refreshing. My afternoon was very much improved by the moments of stillness outdoors. Yet again being outside leads to joy!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,367

Growth:

So much of life is balance. We have so much to balance all the time, it is a core of who we are.

Push ourselves well past our comfort zone but with the limit of guaranteed failure. Work hard in order to make our dreams possible, but not so hard that we are unable to live our dreams. Balance, balance, balance, all around us.

In all things I must remember to find balance. Breathe, think, feel, and find balance. Maybe that’s why I enjoy yoga so much, it’s all about balance.

So much more to unpack on this, I’ll save the rest for another day.

Appreciation:

I’m so thankful for The Big Dude Upstairs’ understanding of how slow if a learner I am sometimes. (feel free to swap “The Bug Dude Upstairs “ with God, the Universe, or whatever your preference may be). I swear there are so many times They remember to give me lesson after lesson after lesson to help me learn what I need. So much patience! I would have likely given up on me long before They did! From different stories to examples to words to people to experiences They seem to keep showing me the way until I actually get it.

The most recent? Lessons on judgement. So thankful for the patience and persistence of The Big Dude Upstairs.

Presence:

Speaking about travel at the library tonight with Becky was amazing on so many levels. Sharing our adventures brought back so many memories and the audience brought up so new places to add to our lists. The conversations afterwards were insightful and inspiring. Sharing all of those moments with Becky made it all the more priceless.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,366

Growth:

The joy of living into one’s purpose is incredible. Forget money, fame, and fortune – focus on brightening the world one person at a time. What greater joy is there than that?

Appreciation:

The older I get the more satisfaction I feel when reading or hearing something that really stretches my brain and makes me feel uncomfortable through challenging my beliefs. I’m currently reading The Shack and it is forcing my brain to think through different beliefs. As I work through some I can feel my beliefs shift a little. Others I work through help me feel more comfortable with my preexisting beliefs. Regardless, the struggle itself, the testing of beliefs, is such a rewarding experience.

Presence:

The weather today was so wonderful, a perfect start to Spring! Rather than stay in the office all day I went out for a nice walk over lunch. The cool breeze balanced with the warm sunshine felt incredible! Rather than an audiobook I had some chill music playing and enjoyed the relaxing think time. Ahh…. Bring on the nice weather!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,365

Growth:

Sometimes we have to remove something we’ve taken for granted to fully appreciate it. Today I am more thankful for running water than I have been in a very long time.

When we got home from church we realized we had an urgent issue. There was no water coming out of our faucets. After some quick investigative work and a visit from my buddy Todd we realized it was our well pump. Approximately seven hours and three Menards runs later we’ve got water again.

Funny how quickly I was grateful for water after it was eliminated for a while!

Appreciation:

As a kid I had the opportunity to learn so much about home improvement from Dad. Later in life I started to realize how fortunate I am to have had those experiences. Today was another perfect example. The well pump burns out ABC I need to do a combo of plumbing and electrical work. No worries! Go back to the lessons I’ve learned, hop online for a tutorial video, and next thing know I’ve installed a well pump. So thankful for that hands on experience!

Presence:

During one of my three trips to Menards today I heard Mambo No. 5 by Lou Bega. In an instant I was teleported back to October of 1999 when I was dancing with a ridiculously cute blonde girl I’d just met about 24 hours earlier. She was awesome in so many ways and by the end of that night I’d tell my parents I’d met the woman I would marry. Almost a quarter century later I still think of that night, the night I asked Becky out on a date, each and every single time I hear Mambo No. 5.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,364

Growth:

Squeezed every ounce out of today, going to bed with a short blog and am 100% okay with that. Last night’s blog went deep, today’s life went deep.

Appreciation:

So thankful for strong relationships built over many years. Here’s to putting in the difficult work needed to give them strength.

Presence:

Another blog, another post about being outside. So many eagles by the river, so many birds migrating through. Total chill and presence in the splendor of nature.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,363

Growth:

It is so easy to say yes, but so important to sometimes know when to say no. Today I said no and was greatly rewarded. So much additional calm, so much additional joy. What a fine balance to find. Today was right, other times I was wrong. Remembering to pause, to think, to have awareness – there is the magic.

Appreciation:

Tonight I’m grateful for the exercise of pausing to blog. Taking time each night to pause and review the day, my thoughts, my actions, and my choices helps me see myself more clearly.

The distance of the gap between who I am and who I am called to be is brought sharply into focus. This can be disheartening if I so choose, or it can be inspiring as I’ve made forward progress, regardless of how small. If I can see the gap I can start to close the distance. How wonderful!

This time of peace provides an opportunity for awareness – in the moment it happened AND in the moment I’m processing the moment. It is a time to review myself, to grade myself, and to find opportunities for both growth and celebration.

These moments also involve practice of giving myself grace. Realizing I’ve made mistakes, knowing I can choose to grow, and knowing that it is okay to not be perfect. I’ll never be perfect yet I should be eternally pursuing perfection with vigor and zeal in spite of knowing I’m chasing a destination which will never be reached in life.

So much time for thought, for growth. A moment if magic each night. An opportunity to grow towards becoming whole. I’m so appreciative for this practice.

Presence:

One of the key points in Awareness by de Mello is taking time to observe yourself, your thoughts, and your actions as a third party. No judgment, no change, no fixing, only listening and watching. So much can be learned about ourselves in those moments. Several of those moments today. Moments of presence, but a different depth of presence. What a gift!

Thanks!!!