Reaching back over 3,000 years we can still learn lessons through the stories of others. The story of Achilles in the Iliad is very much focused on his ego, his pursuit of Kleos ~ glory. From the words written by Homer so long ago we can learn the tragedy that follows pursuit of immortality, especially through feeding the ego.
Appreciation:
I’m thankful for all of the little reminders of loved ones who’ve passed that flit into life so very unexpectedly. They can be seemingly insignificant, touch on any of our senses, and leave us in a splendid state of joy even as we miss the person we’re reminded of. Each little reminder brings a smile and reminds us of how much we loved that person who’s moved on. So many smiles over the past week, so much love, and so many warm memories.
Presence:
Walking with my family over lunch while making LuLu’s day was a wonderful pause. The sun was shining enough to fight away the chill. Time outside, in the sun, with my family? Yes please!
Nick shared a quote at yoga that really caught my attention fits perfectly with my plans for 2023.
Process saves us from the poverty of our intentions.
Elizabeth King
Appreciation:
What an awesome day it has been! It started with yoga with Becky, rolled into family games and walking LuLu, proceeded on to board games with friends, and wrapped up with watching the end of Life of Brian with my boys. Now I’m off to sleep and smiling as I think back on the day – it’s been an awesome one!
Presence:
A song over the speakers at Kwik Trip played a tune that took me way back to the night I asked Becky out on a date. Mambo #5 was one of the songs played at the wedding reception and I still have a crystal clear visual of Becky dancing along to it. It was one of the moments in which her smile completely won my heart over.
Gifts of time, presence, love, & shared experiences trump “stuff” every single time.
Appreciation:
Time with family, the best way to spend Christmas Day, no question. As each evening brings Dominic’s college journey one step closer I’m enjoying each moment together more and more. I’m sure we’ll have times with the four of us for years to come, but they will be slightly changed and fewer and far between. The Christmas gift of tonight was perfect.
Presence:
Our drive today provided views I’ve never quite seen the same way as before. The snow and ice clung to the trees and the sun reflected off in just the right way. The entire scene glittered like a crystal forest!
One bite at a time. Looking at all that needs to be done as one behemoth only incites panic and anxiety. Break it into smaller pieces and take them one at a time and it feels so much less daunting.
Appreciation:
I’m thankful for taking time for introspection. Over past year I’ve been intentionally focused on thinking more and acting less in order to learn and grow. It’s difficult to open even a small window at times but it seems that those moments may make all the difference.
Presence:
Hiking in the frigid snow covered woods with the sun shining is stunningly serene. Becky and I went on a couple of walks like that today and they were a wonderful contrast to the busyness of a full house.
I’m grateful for how Ive started living into my 2023 habits early. While I haven’t followed them perfectly I’ve found some definitely friction spots. These are the times when an unseen challenge gets in the way of living into the habit. This has helped me start to adjust my plan and find ways to better live into the me I prefer to be in ’23.
Appreciation:
So many photos from the past couple of decades. As I get frustrated attempting to sort them out and get them organized I can’t help but realize how fortunate I am to have created so many memories and to have taken so many pictures to bring them back. Some of my favorites have been the seemingly everyday moments which leave me smiling as I see them.
Presence:
Getting lost in conversation with family is always a wonderful way to enjoy the present. I’m thankful for the holidays and the opportunities they provide to spend that time together with the family.
Flexibility, adaptability, & resilience. Keys to a fulfilling life. All made so much easier with a growth mindset, appreciation, & presence.
When life gives you a very poor weather forecast make a shift, don’t stress, and go where life is leading.
Appreciation:
I’m thankful for all the work that goes into building strong partnerships. Many reminders of this today, it is so much easier to work through difficulties and challenges when you already know everyone involved is working in the best interest of the other person. Having been in the crucible together allows this to happen seemingly effortlessly.
Presence:
Sometimes a perfectly timed hug is about the best way to be pulled into the present.
I went down the rabbit hole tonight. One thing led to another and I quickly slipped into scrolling through old photos. Some were vacations but most were of almost everyday moments. There were so many photographic bread crumbs I left myself, so many awesome memories created with my family and friends.
The growth I’m thankful for tonight is the reminder to take many pictures. Never let the camera get in between the present and me, but also remember the photos I take bring back so many memories later.
Appreciation:
One of our usually annual family traditions is a trip to see the Rotary Lights in downtown La Crosse. So grateful for another year of spending time with our family together at this event!
Presence:
One of the videosI stumbled across was that of the octopus I found (& touched) in a tide pool in Sawtell, Australia. That moment remains one of the most intensely encoded memories in my brain. What a surreal moment!
Tonight I’m thankful for a lesson I’ve learned over the years. It’s okay for my blog posts to be short sometimes. I’ve lived a very full day and am now ready crash. Short and focused, yet staying to the discipline.
Appreciation:
Thank you to Renee for referring a book I’m certain to read again and guaranteed to buy for others… The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins
So much wisdom shared so intimately. Loved it!
Presence:
Taking time to breathe is so much more centering than it seems it should be! Take 35 deep breaths, hold my breath with empty lungs for 90+ seconds, inhale deeply and hold for 15, and then repeat two more times. So much focus in such a short period of time.
There are so many times when we can see the greatness lying in wait inside another person – even when they don’t quite see it themselves. The greatness is so elusive and shy, it can’t be forced out. Rather, it takes work and coaxing, and even then it has to come out of its own accord. There’s nothing the observer can to do draw it out other than slowly help it see the possibility.
The growth I’m thankful for today is the reminder to not force the issue, telling someone how great they are isn’t the answer. Slow down and help them walk to the conclusion on their own. Provide the opportunities for them to shine, but be wary of pushing too hard.
Appreciation:
Yoga with Becky on a Monday night is just about the perfect way to start a week. With all the different directions we go as a family knowing that we have that time to pause, breathe, re-center, and get a some sweat in to start the week really helps me stay centered throughout the week.
While there were many reasons to thankful today that one is amongst on of the foundational bricks which support the opportunity for those other moments of appreciation. I can’t overstate the importance of taking time to re-charge, focus, breathe, and re-center in my life. Without the calming activities like yoga I am over stressed. Without physical activity I feel flat and not as productive as I should be. Without time outdoors I don’t pause to appreciate the natural world around me. Without some time alone in thought (like when I’m blogging) I don’t have time to focus on dissecting my thoughts and actions. Put all of these together, my yoga practice with Becky, my run outside this morning, and my time blogging right now and I feel so much more full, focused, and on the right track to start the week.
Presence:
My morning run was a bit on the chilly side, but that made it all the more peaceful. There’s nothing quite like running when it’s zero or a little below. The air is so calm and still, it feels more full in some ways. With the new fallen snow there’s also an absence of sound which makes it feel all the more quiet and lonely (in a good way). Runs like this take a little bit to get used to, but once I am ready for them they are amongst the most serene and satisfying runs I ever have. So thankful for the opportunity to enjoy one of those cold runs this morning!
Becky had an awesome idea for today – snowshoeing. While the boys snowboarded the two of us hit Twin Bluffs State Park. There was only one other person on the trail as we explored a spectacularly scenic winter wonderland. The views were so amazing. The snow brought out even more beauty than we’ve previously seen there before.
The serenity of snowshoeing almost alone in the still winter air is beyond words. A fulfilling workout, time outside, shared moments with each other, and a peaceful state of mind. I need to remember to snowshoe more often!
Appreciation:
Even through the busyness our family has had over the past month and change we’ve found time to watch two of our favorite Christmas movies together over the past few nights. As the boys get older they catch more and more if the jokes and we all enjoy the movies just a bit more. Having time together to share in some of these traditions is priceless and I’m grateful for each moment.
Presence:
So, truth be told, I’m not a big sports fan. Every year for the past ten or so had seen a decline in my interest. Nothing against professional & college sports or their fans, I just have other passions which seem to grow each year.
That said, the presence of following today’s World Cup Final from the last 15 minutes of regulation and the conclusion seemed to transcend sports! Nonstop excitement ensued as I found myself quickly drawn in at an almost guttural level. The momentum shifts, the back stories, and the energy of the teams brought to present moment into such sharp clarity. There’s certainly a magic to the ability of sports to harness the present moment, today I basked in it.
Thankful for Forty 