Day 2,352

Growth:

Listen, breathe, think, react. Recently I heard insightful advice about how “we can always say something else, but we can never unsay what we already have said.” Acting with emotion isn’t usually the right answer. Pausing to think before responding typically is.

Appreciation:

One of our nieces is currently a student at UW La Crosse and we have her and her boyfriend over for supper sometimes. Tonight was one of those nights.

What a gift to spend time with great kids who are getting the big picture and are willing to talk about their college experience. Each conversation brings back so many memories of college life and I’m usually laughing and smiling throughout. It’s an added bonus for our boys to have an opportunity for a sneak peek into college life too.

So crazy to think that my last days of college were over half of my life ago! Spending time with our niece reminds of so much from that time period – good and bad.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend time with our niece, to remember and share old stories, and for the boys to get a sneak peek.

Presence:

Spending time with my teams catching up with them was a great way to really get my Monday morning rolling. It was nice to hear about what they’d been up to, the fun they’d had, and to get to know them better.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,351

Growth:

Rather than slipping back into unproductive and unfulfilling habits remember to focus on what brings a deeper level of joy. Sometimes distractions can be fun, but they often are not at the same depth as true joy.

Stay focused on what’s really important, don’t allow distractions to win through emptiness, choose the correct path.

Appreciation:

Every so often there seems to be a confluence of recent experiences, lessons learned, opportunities, and stories which all seem to tie a common theme or two together. Each aspect is like an individual element that is significant but lacking structure. At a certain point all the individual elements lock together and create something more grand than could be imagined prior. After stepping back to see it from a better perspective everything is changed, there’s an awareness that wasn’t there before. I am changed in a positive way.

I’m not quite to the point of seeing the elements lock together but it seems as if I’m starting to see most of the components. Soon enough they’ll fit themselves together and I’m excited to see the result, to grow.

I wonder if there will be a point in which each finished bigger component becomes an element of something even more grand.

Presence:

Church today hit me at a deep level. Something about the ongoing message of persevering through obstacles, through risking for a good cause, and being there for others resonated more than expected today. Whatever the reason the entire experience was one I was completely present for.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,350

Growth:

When in doubt, get outside and go for a walk or run.

Our weekend of hanging out with friends has been awesome in many ways (spoiler alert for the next section), but it’s been largely sedentary as we’ve played a ton of games and spent almost all the time sitting around the dining room table. Compared to how active I usually am and it was really off kilter from normal life.

This afternoon a couple of us went for a walk and enjoyed time outdoors in the sun. It was glorious! Amazing what a difference some outside time and physical activity can do to get me recharged and feeling better.

Appreciation:

There’s such an awesome balance to be found in spending time with a half a dozen friends. What I’m really hit me was how enriched the time is when split between time with the entire group and time with each other person one on one.

The laughs we had as a big group were priceless. I’m going to bed with a stomach sore from so much full belly laughing. As a large group we have such a great time but it can be difficult to talk about life in detail.

When I was able to find pockets of time with one or two people we were able to connect and share life more easily. This was found in going for a walk, early morning coffee, driving to get supplies, and in between games. Those one on one connections were soul warming and reminded me of the importance of spending more time in smaller groups in addition to bigger groups.

So much fun, so many laughs, and a wonderful balance of time in small groups. I’m thankful for this time we were able to share!

Presence:

Growing up in northern Wisconsin provided many opportunities to see whitetail deer. Quite often they would walk right into our backyard to eat acorns. They became so commonplace that I didn’t always pause to appreciate the sight.

This afternoon one of my friends noticed a deer right outside our front door in the house we’re renting right in the city. Shortly after we saw another, another, and ultimately six deer walking through the yard! Very awesome opportunity to pause and remember to enjoy seeing nature in an unexpected place.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,349 – Short one today. Long day of fun and laughs, way later to bed than usual.

Growth:

I had a profoundly awesome reminder of their power of a handwritten thank you today. The positive emotions expressed through that format are so powerful.

Appreciation:

Even when Becky and I don’t spend the day together we still find ways to communicate often. Today I was grateful for her presence even when I wasn’t present – it brought a handful of smiles across the miles!

Presence:

My morning run was more pleasant than expected. The ever changing texture of the snow and ice made it critically important to be in tune with each footfall. The undulating hills added an extra twist to keep my focus tighter than normal. Positive experience and an exercise in presence.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,348

Growth:

Nudges may be amongst the greatest gifts we’re given, the closest to The Big Dude Upstairs we’ll ever be.

Ignore them and life goes on, we’ll likely never know what could have been.

Honor them, take action on them – even then we may not see their full impact, but our hearts will be full. In those rare moments in which we get a glimpse of the impact of acting on the nudge… my, what a profoundly beautiful gift we’re given.

Appreciation:

Purpose really fuels much of life if we allow it. Sometimes life can get difficult and test us. Purpose and values shine a light on our path in those times. What seems complex and confusing is made simple and clear through the lens of purpose.

I appreciate feeling a sense of clarity of purpose today. There’s still so incredibly far to grow, but seeing the outline of the path ahead motivates me to keep hiking it.

Presence:

Connections with others, what a blessing! Spending time in a handful of meaningful conversations today brought joy to my soul.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,347

Growth:

Through our difficult times we have the opportunity for exponential growth should we choose it.

Since writing and talking about losing Dad and other challenges I’ve faced I’ve been blessed with so many conversations with people who’ve been through struggles. All our challenges are unique and our paths similar yet not exactly the same. Whatever we’ve been through there often seems to be a common theme.

This really bad thing happened, but since then…

This challenge was painful, but because of that…

“But since then” or “but because of that.” These phrase lead to the transition.

…I learned more about myself.

…I found there were people willing to help.

…I realized how strong I can be.

CHALLENGES lead to GROWTH.

The pain in the moment is real, the growth can be a lifetime.

Appreciation:

Taking time to be thankful for specific people in our lives is medicine for the soul. I finished up a project today that was filled with appreciation directed towards specific people and my heart was full all day. When I consider the times I’ve blogged about a specific person (& it has been a while) I’ll fall asleep with a smile on my face.

Crazy, when we try to bring a smile to someone we’re appreciative of we often end up smiling even more! I’m grateful for the exercise I practiced today and it reminds me of something I was thinking of starting…. Hmm… more to follow soon 😉

Presence:

This morning I paused everything. I was working in my office and out of the corner of my eye I saw thick puffy snow globe flakes falling from the sky. It was beautiful!

Life got put on pause while I enjoyed the scenic views. So peaceful, so calming. Once I got back to work everything seemed just a little lighter.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,346

Growth:

Scarcity can be a powerful source of productivity in the right situations. Slack can be the enemy of done in the wrong situations. The key lies in knowing how much of each to apply at the right moment.

Appreciation:

LOL – so I’ve been staring at this blank space for well over 10 minutes now and am just now writing. I’m getting tired and this section is the last obstacle before sleep.

Ugh, why am I stuck and suffering writers block???

Because I can’t settle on which one of a huge list of gratitudes I want to write about 😂

Do I want to write about Gavin’s wrestling banquet, the upcoming weekend with friends, a leadership team growing and getting it, a big project completed, a new project on the horizon, an intriguing interview, doing the right thing when it was difficult, a nice morning run, living purpose, opportunities to grow, an inspiring coaching talk, or sharing success with a teammate?

That really settles it, doesn’t it?

I’m thankful for the days so full of awesomeness I can’t decide!

Presence:

Today I had a tedious task that required extreme focus and discipline. I threw in my AirPods and some music and proceeded to hammer the entire project out in a few hours of concentrated focus. While I have to keep the details a surprise for now what I want to blog about as being in a state of flow even when doing something tedious.

What kept me present in the task? The purpose behind it. The challenge of going faster. The tight timeline. The sense of completion I knew I’d feel. Put them all together and presence won over tediousness.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,345

Growth:

Listening beyond the words being said is difficult but so insightful. I must remember to be 100% present, listen with the intent to learn, and be in a state of awareness. It is difficult to pull off all three at once, but when I can the results are extraordinary.

Appreciation:

How many friends will I have whom I’ve yet to meet? Each Express event I go to it seems I make a new friend. Usually they’re someone I know of but I’ve never actually met or had a conversation with. One thing leads to another and we start talking. Maybe at a table during a breakout session, maybe at lunch, or maybe as fellow presenters. I’m a very short period of time we find common bonds, common goals, common friends, and common values. Each event thereafter we’re bound to spend some time catching up.

This time it was a fellow outdoorsy dad who enjoys backpacking and hiking with his kids. Four days ago we really don’t know each other and now we’re trading vacation ideas and backpacking routes. Awesome!!!

Presence:

While it is not presence itself I’m grateful for something related to it. After all the travel and busyness of the past week I decided to go to bed early last night and slept in a little today. Taking time to sleep really helped me stay engaged and present today, more sleep is needed but the extra hours certainly got me back on track!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,344

Growth:

While an early flight leads to less sleep for one night it leads to more time at home with family. I’ll happily sacrifice a little sleep for a little extra family time.

The true wisdom is in getting bonus sleep a couple of nights before to have a sleep surplus. 😉

Appreciation:

Honestly, I’m still processing so much from Ernie Johnson’s speech yesterday. In doing so I’ve found so many blackberry moments throughout the day. So much extra love for my family, feeling it at a deeper level and more thankful for them than ever. I’m happy to be home, happy to be with Becky & my boys, and happy to crash in my own bed with a head full of bigger dreams and a heart beyond full.

Presence:

There’s something about empty airports that stirs both my soul and imagination. Early this morning I spent about thirty minutes wandering the almost unpopulated terminal of Reagan Airport with my headphones on. The lack of people is almost unsettling while also feeling so liberating. Love those little pockets of empty airport time!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,343

Growth:

Ernie Johnson Jr was our guest speaker today and my mind is still blown by his story. There short version is this:

• Actively search for and the joyful moments of life
• Every life has value
• Love
• Create joyful moments for others
• Follow your “nudges”
• Humility

Honestly, this may have been the most impactful speaker I’ve ever had the privilege of hearing. Certainly more to follow on this one in the future!

Appreciation:

A couple of days ago one of my classes talked about our “And Then” moments. Those are the parts of the story we tell that usually go like this…

So this happened and then this other positive thing happened.

What was interesting was that the “And Then” moments were almost always people who did someone thing special to help. Quite often the person didn’t even know how they were helping or how big of an impact they made. They just acted with love.

Over the past day I’ve had more time to reflect on many of my personal And Then’s and it’s reminding me of how important it is to both thank those who’ve created them as well as live in a way that I can help other create their And Then’s.

My heart is full as I think back with love for each of those people who’ve had such positive impacts on my life.

Presence:

Having an opportunity to see my teammates celebrate the success of all of their hard work was truly amazing tonight! Seeing their joy in going up on the big stage in front of a huge crowd was awesome and one of my favorite professional moments. Thank you to all of my teammates who’ve worked so hard to make last year one to remember.

Thanks!!!