Author: Michael Kreiling

Thankful for Defining Before Solving, Soccer Family, & Leaves in the sun & Wind

Day 2,199

Growth:

If I start with an idea I’ll often come up with a really good idea. If I start with a “why” and a “purpose” I’ll usually come up with a much better idea. Remember to define the challenge prior to solving it.

Appreciation:

Soccer parents pretty much become family as the seasons go on. Spending time with that family tonight had me smiling, laughing, & full of joy.

Presence:

Over lunch I took LuLu for a walk. That in of itself was a lesson in presence. Stopping to watch the bright red, almost crimson leaves if the maple tree blowing in the wind and the sunlight caused them to almost shimmer and change colors? Divine!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Taking a Breath, a Life Changing Moment, and Listening with Presence

Day 2,198

Growth:

What a ride home it was today! While waiting at a red light I was rear ended. I pulled to the side of the road, saw there was damage, and then got back in to pull over in a safer place. While I did that the driver of the other car hit the gas and drove away.

Rather than getting angry I took a deep breath – heeding my advice from yesterday’s blog. I calmly called the police and they were able to get everything rolling. While I sat in the car and awaited further instruction I took another deep breath and started typing this blog.

I would normally have gotten very upset in a situation like this. Having just written about this very topic only yesterday helped me remember that what was done was done, there was no point in wasting emotional energy over it. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks! 😉

Appreciation:

Way back in the day a friend really caught my attention by asking a very simple question.

“Are you okay? You don’t seem yourself.”

For ways I’ll keep to myself that question literally altered the direction of my life for the better. I can honestly say the likelihood of my life being the same is almost zero thanks to her moment of focus, concern, and caring. I learned so many valuable lessons in that moment – about myself, life, and others. It was transformative.

The question was simple, the intent heartfelt, the impact profound. I appreciate that question, that moment, and that friend tremendously.

Presence:

Sometimes we must listen with more than our ears. I know, technically you can only “hear” with your ears, but I swear there are other ways to “listen” to other people. Today I’m thankful I paused to really listen and take the appropriate action. I’m also thankful for the moment I described above as that helped me see the right action to take to help.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Pausing, Reflecting, and a Single Maple Tree

Day 2,197

Growth:

The growth moment for today is one which has presented itself in a handful of ways over the past week or two. The lesson has shown up as a very clearly and directly as well as undervocer as a metaphor and as a lived example of why it is important. All around me are these clues and gestures which point to a better way of being.

The lesson? There’ve been a handful of subtle variations but at its core is this…

Count to three, take a deep breath, and then respond. Don’t react immediately, take a moment to pause and think, and then take action.

So wonderfully simple and easy, yet wildly difficult. So much more work to put into my practice of doing this correctly.

Appreciation:

My gratitude today comes as a result of a few different articles in APNews.com recently. I am so blessed, fortunate, and grateful for my life in this country. While I drive with my family to go for a leisurely hike in the bluffs there are so many people living through unspeakable challenges throughout the world. The situation I live in each day is very fortunate and I’m thankful for the life I’m able to live. My heart aches for those in difficult situations, I know I must do better to help others who need it.

Presence:

Hiking in the bluffs always brings about such calm. The smell of the woods mixed with the spectacular vistas could help me lose myself in the beauty of the present in an instant.

What really jumped out to me today was something truly exquisite. While atop the ridge of a bluff we looked over the expanse of the Mississippi River Valley. So many trees, plants, rock formations, backwaters, and so on along the river, beauty ot be found everywhere. Where I lost myself in the present during that time was when my eyes chanced upon a single maple in blazing red standing all alone amongst a sea of green leaves. It was simply stunning.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Shackleton, Naps, and Time with Teammates Outside of Work

Day 2,196

Growth:

At a dinner with friend this evening we spent some time talking about a variety of topics, one in particular really caught my attention. For a number of years the story of Shackleton and the Endurance has been one I’ve wanted to learn more about. Two of the people I was talking with got into a discussion about that specific story. In less than ten minutes of conversation I was hopping into my Audible account to add South to my wish list. Why add this to the “Growth” section today? Reading is one of my favorite things, the opportunity to learn new things is always high on my list. Hearing these stories had me re-energized to learn more about this incredible journey.

Appreciation:

I’ve been going pretty hard for quite a few straight weeks now and definitely was feeling it. After taking LuLu for a walk in the sun I listened to my body and took a nap. It was glorious! I’m so thankul for taking a moment (or twenty) to rest, relax, and recharge. The rest of the day was much improved as a result.

Presence:

At the Maple Leaf Parade for Oktoberfest in La Crosse I had the opportunity to spend a little bit of time with one of my teammates. I met more of her family, spent time joking around and shooting the bull, and enjoyed their company. It was awesome! As I walked back to the rest of my family I realized how great it was to be 100% in the moment with my teammate and her family, to have great conversation, and to enjoy their company. Good stuff!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for an Insightful Read, a Strong Culture, & Lasagna

Day 2,195

Growth:

Patrick Lencioni does an outstanding job of putting leadership and self-development concepts into easy to understand “business fables.” Rather than just sharing the idea he puts it into a story to help really flesh out the bones. I’ve almost finished his latest book The 6 Types of Working Genius and have learned much. Highly recommended!!!

Appreciation:

We had a team interview for a new potential teammate today that went exceedingly well. What really stuck out to me was how much of the time our culture was brought up by my teammates as a selling point as well as by the candidate who’d shadowed our office and already had a couple of other offers on the table. Designing and building the culture we’ve wanted has taken much time and effort, it was nice to see it paying off in this fashion today.

Presence:

This morning I caught myself lost in the present moment in a way I wasn’t quite expecting. For breakfast I enjoyed the last pieces of my birthday lasagna. Yes, that is correct, I had lasagna for breakfast. Over the past couple of days I found presence in observing something beautiful with my eyes. Today I encountered presence in the sense of taste. So delicious, so grounding in that moment.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Minding the GAP

Day 2,194

Growth:

Today I finished an insightful book a friend recommended – The Power of Now. What struck me most was how many different books I’ve read point out the importance of presence. I’ve read many, but I’ve never tired of them or been bored. Each has shed light on a slightly different angle of the concept. Long story short, inner peace can be found in the stillness of our souls in the present moment.

Appreciation:

There are so many levels of relationships. I feel so blessed to have touched upon so many different levels today! Partial acquaintances, new friends, life long friends and so on… so many positive interactions with people I know, respect, and love. I feel so much appreciation for all of them today.

Presence:

I feel as if it is almost cheating as I drive to work each morning and try to find one beautiful moment of presence. My drive is so mind blowingly epic, especially on days like this when I’m driving in and out of clouds in between the bluffs while watching the sun rise reflecting pink, orange, and purple hues on the specters of fog rising from the Mississippi River.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Trying Something New – Minding the GAP (Growth, Appreciation, Presence)

Day 2,193

Growth:

One of the biggest take-ways today was the reminder of finding the balance between extreme discipline and creativity. When someone is given space to be creative at the right times they are successful. When someone is given the directive to adhere to a very specific and focused set of directives at the right times they are successful. The key is in knowing which is right at which time.

Appreciation:

I am thankful for people who are willing to help out fellow local community members. The support of those within our community can make such a huge difference, and I’m grateful for the reminder to do the same for others.

Presence:

As I drove to work this morning the sun was still making a climb from below the horizon and leaving the sky in a beautiful palette of purples and pink. On the backwaters of the river was a little bit of fog covering some of the still water. It was amazing!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for a List of Gratitude from a Wildly Busy Day

Day 2,192

LOL – what a day it has been! So many different directions, gratitudes, purposeful moments, and learning opportunities!

Maybe I’ll sum it up in a few specific points…

  • Possibly the best answers to the question “what do you think I should do” seems to be “what’s most important to you?” and “what’s your purpose?”
  • When living into or toward purpose joy can be felt deep in your soul in a profound way
  • Remembering to allow space to grow, learn, and experiment is just as important as extreme discipline
  • Community seems to always have the power to impress and humble
  • Keeping a cool head is almost always the right answer
  • Sleep makes life better

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Remembering Joy & Comfort are Often Opposites

Day 2,191

Two of my team’s core values are Do Right and Grit. Sometimes the right thing to do is also incredibly difficult, and that’s where Grit comes in. Put those two together and one won’t necessarily find comfort, put instead will find living into a sense of purpose, or deep seated joy.

One of my favorite lessons comes from our past priest, Father Mark.

“‘Joy’ isn’t the same as happiness and it is often the opposite of comfort.“

Father Mark Pierce

Today was definitely not comfortable, but there is a deep well of joy in my soul tonight.

Thanks!!!