I usually keep to my reading order of business / self improvement, fiction, biography. This triad of books styles helps me stay balanced and focused on learning new things, seeing how others have applied them, and then zooming out to see the ideas in action in the vacuum of fiction. I totally skipped that order and jumped right into a new one on Tuesday and just finished it up today.

I was a huge fan of Ready Player One after some friends recommended it to me a while back. The story is filled with so many of the ’80s pop/nerd culture that I grew up with. Almost each page brought back some great memories for me. I still remember where I was when I read it the first time (listening on audio) and can tell you where I was waling during many of the parts. The book was right up my alley and one of my favorites.

On Monday night I hopped onto Audible to see which book I should fire up next. Usually I stick with my wishlist and pull one from there, but I opted to check out the New Releases section for a moment. When I started scrolling through I couldn’t believe my eyes… Ready Player Two was being released the next morning! Without a moment of hesitation I set it up to auto download as soon as it dropped.

Sometimes sequels aren’t so good. Maybe I should phrase it differently? usually sequels are terrible. I was a little nervous at first but then that fear quickly abated as I dove in.

I’m guessing many haven’t read it yet so I’ll be careful to avoid any spoilers. Long story short, it was a fun story and a very entertaining read just like the first. The characters are the same and everything flows very well. Most importantly, there’s a ton of the ’80s and ’90s nerdy Easter eggs that endeared the first book to me. Wow, I really wish I could write more about it! Do us both a favor and read the book so we can talk about it, okay?

Thanks!!!

My little brother and my sister in law had about the best possible Thanksgiving present possible today – a little seven pound bundle of adorable awesomeness, Cooper Nicholas!

The day has been filled with many things I’m grateful for. I’ve had a lot of time with family. Becky made a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. There was plenty of physical activity including time on my bike and a family walk. Dominic put up Christmas lights. Gavin found joy in exercise after initially thinking he didn’t want to. I got some time to work on a couple of woodworking projects. We had a supper of pie. Family game night is now being followed up with the first Christmas movie of the year, Elf. It’s been a solidly wonderful day all the way through.

All that said, the safe delivery of my newest nephew is by far and away what I am most grateful for today. Our family has grown by one. The smile on my little brother’s face on FaceTime to give us our first view of little Cooper was absolutely priceless. The joy that little Cooper has brought to him and his family already is pretty awesome!

Of all the things to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day Cooper reminds me of what is the most important thing in world today – family, love, health, and joy. Thank you little Cooper dude for brightening the day for me and so many today! I’m totally looking forward to spoiling you in the future, kind of like your dad does for my boys.

Thanks!!!

There are many different holiday traditions in our family. Today marks one of the most delicious ones!

For the past few years my friend Grant has been making very tasty pies for all of his teammates – including me! The week prior to the holiday I look forward to the question, “Which type would you like this year?” Each year I’ve gone with same response, though each year he has a few different options for us to choose from. Pumpkin pie cheesecake… ahh…

On Thanksgiving Eve Grant brings in a pile of pies and leaves them at each of our desks. Talk about an incredible way to start the morning! This morning was an added bonus… he had an extra pie! Pumpkin pie cheesecake for breakfast? Why yes, I think I will. It partnered wonderfully with my coffee.

After supper we ate half of the pie – the other half has a bonus couple of hours to survive before it’s devoured later this evening. All of the sound around the table was the same… the sound of eating followed by groans of enjoyment and chased with comments like “that’s amazing!”

Grant, thank you so much for an awesomely delicious Thanksgiving Eve tradition dude!!! My entire family appreciates it greatly and are grateful for the awesome treat. Thanks for an excellent dessert and a great friendship!

Is it wrong that even though I’m full I’m getting very tempted to go back for another bite? 😉

Thanks!!!

LOL – one of the problems with writing a blog about gratitude that I share openly is that there are occasionally times when I’m really thankful for something specific but I’d rather not share it with everyone. I swear, its not trying to be selfish, it’s just that sometimes the thing I’m grateful for is something that doesn’t need to be shared with everyone.

Today is totally one of those days. There’s been a ton to be thankful for including safe driving in the first snowy weather, playing games with the boys, and great books, but the one I’m most thankful for is one I’ll keep to myself today.

Hope everyone is having an awesome Tuesday and finding much to be grateful for this evening!

Thanks!!!

On our drive back from “Up North” yesterday I had a little quiet time. Part of the drive includes zero cell coverage. During that same part of the road trip the boys each had their own things going on. Dominic doing homework and Gavin was reading. I popped in an earbud and fired up an audiobook. I finished The Wim Hof Method (I’d highly recommend it!) and went back to the fiction I had been reading intermittently, Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card.

After seeing how much Becky and Gavin enjoyed it I decided to add it back to the rotation of books. In my second reading I caught so much more of the action and found it to be an even more fulfilling experience than the first time around. All the details that I didn’t quite put together the first time added a rich complexity as the plot unfolded during the second reading.

What really caught my attention yesterday was a leadership lesson I’d forgotten from the first time I read it. The lesson itself is relatively buried but shined like gold when I read it this time.

Long story short (& without spoilers), there’s a point in Ender’s training in which he moves up to controlling a ship. He then moves up into having a squadron. After a while he grows into an entire fleet. At first he continues to act the same as before, attempting to control the battles himself, thinking in all directions at once, and taking action alone. He quickly finds that he needs others to help him and he cannot rely on his own abilities alone. Once the team of leaders are in place he has to trust them, coach them, mentor them, and give them the space, freedom, and flexibility they need while also giving them the direction, vision, and strategy they also need at the same time. In doing so he learns to let go of control in order to maintain control. It’s an interesting study in delegation. There was also a lot more which I won’t get into at risk of spoiling the story for others.

This concept is one I’ve struggled with often in my career. I like to do things myself. Seeing the way he grew reminded me of own career path and helped me zoom out to see what great would really look like. As with many times when I look across the wide expanse that is the distance between who I am and who I am called to be this is one of the lessons that could help me reduce the distance a bit.

I’m thankful for that advice I got long ago to read a combination of business/self-improvement, biography, and fiction. Initially I had my doubts on the importance of fiction, but days like today remind me of their ability to help us see something from “real life” in a very different light. Today it helped me grow.

Thanks!!!

Usually when I am talking about stillness I’m thinking of it as a moment in which my brain and soul have peace and quiet. There’s not outside stimuli causing me to lose focus. Stillness, in that meaning, is when I am able to pause and think, learn, and relax.

The stillness that created an awesome experience today was quite a bit different.

When Gavin and I would post while hunting we usually did so in a spot with only one small tree stand. This meant that he’d go up to the top and I’d figure out a way to get comfortable next to him. Sometimes that would involve sitting at the base of a tree, standing on the ladder, or standing right next to the tree.

On one of the drives today I stood by the tree and kept my hands on the ladder – largely to keep myself anchored and still. I was doing my best to not move at all and that’s crazy difficult for me to do! Gavin also struggles with sitting still so we were both totally out of our element. That said, we were obviously doing a pretty solid job of sitting still.

From behind me I hear a couple of birds start flitting about around us. Suddenly, one of them landed on the tree not two inches from my hand! I watched it and did my best not to too smile to big and scare it away. A few seconds later and it flew up… and landed on the barrel of Gavin’s gun! I almost laughed out loud when I saw that! If Gavin needed proof that he was capable of sitting still he certainly got it.

Several minutes after the birds had flown off I heard them start making their rounds back in our direction. I could hear the beating of the wings getting closer… and closer… and closer… and suddenly I could feel the wind from the bird’s wings on the back of my neck! He landed right on my shoulder! Again it took all the self control I had to not laugh out loud at the sight of me standing there with a bird on my shoulder. When it flew off it must’ve decided it wasn’t through with me. He flew from my shoulder to a branch and then right onto my hand. Sitting atop my glove he looked right at me and just sat there for a bit. Once he’d thoroughly checked me out he took flight again and went back to the branches.

What an incredible experience!!! I remembered Dad telling me stories like that back in the day but I didn’t quite believe him. After today I think he may have been telling the truth.

Stillness, both literal and metaphorical, has led to some profound experiences in my life and I’m very grateful for it.

Thanks!!!

Crazy! My internet coverage must not have been good enough last night to upload. Here’s my blog post from yesterday today 😁🤷‍♂️

Almost all of the daylight hours were focused on hunting today. The weather cooperated incredibly well (sunny, no wind, and fairly warm) even though the deer didn’t (except for the big buck that my brother in law got early in the morning). All said there were many miles walked, tons of outdoor time, and lots of joking. This was my first time out on opening day in a very long time (over 25 years?) and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to get back in the hunt… see what I did there? 😉

With all of the awesomeness of the hunt, you know what I am the most thankful for today? Climbing a tree. Yup, 100% for sure, it was climbing a tree. For reals!

At one point Gavin and I were waiting for others in the group. Gavin went up in the deer stand, but there was only room for one. Seeing as I didn’t have a gun and I wanted to stay near Gavin I had to find someplace for me to watch from. In an instant I saw my answer. Near the Gavin’s stand was a huge oak tree with some low hanging branches.

Next thing I knew I was swinging myself up a branch and up the tree. For a moment I questioned my ability to get up in the tree but then figured why not? Funny how my mind can sometimes question my ability before I had attempt something. I need to remember to shut that little voice down more often.

I continued up the tree until I found a perfect little perch. I sat there, relaxed, and looked over at Gavin. He smiled at me, I smiled back, and I kind of felt like I was his age again. There we were, two kids out in the woods, climbing trees.

The sun popped out while I chilled on my branch. At one point I even rested my head on the branch above me and almost fell asleep. The entire time up there was so peaceful and relaxing in a way that I can’t even begin to describe. It was exactly where I was meant to be in that moment and I savored every second of it.

The entire day has been full of outdoor awesomeness and I’m grateful for each and every second of it. While all of it was awesome, climbing a tree was special in a crazy kind of way that I appreciate greatly.

Thanks!!!

Seven years ago today I shared a video on Facebook that cracks me up and makes me smile to this day. I’d just gotten back from a run in the morning and got a huge “Good Morning!!!” from Gavin. He was bright eyed, bushy tailed, and ready for action! Hearing his little 5 year old voice was wild. The voice may have changed, but the personality is totally still there. For some reason I wasn’t able to find the video in my library but it is shared to my FB Timeline if you want a dose of high energy guaranteed to make you smile.

The memory from three years ago was from our first day in New Zealand. To be sure, I’ve got a pretty good hunch that I’ll write more about NZ over the next few days. Tonight I was thankful for a completely different memory related to this trip.

Becky had left for New Zealand a few days before us for her conference – the reason we decided to take the trip down there. That meant that I was taking the boys to another continent on the other side of the world solo. Initially I was nervous, but by the end I saw it as one of the best “boys only” adventures the three of us have had together.

We got to the airport in Minneapolis very early and it ended up being even earlier than I’d planned. To help us burn a couple of hours we ended up touring the entire airport including visits to the highest numbered gate of of each concourse. Along the way we did pushups and goofed around on the moving walkways, ate junk food, watched jets, and laughed a ton.

By the time we got to San Fransisco we were ready for more adventuring! We spent the entire waiting time doing more of the same in San Fran. At one point Gavin was leaning on a spinning chair and was literally spinning in circles using the chair! Next thing we knew we were on a flight halfway around the world.

The adventure of getting there was one that I’ll never forget. The boys and I still joke about it from time to time. It was one of my favorite parts of our trip to New Zealand which feels weird to write, but it’s 100% true. The memories we made of having fun in the airport are ones I’ll hold deep in my heart for the rest of my life. We were on an adventure and enjoyed every moment of it (all 30+ hours of it!).

Thanks!!!

Whew, what a day!

When I sit down to write there are usually a few themes in particular that really stick out and I choose one or two of them to go with. Other days I see so many things that I go list style. Once in a great while I’m in a bit of a funk and it takes a while to find the bright spots to focus on. Most days are very easy to pick out and some involve a little struggle, but usually in a good way.

Some nights have more of a philosophical tone to them or I’m continuing to work thoughts out in my head while I learn through living. Sometimes it’s a specific memory that has brought back joy through one of several different ways.

Nights like tonight are a bit different. There’s not a specific incident or thing that really jumps out – there were many throughout the day that brought great joy. There’s not a thematic feel to it that would necessitate a list. I’m in a fantastic mood so it’s not that I’m unhappy and struggling to find gratitude. There hasn’t been a crazy deep insight or a philosophical idea that’s taken hold or been re-embedded. Nothing like any of those.

When I boil it down I have a deep sense of well being and living into my purpose today. There were many times in which everything felt right – I was lined up in the right place doing the right things with the right people and at the right times. Everything seemed to be in tune – even the things that didn’t go well or as planned all seemed to work out exactly the way they were supposed to. Everything seemed to fit. Cosmic harmony or something like that?

About the best way I can describe it is using a short part of the Dan Brown book, Origin. He uses the example of the noise of a toddler banging on a keyboard to show what chaos sounds like. Think about it, the piano is making noise, an annoying, ear splitting, heart rate increasing, chaotic noise. ( I suddenly feel like the Grinch and all “the noise, noise, noise!!!” ) By contrast he then shares a skilled pianist playing a beautiful piece. There’s an order, beauty, structure, and timing to it that causes it to bring joy and stir our souls. Both sounds are made the same way, but one is incredibly pleasing, the other hurts to listen to.

What I’m thankful for today is the continued feeling of the keys being played by the hands of a skilled pianist rather than the violent pounding of a toddler. Everything lined up and was in place the way it should be – good, bad and otherwise. Everything was as it was supposed to be.

Thanks!!!

Tonight was the last session of an anti-racism series through our church. The series in of itself is something that I’m very grateful for, but that’ll most likely be a blog topic for a later date. I’ve got a lot of thoughts fermenting in my brain before I’m ready to write that one.

In part of the discussion someone mentioned a line of thought that reminded me of some excellent advice from a while back. While I don’t feel it appropriate to get into the details the concept itself is what is truly important.

If someone has an idea different than mine I have a tendency to do my best to talk them into my idea. I mean, c’mon, it’s MY idea and viewpoint, so it must be right… right? When I do my best to make my point over and over and over again how often does it actually cause lasting change? Not often. Not only that, but it seems like the other person is much more likely to dig their heels in and push back.

Why doesn’t it work? Because I’m typically making a ton of assumptions and taking it 100% from my perspective.

The excellent advice that really stuck in my head was the concept of seek first to understand, then to be understood. Instead of immediately springing into action and sharing my opinion I need to remember to act with true, heartfelt, and honest curiosity. “Tell me more about that.” “Why do you feel that way?” “How did you come to this perspective?” “What do you feel is truly at the heart of the situation?” Those are the place to really start the conversation.

Odds are that their answer is different than the assumption I’ve already created in my brain. I don’t fully understand their situation and most likely never will completely. By learning more I can sometimes find that the core issue is something much different than I thought. I need to remember to ask and listen intently if I am to truly learn.

Additionally, I’ve just gone through an anti-racism workshop series, read a couple of books, and listened to some podcasts. My brain is primed to see a specific issue first because it has been top of mind. Instead of immediately assuming racism I need to learn more to see if that is truly the issue. Maybe it is, but maybe it is something different. Maybe it’s an issue of safety, socio-economic challenges, or something else.

If I just dive in and attempt to assert my viewpoint it will not only not move the other person, it will most likely further open the divide between us. By taking time to understand first I can at least make sure we’re both looking across the same canyon before finding a way to build a bridge to the other side.

Whew, that just went way longer than I expected and also didn’t cover the detail I can see in my head as well as I’d hoped it would. Long story short, the concept fo seeking first to understand and then to be understood will be top of mind as I interact with others moving forward.

Thanks!!!