Day 3,732

Growth:

Even after almost 500 days of survival in the most hospitable of environments the positivity of others can continue to raise others.

“Macty [McCarthy] is the most irrepressible optimist I’ve ever met. When I relieve him at the helm, boat iced & seas pouring down your neck he informs me with a happy grin ‘It’s a grand day sir,’ I was feeling a bit sour just before….”

– Worsley’s Journal, Endurance by Alfred Lansing

Appreciation:

Something I am very grateful for the is the ongoing harmony amongst the reading tastes of my sons and I. There have been many books we have referred back and forth to each other and almost all of which have been appreciated by the others. Having a couple of fellow readers helping me to find great books has been awesome, sharing books and concepts within has been even more fulfilling. Nothing like shared interests to help grow our bonds!

Presence:

My conversation with my brother this evening couldn’t have been more well timed for a variety of reasons. The topic of conversation hit close to home for both of us, was a topic we could both very much relate to, and was all the more fitting based on the goals I’ve been working on for myself for next year. So much more fun having a conversation we were both very interested in that we could grow together through!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,731

Growth:

The depth found in re-reading the same book multiple times continues to surprise me. For as focused as I am when I read it the first and each subsequent time there are so many additional details or perspectives I catch. Quite often it’s related to what is going on in life in that moment. The whole metaphor of we never step in the same river twice is certainly accurate when it comes to reading books!

Cheers to the reads and the re-reads!

Appreciation:

Today I was able to utilize an additional sounding board and research tool while putting together some information for one of our clients. As I was compiling my thoughts and doing some additional research I couldn’t help but pause and be grateful for the enormous amounts of data and knowledge we all have available at our finger tips at almost any given time. Our ability to save our results and knowledge and then share it with others is truly breathtaking. Think of how much we’ve all been able to learn so quickly, all the information we have to make smart decisions – so different than was available only a handful of decades ago.

Presence:

Running in the cold felt pretty amazing this morning! For some reason I’m finding the cold temperatures more pleasant than normal much of the time, especially when I’m about to hike or run. The cold blast of fresh air hits me stronger than a cup of coffee and wakes me right up.

This morning was the same, an awesome way to get my brain moving and active!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,730

Wowza, that was a lot of activity and people-ing packed into one weekend. Almost nonstop time with family, all great times, a lot of laughs and fun for sure!

We got bonus time in with Mom and Brad, an opportunity to catch up with Caitlyn, a meal with Sela and Teddy, dinner with Mary, Rachel, and Gwennie, a walk with Becky, and some hiking and Packer watching with Gavin. Virtually every moment spent with family – great weekend for sure!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,729

Whew – what a day it was!!! Dominic crushed his final. Gavin qualified for state powerlifting by picking up a quarter ton and found out he had a very strong score on his college calculus final. Becky and I got to get in a nice hike in the morning and then spent the entire day with Mom and Brad. Throw in some other guest appearances throughout the day and it was truly an epic one!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,728

Growth:

“The rapidity with which one can completely change one’s ideas… and accommodate ourselves to a state of barbarism is wonderful.” 

~ Henry Worsley while trapped on the Antarctic ice pack as recounted in Endurance by Alfred Lansing

Appreciation:

Gavin got accepted by one of the colleges he was most excited about!!! So pumped and excited for him!!!

Presence:

Getting outside for a hike with Leia late in the afternoon was amazing! Fresh air, enjoying the quiet of nature, watching her bounce and bound through the snow piles. Such a wonderful way to decompress after a crazy busy week of work. Very fulfilling week, no question, but it’s been a wild ride. Taking the moments to chill and relax outdoors was perfect!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,727

Growth:

Over the past few months I’m continuing to see how great people can really unleash themselves when given the tools needed to be successful, the direction need to point them along the right path, the encouragement and love to help them feel supported, and the strong teammates with similar core values who are able to help while elevating each others game! so much fun seeing what a team of incredible people can accomplish!!!

Appreciation:

Nice having a fun and upbeat conversation with my brother this evening! It’s been a while since the two of us have both been in a good spot to talk for more than a few minutes and we took advantage of it. Catching up on life updates, joking around, talking smart, and sharing movie recommendations. All of the talk and fun that brothers do, all while being ourselves and chill. Great catching up with him tonight!

Presence:

The songs Winners & Losers by Social Distortion and The Nights by Avicii have been rolling through my head on repeat all day long. They are both completely different in tone, but there’s an interesting relationship between the two. As I keep working on my goals for next year these songs just seem to connect a little more deeply. Great moments of clarity while listening to both today!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,726

Growth:

Remember to allow people to help. We all enjoy the opportunity to help others, be sure to allow everyone that opportunity. When we step aside and ask others for help it is amazing what can happen as a result. One of the times in life in which every single individual involved wins.

Appreciation:

Where do I decide to put my focus? Do I hold on to the comment that frustrated me and let it fester or do I move on? Do I focus my energy on what bothered me or do I relax and instead focus on what I am grateful for? There is always a choice to make, where do I put my focus. Tonight I’m putting my focus in the right place, focused on gratitude, and will drift off to sleep.

Presence:

Getting outside in the fresh snow to shovel early before heading off to work was a refreshing way to get my body moving this morning. The fresh crisp air, the extra quiet due to the insulation of the snow, and light physical exercise was wonderful!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,725

Growth:

Fortitudine Vincimus – By Endurance We Conquer

Appreciation:

Tonight I’m especially grateful for taking the time to take notes while I read. Several years ago I started to type up some of the quotes which really struck home for me. I’d read the quote, type it up in my notes app on my phone, and go back to review all of the quotes from time to time.

This evening as I continue to work on my goals and plan for next year I went back to those quotes for inspiration. Success!!! Not only did I have a rush of insights fed into my brain, but I hit the nail on the head with the quote that will likely be my 2026 theme… The quote above.

Presence:

Taking the time to enjoy silence, re-reading notes and quotes, pausing to consider that wisdom shared by others. In those moments of reviewing the notes my mind was filled with so many thoughts. Memories of when I read the quotes initially. Reminders of how I’ve lived into (or lived against) those words of advice. Each nugget of knowledge an opportunity to grow my brain, to encourage growth. That was an extremely gratifying use of time this evening!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,724

Growth:

We are what we practice. Just as our physical health is related to our mental diet, our mental diet is similarly impacted. Be aware of what I consume mentally, remember to choose intentionality.

Appreciation:

Our run this morning was very chilly, but it also felt awesomely refreshing and awakening! We normally don’t get our first sub zero feel run until we get into January, Christmas came early this year! For real, it seems almost sacrilegious to say, but I would much rather run in the cold like this than in a hot and humid 80+ degree day.

Getting the run in with the frigid temps felt all the more like a bit of an accomplishment, making the decision to persevere and face the elements. It also reminded me of how much I am learning to love winter more than in the past. The cool air seemed to amplify the moonlight reflecting off the snow, creating a very light dark in the woods that seems borderline magical. Nothing like being out before sunrise in the cold like that!

Presence:

So many moments of authenticity, or pure unbridled excitement, of positivity today at work! With a new start on the team and a team who continues to grow and overachieve it was so easy to be 100% present at work today. It was also a perfect opportunity to remember to call things out as they are, to be an unfiltered and authentic version of myself – so liberating!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,723

Growth:

When we read something we really appreciate, write it down and save it. When you hear a quote you enjoy, write it down and save it. When someone gives a speech or sermon you greatly enjoy, ask them for a copy and save it.

So often those nuggets appear, bounce around in our brain, but then slowly drift away to the dark recesses to be lost for long periods of time until something jars them lose. By saving and cataloging those quotes, stories, and info we are able to more easily recall them.

Appreciation:

I’m incredibly grateful for doing the difficult feeling parts of parenting early – including having the boys do chores. In our house we are all expected to help out and tag in. As anyone with kids know, getting kids to do just about anything related to a chore can be a very difficult endeavor, no question! Through sticking with it, keeping them on the plan to clean even when it wore us out, they both grew into individuals who voluntarily offer to help us clean now. For the past few weeks Gavin has offered up helping, no need to even ask him! How excellent is that!

Presence:

The time spent in deep thought considering who I am, where I want to grow, which dreams I want to focus on for the next year. Uncomfortable in some ways as I have to sit quiet and alone, confronted only with myself and my own thoughts. Seems like it should be easy, but there’s this weird gravitational pull towards distraction that keeps getting the better of me. Maybe Blaise Pascal was on to something in his Pensees #136.

That said, the time alone in thought was amongst the most productive time I’ve had in a while. These moments will echo throughout the days, weeks, and months of 2026.

Thanks!!!