One of my favorite places in the entire world is the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan. As we get within 50 miles of Lake Superior it starts to feel a lot like home. Yes, I know, I’ve got several places that feel like home including La Crosse, New Zealand, and the Big Island of Hawaii. When I go back “up north” my soul quiets, all stress subsides, and it’s an oasis of natural beauty and serenity.

If you haven’t been up to the UP before let me explain. The population density is very low. The forests of pine, birch, popple, and maple give way for beautiful rock formations and wetland marshes. There are rolling hills that are similar and yet very different from the Driftless. Throw in the beautiful Lake Superior and you can start to see the picture.

I first traveled to the UP to check out the Michigan Tech campus in Houghton while I was in high school. Each and every time I made that drive I’ve fallen in love with the area over and over again.

Michigan Tech was where I went for my first year of college, my first time living somewhere other than home. There was a time when I had much stress and struggles and the UP was where I went for a long weekend retreat. For a while I tried talking Becky into buying a place up here. I’ve often thought of opening an Express office up here just to have a reason to be here more often. I brought up a nice endurance run to Becky specifically because it meant a trip up here several years ago. I’ve completed two marathons in the UP. There are many memories we made with Dad up here as well on a few trips up here. So many wonderful moments, memories, and escapes up here.

Each time I’m up here my heart tells me I’m exactly where I need to be right at this moment. Just as it’s telling me again today. My soul just feels at home up here.

Do I still want to move up here like when I was younger? Nope; the winters are way too long for me. I think I’m finally realizing that the appeal to the UP is more of a retreat back to quiet and solitude. If this was an every morning thing it wouldn’t quite be the same. Hmm… food for thought for Future Mike when he reads this again sometime:

I appreciate it more specifically because it is a limited resource, my time here is finite. It is more easy for me to be grateful for the time I have up here specifically because I know it will end long before I want it to. I must enjoy each second, be in the present each second, and live each second here to its fullest. Funny thing, this is the view I should also have about life and time. Sometimes I don’t see it the same way as it feels so much more infinite as there’s not a scheduled date and time within a couple of weeks in which I know it will end. How can I remind myself more frequently that life is finite, my time is finite, and need to live with this in the front of my brain at all times. Never with a fear or worry for death, rather as a way to remind me to truly live in each moment. – Mike Kreiling, 6/22/2020

Whoa… that was deeper than I thought I was going today – sorry gang! I’m totally going to add a note in the title to give you a heads up that this was coming.

So here I am, home for the present. I am so thankful for the opportunity to experience the beauty and serenity of the UP again. My soul is already feeling recharged.

Ok – for reals – if you haven’t been up to the UP before please add Copper Harbor to your bucket list. Look it up, it’s amazing! Then again, pretty much anywhere along the coast of Lake Superior is amazing,

Thanks!!!

Watch out world, this one could go in one of MANY different directions. Instead of force fitting my blog into its title I’ll let it write itself and then figure out the big bold letters on top.

I don’t know that I could’ve scripted a much better Father’s Day than this one.

In many ways it actually started yesterday morning for me and the boys and I met up with Steve for our $10 Dollar Store challenge. Each of us had a budget of $10 (plus tax) to buy the supplies we would need to live as comfortably as possible out in the woods for 24 hours. Outside of clothes, sunscreen, bug spray and water we weren’t allowed to bring anything not included in our $10 budget at the dollar store. We love watching Alone on TV and this was a way for us to reality test parts of it.

After hiking through the woods for almost four hours we found a perfect spot to set up camp. Each of us built a shelter and we each built very different shelters. There was a lot of positive support and encouragement all around. We helped each other catch flaws in our plans, helped to share resources, and worked together to solve unexpected challenges. I don’t know that I’ve heard the word “learn” or a variant of it mentioned so many times in a short period of time. Talk about a growth mindset that made me smile wide.

When the sun rose before six in the morning I woke up to eat smiling face of Gavin wishing me “Happy Father’s Day!” Dominic did the same the firs moment we had alone. We broke camp, headed home, and got cleaned up.

The boys presented me with the most epic Father’s Day present they’ve ever made for me – a toolbox with drawers! Dominic created an awesome toolbox and added in drawers of his own design. Gavin added some touches including the wood burning on the front and sides. I was amazed at what a great job they did with it. The only thing they received any help on was using the table saw; everything else they did themselves. To see them build something like this on their own made this papa so very proud.

We got a nice family hike in. We ate lunch as a family. We played a board game. The boys and I played a card game. We ate supper as a family. Throughout the day we’ve had so much time together as family and I’m thankful for every moment of it.

That thought takes me back to last night. I wrote one of the shortest blogs ever as I wanted to stay present with the boys. It was interesting, Gavin was asking about how many straight days I was on and it reminded me that it was right to take a little time to blog. At the same time I knew that part of the reason I blog is to remind me to be thankful for what I have. Almost everything I could ever want was there in that present moment with my boys. Talk about a weird catch-22. Break from the present to blog about appreciating it or stay in the present but then risk breaking the habit that has helped train me to be in and thankful for the present.

After a quick moment of thinking through it I opted to keep the streak alive but know that the words I wrote were not what was important, the way I was living them with the boys was. Tonight I realize that one of the reason that I’m savoring this Father’s Day so much is because of the time and presence I’ve had with them over the past 24 hours. I’m thankful I stayed in that present with them for the overwhelming majority of the time and only broke from it for a moment.

Over the past few weeks I’ve talked with several parents of younger children. As we talk and I can hear the tired tone of their voice I share with them, very honestly, that each day with the boys becomes better and better. Over the past day and a half I’m reminded of this more than ever. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be their dad and to spend time with them. I am grateful for the love, fun, challenges, and excitement they bring into my life. There is no question that their presence in my life helps me to be a better person.

Boys, I love you both tremendously, so much so that mere words will never do it justice. I am so proud of the men you are becoming and am so thankful for the relationship and bonds we have built and continue to strengthen each day. I am so thankful to be your “Old Man.” Love you boys!

Thanks!!!

Quick note – I wrote this one last night and didn’t post right away due to cell coverage. Now we’re back and I can post 😁

Having a ton of fun out in the wild today with the boys and Steve. More details to follow tomorrow I’m sure.

Long story short, an entire day outside, hanging out in the woods and spending time outdoors.

Loving every moment of it, going back to it and being in the present with them.

Thanks!!!

Whew!!! This past week has been a wild one! Work life has been crazy busy. We’ve made several interesting changes and investments and are already seeing some things pay off. More importantly we can all feel the shifting momentum.

As of right now we have over 200 open jobs available in the Eau Claire, Menomonie, Chippewa Falls, and Winona areas. Yes, you read the correctly; 200 jobs. The majority of these are for manufacturing and warehouse positions of many different skill levels. Almost all of these positions could lead to long term employment.

Surprisingly, somehow even in a recession we’re finding a shortage of people who are looking for employment. Had you asked me if this were possible even four months ago I would’ve struggled to find any possible way it could happen. Regardless, here we are now.

And that’s where my gratitude for today comes in. I’ve received some truly wonderful guidance, ideas, thoughts, feedback, and support from so many people over the past few weeks. The ideas and concepts piled up quickly but just as quickly started to blend together in actionable ideas that are very aggressive and yet very complete-able. My teams and I have put together some truly special solutions as a result.

Thanks to all of this great advice from so many we’re about to see some of the best progress we’ve seen in a very long time. As the pieces ad strategies all come together I’m so excited to be able to share the successes with all of those who helped to shape and create it. For clarity this includes all of my teammates as they not only helped in creating these ideas – they’ve been busting their butts to make it all happen. I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to work with them!

Watch out world, there are some very exciting things happening in the world of employment!!!

Thanks!!!

PS – If you know of anyone who’s looking for a new career please send them over our way and we’d love to talk. We pay a $150 referral bonus directly to you after someone you refer works only 75 hours!

My heart is heavy at the loss of my Uncle Frank today, but it’s also been full of joy as I remember times spent with him. He’s helped to create some wonderful memories for me and my family.

Today my mind is continuing to be blown away by the positive impact Uncle Frank left on so many. So many people have shared stories and memories with Uncle Frank over the past few days. Whenever I open up my phone there are more Facebook posts, Twitter tweets, and even new reports about him.

Each shared story and memory has several common themes. The overwhelming positivity and upbeat attitude. The way Frank gave so much of himself. His huge heart. The way he helped other people feel. His passion for the Packers. The loved he shared with everyone.

As the past week has gone on I can’t help but continue to be so grateful for a larger than life uncle. There is so much to learn from how he lived his life. The lasting positive impact Uncle Frank has left on so many continues to become more and more apparent.

A little over three years ago I wrote a blog post about Uncle Frank. When I read it today I couldn’t help but smile and see such more true the post was today than ever. https://thankful4forty.com/2017/02/16/thankful-for-uncle-frank-allowing-us-to-hitch-a-ride-on-his-dream/

Uncle Frank, you’ll be greatly missed by many. You’ve left such a wonderful legacy that will live on in the memories of so many and inspired them to do the same.

Thanks!!!

Want to lose weight? When I dropped 60+ pounds I learned something very important. Exercise and calorie burn are a key component of weight loss. They pale in comparison to diet. I tried everything to fight this and prove it to be wrong. “If the engine is burning hot enough it’ll burn anything as fuel,” right? Nope. Not by a long shot.

When the pounds melted off and stayed off it was when I was fastidiously tracking my food intake. When the pounds have come back on it is usually when I’m not tracking anything. If I’m not focused on intake and tracking it my habits drift away from my goals and suddenly I find myself going backwards.

Yuck… Dieting… Gross…

One benefit of our current situation is a reduction in car time. It’s great, there’s more time to be productive AND more time to live. I’m finding there is a significant challenge to this change that I must work on.

If I’m in the car 12+ hours per week it’s easy for me to read via audiobooks and podcasts. My mental diet is usually very good. I eat my vegetables (some bland business related books and short thought based podcasts), enjoy my proteins (autobiographies and books by favorite authors), and even sneak in a dessert or two (a fun podcast and fiction). It’s very balanced and there is a consistency to it.

I haven’t been driving nearly as much and my diet has really gone to garbage. It’s not that my intake is of bad choices (I’ll avoid FoxNews and CNN like the plague), but rather I’m not consuming as much as I should be.

So that’s probably a little too extreme. It’s not really terrible. That said, it’s not where I want it to be. What I’m learning is what my reading “stable state” is currently. To use Becky’s research terms I’m finding that this “basin of attraction” has caused my “stable state” to change due to the “regime shift.” LOL – I still love the way she explained that part of her work, it really helps me see a visual of how we shift from one “normal” to another.

This is very much like my eating. I now know my stable state isn’t what I want it to be. My mental diet is not as healthy as I’d like it to be. Time to buck up and move it back to where I want it to be. Funny thing is that the term Becky would use for that is resilience. Both of the books I’ve read and am reading currently include Grit and Mindset. The focus of each? Essentially resilience. What did it take for me to lose weight (and accomplish several of the other goals)? Resilience.

I know I can do this and will get back to the mental diet I know I prefer. I just need to follow the steps I know will cause me to be successful: Set the goal, determine the lead measures to get me there, determine how to track my progress, and get to work. Pretty simple.

Bring it on mental diet, I’m ready!

Thanks!!!

One activity that lends itself very well to social distancing is Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga. For the first time in many months I had the opportunity to participate in a real life yoga class again and it was AWESOME!!! Everyone was very spaced out from each other throughout the entirety of the class so it was great way to be able to have a class and stay very safe.

While out on the water there were so many moments when I caught myself chuckling, sometimes aloud. Throughout the entire practice there were little reminders of life lessons – many of which seemed very fitting in the moment for many reasons. Here are a small handful that really hit home:

• Shift slowly – The more you move and adjust quickly the more likely you are to fall. Easy movements keep you dry.
• Stillness is your ally – Balance is so much easier to keep when I quiet my mind and become still. The answers to challenges are right in front of me, slow down and let the clutter get out of the way.
• Go with the waves – Certain forces are 100% outside of my control. Recognize the quickly and go with them as opposed to fighting them.
• Trust in yourself – I can do this. I’ve done this before. The variables may be slightly different, but I know how to be successful. Trust myself.
• Dissect your fear – Quite often I was nervous and that fear got in my way. What was I afraid of? When I really thought about it the worst thing that could happen was falling into water that comes up to my shoulders on a hot day. Did I mention the water was already very warm and refreshing? What was there really to fear? Why would I let it hold me back from anything?
• Choose my attitude – During the practice there were three young men playing loud music, splashing around, and making all types of noise. For one nanosecond I was frustrated. That quickly changed and I choose an attitude of gratitude. With that change I was suddenly flooded back with memories of hanging out with my buddies during summers as kid. We had so much fun doing those exact things they were doing. I couldn’t help but smile when I heard something loud followed by a loud laugh from them. With the wrong attitude I heard noise, with the right attitude I heard joy and nostalgia.
• Presence is the key – There were moments of pure bliss when I totally lost myself in the moment. I felt no worry, no expectations, and no fear. There was only life, love, and a deep appreciation of both in those moments.

So many beautiful lessons wrapped into an hour and a half of serenity. What a blessing it was to attend yoga today.

Thanks!!!

Yeah, there are some activities in life that just never seem to get old. Waking up for an early morning run with Becky is one of them.

This morning the dogs were both exhausted from our time on the boat so we ran without them. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy running with them, but it was a nice change of pace for the day. We didn’t have to stop multiple times along the way. There was no yelling to get them to stop sniffing. As I type this I have to admit I kind of missed that as well…

We ran further than normal and just chilled while we did. No rush, no stress. The sunrise was spectacular. The bright pinks combined with deep reds and dark purples. The wind created just enough ripples on the water to make them shimmer a silvery pink liquid metal. On the run back we stopped in our tracks to watch a bald eagle land on a branch almost directly above us. While we stopped and stared it started making it’s call. What a serene way to start off the morning!

There’s a lot to accomplish this week and starting it off with a peaceful run like that was about the most perfect start I could’ve asked for. Getting some exercise in right away in the morning. Spending time alone with Becky. Enjoying nature’s beauty. Yup, that was an awesome way to kick off the week!

Thanks!!!

There are many quotes and comments that have stuck in my brain throughout the years. They are the guideposts I look to when I’m not sure of the right action to take. These are slightly different from my values. In my values I see the ideals, in the quotes I see context to better help me understand. The majority of the quotes have a story or memory tied to them that help to embed them deeply into my brain. I wish they only came to the top of mind when I called for them, however they often do so exactly when I’d prefer they’d stay hidden in the shadows.

Over the past weeks I’ve been focused on many deep thoughts. Between the anniversary of Dad’s stroke and death, reading a few well timed books, some great thoughts from friends, to getting back into writing, and a few other situations my brain has almost been on overdrive trying to process some seriously intense concepts. What’s interesting is that there are definite connections from one large concept to another. As I think on them I start to see them weave into a larger and interconnected whole. Gratitude tied to presence tied to growth mindset tied to stoicism tied to living while alive tied to purpose tied right back to gratitude. Throw in a little essentialism for good measure and there’s a lot going on in my brain.

So where am I going with all of this? Normally I’d ask this cute little line to help people see the link between what I was just saying and where I am going. Tonight? Yeah, that question was definitely for my thought process. I’m still working this blog out while I type. I’m one part giddy and one part nervous right now. I’m totally opening up my thought process and might end up with a piece fo garbage that I delete (that’s my nervousness). I’m also excited as the blogs written in this fashion in the past have led to some enlightening thought processes (giddy).

So where am I going with all of this? There’s a quote from Blaise Pascal which has been repeating in my brain throughout much of the past week (and it’s in the voice of Father Mark Pierce – that really makes my heart smile!).

“Sometimes when I set to thinking about the various activities of men, the dangers and troubles which they face at court, or in war, giving rise to so many quarrels and passions… I have often said that the sole cause of our unhappiness is that we do not know how to stay quietly in our room.”

Blaise Pascal, Pensée 136

When Father Mark introduced this quote I immediately became best friends and archenemies with the concept. I loved the simplicity of its meaning and I could 100% agree with the statement. I also couldn’t help but continue to squirm more and more in my seat as I felt the crushing weight of what it meant upon my chest. Even after seven years this quote is bound to make me take stock in the gap between who I am and who I am called to be.

Here’s why I am most thankful for this quote / concept. It makes me intensely uncomfortable. The dissonance it causes in my soul is palpable.

I am naturally a person of action. My brain is full of fantastic ideas in a crazily complex imagination. Keeping my mind quiet and focused on thought in of itself without distraction is difficult for me.

All that said, I know this comment is correct. The reason I feel such discomfort is that I know that I haven’t followed it and my life would be better for me if I did. The discomfort this quote causes me also helps push me to action.

Over these past couple of weeks I can sense my thoughts and mindset are reaching a wonderful tipping point. So many thought streams are diverging into one river. I need to help continue to push them in the right direction in order to fully connect. Sending time in thought on them is exactly what I need to do in order to make this happen. Time spend on wasted activity does no good in this endeavor. Quite to the contrary, it sets me back and may cause the ideas to never quite coalesce.

Several times over the past few days I’ve heard this saying (read in the voice of Father Mark) repeat in my head. It’s often when I’m doing something that wastes time and is of no true significance. Maybe I’m playing a game alone. Maybe I’m listening to music to clear my brain instead of thinking. Maybe I’m just wasting time on non-essential tasks when I should really be sitting still with my eyes closed and focused on my thoughts.

Thanks to hearing this quote from Pascal play in my head I’ve spend time on different actions. Even tonight, I was going to just sit, write a short and most likely somewhat insignificant blog and do some Sudoku to quiet my mind. Instead this quote prompted movement. I spent time in thought. I decided to blog as a form of meditation to get my thoughts out. As I do I can feel myself making progress to where I should be going, towards my purpose. What an awesome feeling that is!

Blaise, you mathematical and philosophical genius, thank you for taking time to write your thoughts on paper to share with countless numbers of generations. You were 100% correct and your thoughts have helped me take action tonight. I’ve still got a lot of work ahead of me before I would say that I am good at living it, but I’m sure I’m at least on the right path. As soon as I start to stray I know I’ll hear your voice in my head calling me back.

Thanks!!!

Today presented itself with a unique opportunity to play in the dirt and I totally took it! I had so much fun (for reals) playing shoveling, leveling, and compacting dirt. Ahh, who am I kidding? It really felt a lot like playing! The hours flew by while thoroughly enjoyed the time outside. Isn’t if funny how much my attitude impacts how much joy I find in an activity? If I looked at the same activity as work it would’ve been more of a drag. By looking at it as fun the time flew by and I had a blast!

The boys and I had a nice long ride home afterwards. Again, I’m amazed at the power of my attitude. I know some rides of 30 minutes that have drug on like an eternity. Today? The two and a half hour drive flew by! The boys were both in talkative moods. The whole drive back we shot the bull, joked around, talked about their adventures from the past week, and had a great time. Spending time with them when they were both in that outgoing and upbeat mood was AWESOME!!!

Lastly, I’m thankful for writing this post while sitting under our newest deck project. Over the past week we’ve been putting in lights so we can enjoy some additional outside time during the summer. Tonight we had just enough time to put up the lights and then chill under them for a little bit. Once I’m done typing I’ve already got a book ready to go and then it’s total chill time. Spending time reading on the deck under our new lights makes it all the more peaceful.

Thanks!!!