What do you appreciate the most about extremely cold days? Is it something you notice or see more clearly when it’s an arctic wonderland? What are you reminded to be thankful for in weather like this?

While heading up to Eau Claire this morning I was fortunate to catch this amazingly beautiful sunrise. I’d been enjoying the view for a while and once I saw the steam rising from the creek I knew it was time to pull over for a moment.

The air was so cold that everything seemed to be a little more clear. The landscapes were more crisp than normal. I don’t know if it’s just me being weird or if it has to do with the cold, but I swear everything looks a little more vibrant on cold days like this.

I’m also incredibly grateful for a working car heater – that would’ve been a long and chilly ride without one!

To be honest, I’m much more of a warmer weather person. That said, there’s still some awesomeness to be found in the cold. This morning I was reminded that even the extreme cold can warm the soul when I choose the right attitude.

Thanks!!!

What are the tricks you use to help you remember to choose the right attitude?  When something doesn’t go as planned how do you help yourself pause in the moment and find the right response?

Last night I’d fallen asleep and was headed towards my first full night of excellent sleep since returning from our trip.  Previous nights had resulted with me waking up part way through the night for extended periods of time, but last night was going to be different…

Then at 1:04am my cellphone went off.  I tried to ignore it, but then the house phone rang.  I got out of bed, checked them both and saw it was the alarm company for our office building in Winona.  A quick call back to the security company alerted me to a very concerning issue – the temperature in our office had dropped significantly and we were facing potential issues like frozen pipes and unhappy tenants.  It was apparent that I was going to have to get dressed, put gas in the car, drive 30-ish minutes to Winona, figure out and fix the issue, drive back home, and then attempt to catch a couple of hours of sleep.  As I hung up the phone I was faced with looking at the situation through one of two lenses.

This one:  You’ve got to be kidding me!!!  ARGH!!  This sucks, I was just about to sleep.  Now I’ll never fall back asleep.  This was the worst idea ever.  Why did I answer the phone?  They would’ve called someone else and they could’ve dealt with it.  Why tonight?  Why not one of the nights I couldn’t sleep?  ARGH!!!

Or this one:  That’s kind of a bummer.  Oh well, I guess it’s time for me to earn some of the money we’ve made on this.  No biggie, I’ll figure this out and go back to sleep.  Even if I don’t sleep as well tonight I’m sure I’ll sleep better after yoga tomorrow night.  I’m sure glad that I got u and called back before they called anyone else.  The team’s got a lot going on and they could probably use a good night of sleep.  How could I make this more enjoyable?  Yup, totally going to eat some chocolate and listen to some podcasts while I sleep.  No big deal, this is part of the life I’ve chosen to live.  I’m thankful for all of the past nights of sleep I had before vacation was over, I’ve got some extra zzz’s in the tank.

So I’ll make this admission, I didn’t choose perfectly or stay looking through the correct lens the entire time.  When I caught myself sighing or getting frustrated I forced myself to laugh and then went back to the right mindset.  You know what?  It actually wasn’t that bad or the end of the world.  No biggie.  In a weird way I actually felt a sense of pride when I got home about keeping most of my focus through the correct lens.

There’s always a choice on which lens to look through.  I’m a long ways from perfect in choosing it, but times like this help me see that I’m slowly but surely making progress.  I’m also thankful for moments like this as they allow me an opportunity to practice and improve.

Off to bed for this guy.  Maybe tonight’s the first full night of sleep?  No worries either way, life is awesome!

Thanks!!!

Who’s a family member you love catching up with and why? What are some of the “usual” dinners you have that make you feel even more at home? What are some of your favorite wedding memories? I hope those questions bring some awesome thoughts and memories to mind for you!

No matter how old I may get I still enjoy talking with Mom. While in Australia I didn’t talk with her much. Tonight it was great to have extended time shooting the bull with her and to catch up on some of what’s been going on over the past few weeks. Just a hunch, I bet we’ll talk more later this week as we haven’t gotten around to talking about recent work life yet.

Sometimes I still feel like a big kid when I talk with her, bragging things up, telling stories, getting caught up what’s going on with family. It’s the same types of conversations we’ve had for many years. I’m always thankful for my mom, tonight I’m extra grateful for having the opportunity to catch up with her.

Ahh… dinner at home. Nothing crazy, one of our staples; venison and pasta. I’m thankful for taking the time to have dinner as a family at home. Vacation dinners were fantastic as well, but supper at home is special in its own unique way.

After putting the boys to bed Becky and I somehow got on the topic of past weddings from way back in the day. I still can’t believe just how many weddings we went to in our first handful of years together! It seems like almost every other weekend we were heading off to another one. Funny how even though it’s at least a decade and a half in the rear view there are still so many vivid and clear memories. Spending time reliving them was a great way to wind down.

Thanks!!!

Ever have tough times sleeping? What tricks do you use to bring on sleep? What if those don’t work, what’s your Plan B?

Last night I struggled to fall asleep. I was exhausted but my brain was still thinking it was 4pm at 11pm. After tossing and turning I fell asleep only to be woken up shortly thereafter. The last time I saw the clock it was 2:45am.

While it didn’t quite fit the plan I initially had I decided to learn from past lessons and lean into it. I had a couple of project ideas to create in my workshop but I wanted to see what other inspiration I could find (I figured going out to my workshop at midnight to fire up tools was t the most sensible option 😉). Lo and behold I found several projects! I might even have found a couple of things to add to the puzzle box making.

Sleep would have been awesome and greatly appreciated but it wasn’t the way things worked out. I’m glad I decided to roll with it and was able to turn it into productive time.

This afternoon I was able to head up to my workshop and start creating. With being gone I’ve been itching to work on a couple of projects. In some of my thought time over the past few weeks I’ve really noticed how much enjoyment I get out of making something. Between revisiting my dream book and seeing things related to creating, reading an excellent book focused on woodworking, and realizing how long it’s been since I’ve had more than one simple project I head an itch that needed to be scratched.

Spending a handful of hours up there was amazing! Everything went way more smooth than it had any right to. I even got more accomplished than expected!

Even though it involves work, stress, and deep thought I’m so grateful for the time I get up in my shop. Building and creating really helps to energize me.

No worries about sleeping tonight, I’m off to bed! If I can’t sleep at least I know I’ll make the most of it.

Thanks!!!

How do you determine if it was a successful vacation? Are there mental criteria you use or could it be summed up by the picture of Gavin below?

Mission accomplished!

We’re just about home; only a short hop from Chicago to Rochester and then a short drive home.

Talk about a successful trip. We’ve been going through some of the experiences we’ve had over the past couple of weeks. It’s wild but it seems as if we were gone for more than a month. We packed a tremendous number of lifelong memories into a short period of time and yet feel totally relaxed.

When I think about travel I usually am looking to do the following:

Create lifelong memories with family and friends

Experience new things, see new sites

Create space outside “real life” to breathe and dream

Take time to enjoy stillness

Appreciate home a little more than I did before I left

Fill my soul with joy

New memories with family and friends? Check! So many new memories that we’ve chuckled often and said, “I almost forgot that happened on THIS vacation.”

Experience new things and see new sites? Uh huh! Dolphins, turtles, sharks, kangaroos, and platypuses oh my! Throw in different cultures and a PhD graduation and it was hugely successful.

Create space to breathe and dream? Roger that! Seeing Becky’s PhD journey culminate in graduation was amazing dream fuel. There’ve been many moments in which I was able to put thought into which dreams are most important to me and why. It was great to spend some time working on another dream of mine while I was away.

Time to enjoy stillness? You bet! This vacation had more extra unstructured time than we’re used to and it was a great way to spend time in thought. Driving on “the wrong side” is becoming so much easier and I was able to spend time in thought while driving the countryside.

Appreciate home a little more? Yessir! While I’m still waiting for Becky to say, “Let’s move to New Zealand (or Hawaii),” I’m thankful for what we have where we have. There is much to be thankful for at home. I’m even excited to see the dogs! By the way, our own bed is going to feel AMAZING tonight.

Soul filled with joy? You know it! My heart is about to burst. So many memories made, so much time with family, celebration of Becky’s success, time in thought, time with the boys; it’s been pretty much heaven! Oh yeah, the 80+ degree weather, extended sunshine and beautiful ocean views don’t hurt either. 😉

Back to reality on Monday. Bring it on reality, I’m ready to dive back in with about the biggest smile and a heart so full of joy it’s about to burst. Looking forward to Monday 😁

Thanks!!!

What’s a great book you’ve read that really got your mind turning? Which one had such an excellent message that you couldn’t help but start using what you learned immediately?

My friend Mike Dieter recommended both of Bob Goff’s books awhile back. I loved the first one and took it to heart (I’m pretty sure I even blogged about it, but due to being on a flight without wifi I am unable to confirm that). This second book, Everybody Always really caught my attention and has me thinking very deeply about many of the points. Being able to take my time to read the paper copy while removed from the hustle and bustle of daily life was exactly what my soul needed to take it in. Without question I’ll be reading it again in the not too distant future if, rather when, I start to feel the impact wear off a little.

The basic concept of the book is very straight forward. To live a joyful life and to live into our fullest potential we must love everyone. Period. That’s it. Love others.

While on the surface it’s very simple the part that hit home most for me was when I thought about friends and family. I already love them, but sometimes I don’t give them love when I should. Sometimes I get frustrated and angry. Sometimes I don’t treat them with the love they deserve. When I first thought of this group I felt pretty good about doing a decent job, but that was quickly followed by about a thousand different times when I should have acted differently. This book started to help me see more of that gap and how to overcome it.

When the book talked about strangers I felt pretty good about how I usually treat strangers. I give a smile, and sometimes make some small talk. Then as I thought about it I considered how many times I’ve averted my eyes, put my headphones in, or found some other distraction to help me avoid loving a stranger. I was humbled at how many times I have felt that pull to do or say something to help someone smile or to open up to be the person to listen that a stranger may need – but then I consciously ignored that urge and didn’t want to engage with the person. Bob’s stories helped me see so many ways I could be a better “lover of strangers” and how I could possibly help brighten the day for others. The other reminder for me was something one of our priests one shared and something I’ve experienced and received through another; the Holy Spirit works through people. Instead of ignoring those nudges I occasionally feel I should listen to them and really lean into them.

Towards the end the book helped me take a hard look at a spot that I know that I’ve got a huge gap to traverse… loving my enemies. Dang, this is a tough one! Bob shared an excellent example of how he was able to find a way to love someone who do some truly unspeakable things. The interesting thing was that he helped me feel much more human about how this can happen. While he showed great love he also explained (& I’m paraphrasing), “I really hope he’s not my roommate in heaven, but I’m sure we’ll talk”. I’ve filed many of these thoughts and stories and am considering ways to truly take action. This will be a tough one, but I know I can make progress.

On another note, this book also reminded me I should open up the Bible a little more often. In particular, I felt impelled to re-read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 through 7). One particular concept that really stuck out from this book was Matthew 5:14-16.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

This strikes home in two very different ways. First off, it is not right to hide my joy and shield myself from sharing it with others. When I ignore someone that is exactly what I’m doing, covering and hiding my light. On the other side of this thought when I ignore others or don’t take the time to listen to them instead of talking at them I’m putting a blanket over myself and avoiding the sight of their light. By listening and engaging I might be filled with their joy.

Funny how many wonderful nuggets about how to love and live there are tucked away in a few chapters of a book from a couple thousand years ago. I’m grateful that this book has reminded me to go back to it’s pages a little more often to find the help, inspiration, and guidance I could really use sometimes.

Whew, that’s a lot from one book! Mike, thank you so much for the recommendation dude, you knocked it out of the park again! Seeing how you really live so much of this book is one of the reasons I so appreciate your friendship. Thank you for helping me find ways to become a better me.

Thanks!!!

PS: Seeing as we never really had a Black Friday this year due to traveling across the International Date Line I figured I may as well write two blogs today. Also, due to the air travel the way it works out on the way back today will be a 41 hour day for us. If I only blogged once in almost 48 hours I’d probably get all twitchy! 😉

When you think back to a slightly hazy memory and can’t quite remember when the event occurred what are the mental markers you use to pinpoint the approximate date of the event?

Sure, there are some easy and obvious ones like getting married and having kids, but we each have our own memories that help light our path. Which ones do you use? Why are you thankful for each of them? If you don’t have a few that pop into mind right away don’t fret; the next time you’re trying to remember when something happened one or two will come to mind.

I’m especially thankful for these memory markers today as we’re wrapping one big one up today. In years to come I’m sure I’ll pause and think, “was that before we went to Australia” or “was that before Becky became Dr. Kreiling?” These past couple of weeks mark the end of one chapter of life and the beginning of the next. They help establish a timeline better than a calendar ever could. For instance, I could never tell you what year we replaced the windows of our house, but I can tell you it was sometime after Dominic was born and before Gavin was born. Dates are only numbers; mental bookends are life itself.

What I’m thankful for today is a combination of two somewhat contrary things. The mental bookends are the events which mark the time as mentioned above. The other half of my gratitude tonight is for the opposite of the bookends, all the memories that lay between them.

Those memories between the bookends are the overwhelming majority of life. They are all the minor ups and downs that make up our daily life. They might not be the most memorable in of themselves, but the add all the depth to the others. They help the bookends become larger than life. They sometimes get their fleeting moments in the sun as well as our brain stumbles across them or has a light shown upon them.

It’s easy to see these past weeks as a bookend, whether it’s to start a new shelf or complete an old one really depends on context. Regardless it’s a marker made up of incredible memories which will perfectly frame so many awesome daily memories in life.

Thanks!!!

After years of hard work, sacrifice, focus, grit, and dreaming big Becky has officially become Dr. Rebecca Kreiling.

Earlier today she was awarded not only her PhD but also the Chancellor’s Doctoral Research Medal. This prestigious award is given for doctoral research that is of exceptional merit and at the forefront of their field. She was awarded one of only two such awards given at this graduation.

So why am I thankful for Dr. Rebecca Kreiling today? She’s an outstanding role model for the boys and I. In reaching this achievement she reminds us that no dream is too big to reach. We saw her consistent hard work and dedication to reach this dream and were regularly inspired by her work ethic. Her passion for this dream was unbelievable and her grit to reach it was mind blowing. The boys and I are grateful for the inspiration she has been for us through these years.

Congratulations on such an awesome achievement Dr Kreiling!!! We are so proud of you and honored to have experienced this journey with you. It will remind us always of how it is possible to achieve any dream we’re extremely passionate for through hard work and focus. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us! Love you!!!

Thanks!!!

Sometimes it just feels right to be thankful for a ton of things, doesn’t it? Instead of trying to combine many gratitudes into a single theme I figured I’d just roll with it and lay out an extended list today. Just a heads up, there might be some additional ones that pop up after I’ve already written the title so hang on!

Walking: Today we spent many of our hours wandering somewhat aimlessly on trails, across campus, and through town. I did some quick math and realized that we’ve walked about 13 miles each day since we’ve been on vacation – no wonder I feel great! Getting a great walk is in magic for the soul. Whether alone or with others it feels good to move and to be able to experience so many interesting things as I ramble.

Listening to the Rain: As I type this I have the doors of our AirBNB wide open and am listening to the sounds of rain, wind, and the occasional thunder clap. It’s so soothing to hear those sounds in the background. The rhythm of nature is so serene.

Interesting Signs: There’s been no shortage of interesting signs since we’ve been here. The one that still makes me laugh is “Undercover Car Park” for a parking garage. Today’s winner was a sign warning to watch out for koalas.

The Circle Game: The boys and I have an ongoing battle of “the circle game.” The point is to make a circle with your thumb and forefinger below your waist and to get the other person to look at it. If successful you get to punch the person in the arm twice. Yes, it’s completely stupid and juvenile, but we have a blast playing it. Look closely at the picture of Dominic above… He got me well on that one!

Narrowly Avoiding Hitting a Wallaby: Yes, I almost added one to my overly extensive list of animals I’ve hit while driving a vehicle. Dominic and Gavin have been joking the whole trip about hitting a kangaroo. With between 3 and 6 feet to spare I narrowly avoided drilling a wallaby. Whew!!!

Coconut Water: I’m totally hooked on the stuff! Delicious and an incredibly source of hydration, I’ve been drinking it by the quart much of this trip. Love, love, love this stuff!

Hanging Out with My Family: Even though we definitely drive each other nuts after spending so much time together I can’t think of a group of people I’d rather spend this much time with. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to get so much time with them.

Whew! And the day’s not even over yet! So many things to be grateful for today.

Thanks!!!

Tonight we did dinner with Diane and Martin and had a wonderful time talking about all types of things going on in life. One of the things I appreciate about spending time with them is their willingness to speak very openly about cultural differences between our countries. In those conversations there are many times when someone mentions “not that either way is good or bad, they’re just different.” Throughout the dialogue there is nothing but respect for each other and learning more about our cultures.

Throughout the past week we’ve had many great discussions with the boys about the differences between the US and Australia. These have included positive and negative on each side and we’ve answered all of their questions very honestly and openly. It’s been interesting hearing their thoughts and ideas. There’ve been some very interesting insights into their brain patterns.

As I think back through my first trip to Australia and this trip it’s also been interesting to see some differences between different regions. Throw in visits to several other countries and states and it’s been so interesting to see how each culture interacts slightly differently. Each has a handful of things unique to them while most have several underlying similarities so almost all others.

One of the things I enjoy the most of each vacation is a doing a duo of quick thought exercises. “Would I rather live here than where I live, why and why not?” Is the first question I ask myself. I push myself to answer both sides of the coin to fully think through what it is I appreciate and why. The second set of questions is, “What is one piece of the culture I’d like to take with me back home, why is that important, and how can I live it back home?” Sometimes the answers are quite eye opening to helping me learn more about myself.

Long story short, Belize reminded me of the importance of simplicity and not needing “stuff.” Australia has helped me find some ways to keep myself relaxed as opposed to being constantly stressed. Who knows, maybe there’s a future story / article / book to be written about each of those thought experiments 😉

What I’m also so grateful for is the opportunity to help the boys have many of these experiences at a relatively early age. They’re both at the ages where there finding their true north and I firmly believe they are fortunate to have a deep well of experience to go back to. In the case of other I could see them at least studying abroad for a while. These experiences will help mold them and help them create their thoughts and opinions of what they feel is right or best for them. The more experiences we can present them the more options they know are available. I’m so thankful we’ve elected to bring them along on so many of our adventures like this!

At the end of the day all cultures seem to have the same end goal – to live a joyful life. They all attempt to get there in different ways. I’m thankful for the opportunity to learn from many of them to help me find my path.

Thanks!!!