My Facebook feed today reminded me of an awesome memory from a year ago.  My friend Sammi went out of her way to help me out of a “sour” mood by buying me a box of Lemonheads.  How cool is it that she recognized my attitude and went out of her way to do something to help me out of it?  Here we are a year later and I totally chuckled to myself when that memory popped back into my brain.  In shooting her a quick thank you text this evening she asked what I was frustrated about that day.  For the life of me I can’t remember, but I totally remember how great it felt when she went out of her way to cheer me up.  Thank you Sammi for making me smile and reminding me of how important and impactful random acts of kindness can be.  Thanks dude!!!

Throughout the past couple of days I’ve had several memories of past wildlife experiences that have filled my life with joy.  Last Friday it was the memory of Scout camp.  On our drive to camping with the family we spent time planning a future Scouting trip to Isle Royale and had so many wonderful memories of the hikes playing in my head.  Saturday also included conversations about a nephew’s recent trip to the Boundary Waters that reminded me of my trip when I was a kid.  Also on Saturday I had my time just relaxing in the hammock and thought back to times in Belize with Becky and laying on my back and watching the stars with my mom.  Later that evening I had flashbacks to camping with the boys and my brother last summer as we loaded into our tent for the night.  Sunday and Monday were wonderful reminders of our trip to Olympic and Rainier National Parks as I read my blog posts from a couple of years ago.  One of those days, though I can’t remember which, included much time thinking about the nurse logs that I blogged about and that made me thing of my dad.  Today was a conversation with a teammate that covered The Boundary Waters, Voyageurs, Isle Royale, Glacier, Banff, Yoho, and Alaska.  So many wonderful memories of times escaping into the outdoors to experience nature.

While thinking back to those experiences I am so thankful for them for so many reasons. There’s a sense of being in touch with the universe, a sense perspective, a feeling of complete serenity.  It is in those moments when my heart feels most full and at peace.  What adds to each of those moments is the sharing of them with loved ones and family, especially Becky and the boys.  I’m so thankful for how Becky values and appreciates those outdoors experiences.  Experiences in nature and the outdoors are so much more joyful when they are shared with others.

Ahh…  the outdoors…  Proof there is a God and that The Big Dude Upstairs loves us and wants our hearts to be full of joy.

Thanks!!!

I love texting, emailing and messaging.  They’re so easy, simple and convenient.  The typing is done on my schedule as opposed to someone else’s.  Responses are so quick and simple.  A handful of quick key strokes and the message is sent forth.  So simple and efficient!

Calling or meeting in person isn’t nearly as expedient.  You start off with pleasantries.  Typically the conversations go longer and sometimes go in unexpected directions.  They take so much more time than a simple message or text.  When you close the conversation there are more pleasantries exchanged.  So much more time is taken up than in a short text.

All that said and out of the way, today I’ve had several reminders on why actual conversation is so much better than its electronic equivalent.  In an effort to speed things up and get more done I’ve caught myself relying on less personal forms of communication to get things done.  When I stop and think about itI’m floored by how much longer some things have actually taken and how often there is a lack of action after the communication.

Over the past week I’ve taken time to look at some very interesting data from some of my various teams.  In analyzing their phone call activity I’ve been able to clearly see that levels of success are almost directly in alignment with the number of phone calls they make.  To be clear, as I hear Becky’s voice in my head, correlation does not mean causation.  With that in mind I can’t say they are more successful because of the number of calls they make, but there is more than a fleeting correlation of high call numbers to success in their roles.

Personally, I had an excellent reminder of that while talking with my mentor this morning in our weekly call.  As I explained a particular challenge he helped me peel the layers back and we quickly determined that the solution required more personal communication.  At the root was a reliance on formats of written communication that hit everyone at once and were not personalized.  Moving forward I will not make that mistake again.

Put all of these pieces together and I’m reminded of just how powerful actually conversation can be.  Electronic communication has its place, but it should be the exception more than the rule.  Today will stick with me for quite some time.

Thanks!!!

Yup, I’m thankful for a lot today. Sometimes I can find a theme to weave all the pieces together, but tonight’s not one of those times. Each was very cool in its own way and I wanted to pause to reflect on each.

This weekend was camping with all of Becky’s family, last weekend was hanging out with my family. In just over a week I was so fortunate to have spent time with my mom and StepBrad, my brother and Jennifer, all of my in laws, all four nieces and all seven of my nephews.with as busy as schedules can be at times my mind is blown to realize I was able to spend time with all twenty six of them in such a short periods of time! My heart is full of joy from all that time fighter with them recently.

On our way home from camping we packed up early to head out before a huge storm rolled in. As luck would have it the boys and I were able to watch the front go right over us, we then drove back through and ahead of hit, and then ran into it again. Dominic and I were in awes of the power and force of nature that was on display. Seeing that clear line between calm and storm and feeling the electricity of that tension is one of my favorite feelings in the natural world. I swear I could just feel the pressure building and then pop. So awesome!

After all that time with family coming out off the heals of Becky being out of town for a couple of weeks and it became very clear to me that I needed some chill time. Tonight I listened to that little voice in my head and at one point snuck into our bedroom, laid on top my bed, and started reading. Having a small dose of chill time was exactly what the doctor ordered to help me sleep and then be ready to jump back into a busy work week.

Ahh… and off to count some sheep 😴

Thanks!!!

With a lot of life going on this week I feel like I’ve been on a hyper speed treadmill. From one thing to the next with only brief pauses in between.

While camping tonight I found an unexpected moment of solace… chillin’ in a hammock. For reals, taking a little time to just chill and relax while looking straight up at the sky while rocking back and forth feels exquisite. The boys are swimming with their cousins, there are a few family members near the campfire, and I’m just relaxing for a little bit. Ahh…

Life just seems more simple in a moment like this. Kind of funny, but one of my mentors has been telling me for weeks I should take some time to quiet my mind and think… this might just be the spot to do that, or at least the motivation to follow through on that advice in the near future.

Time to go back to looking up at the sky and listening to nature.

Thanks!!!

Tonight we went to Camp Decorah to pick the boys up from their week of scouting adventures. I’m so thankful that I went along with. For a while I contemplated staying home to chill and take some time to myself. Little did I know that’s exactly what I was about to get at camp!

There’s a magic to going back to Scout camp that brings back so many awesome memories. Hearing stories of Dominic’s SPL leadership experiences filled me with pride, made me smile, and brought back memories of leading in that role. Watching the boys assemble for the lowering of the flags reminded me of so many nights at Camp Tesomas. The fire bowl made me think back to several specific moments still burned into my brain from camps – especially my first campfire. Funny how even over 30 years ago I remember the camp director talking about watching the sparks from the fire ride into the sky and comparing them to our scouting careers and lives.

As I blog we’re waiting in line at Dairy Queen and I’m still bombarded with old memories of scouting… for one reason or another o had to leave camp a little early one year and my dad came to pick me up. We drove home and I still remember talking excitedly about all of my camp experiences most of the way home while he smiled. Tonight I’m doing the same from the other vantage point and I’m wearing a smile.

Thanks!!!

Between work and life this has been a crazy busy week… which is actually kind of wild as the boys have been gone all week! I can only imagine the chaos had they been home this whole time 😁

When I got home from work I was feeling pretty tired and just wanted to relax. Thanks to Becky’s coworker and friend, Lynn Bartsch, we were able to do just that. Instead of either of us having to cook dinner we ate an awesome dish of paella home cooked by Lynn. OMG, it was so tasty and totally hit the spot after a long day..

How cool is it that he took so much time prepping a meal for Becky and I? My mind is still blown by his action, the focus he put into its appearance, and just how tasty it was. As I type this I’m smiling as I’m completely full and going into a full on food coma…

Lynn, thank you so much for the extraordinary meal, it was greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks!!!

One of the benefits of doing this blog daily and then sharing it is the memoires that re-appear each year.  Today was a perfect example of this.  My post from a year ago reminded me of a wonderful act of kindness from a friend.  The post from two years ago brought a peace and calm that I’ll hope to convey through the next few paragraphs.

To properly set the stage I need to start from the start of the day.  My alarm went off and I laid in bed looking up at absolutely nothing in the dark in the direction of the ceiling.  I considered going back to sleep but opted for movement (quick side note – funny how many times something really cool happens when I talk myself into getting out of bed instead of sleeping in…  maybe I should do that more often!).  Once dressed I headed out for a run and as soon as I stepped outside my senses were filled with one of my favorite scents, freshly dug topsoil (I know, it’s weird, but trust me, there’s something magical about it for me).  I paused and took a big breath in through my nose and immediately felt a light breath of wind across my face.  Before the small gust had finished washing across my face I was thinking of my dad.

A couple of years ago today we were on a family vacation in Olympic National Park – exactly two weeks after he’d passed away.  Throughout the day I caught myself talking with him in my head when I had moments alone in the woods.  At one point on a hike that day I spoke to him out loud and said that I loved him and missed him.  Right after I said that a light gust of wind brushed across my face.  I almost froze in mid-step as I was in a densely wooded expanse of northwest rainforest that allowed very little air movement.  I can’t explain the feel in any way other than I could just feel in the core of my being that Dad was saying that he loved me too.  That moment is forever frozen in my brain.

Later in the day we went on a hike through one of the most serenely beautiful forests I’ve ever experienced, the Ancient Groves.  The trees were over 750 years old and had grown in peace for literally centuries.  My dad would have loved that place!  As we hiked through Becky followed her intuition and took the boys ahead of the trail without me a little bit and I lagged behind.  For a short while I felt the presence of Dad walking along with me.  I never actually said anything, I just walked with him and soaked in the beauty around us.  It was quite possibly the most peaceful and fulfilling walk I’d ever been on with him, or with him but without him as it was.  Memories of talking with him about his similar walk in the woods after his dad passed away slipped into my memory.  That was one that I’ll never forget.

This morning between the smell and wind and the general temperature I had such clear memories of that walk in Olympic.  As I ran I thought of Dad often, especially when I had this incredible sight in front of me as I turned a corner…

Thanks!!!

There were almost several different topics today; getting to know a teammate better, laser like focus, rolling up the sleeves, and a handful of others. While I’m still very thankful for each of those things I’ve just got to blog about something that happened late in the work day that still blows my mind.

We had something that had to be shipped out quickly from Eau Claire and after getting an initial quote my jaw dropped at the price. A friend totally stepped up and not only saved us a ton of cash, but they drove all the way up from Winona TODAY to help us out. How wild is that? Making a drive like that to help us out in a pinch! As soon as Ryan pulled up to the office he was smiling from ear to ear and was happy to help. Within a matter of minutes it was loaded up and on its way.

For reals, I was expecting it to cost a lot more, Be a pain in the butt, and just barely make the deadline. Instead I found someone willing to go way above and beyond the call of duty to help us out. If you need to send or ship anything please be sure to give Ryan and the Pac-n-Mail Express team a call – they are amazing!!! https://www.winonapacnmail.com/

Ryan, thank you so much for the help today!!!

Thanks!!!

Funny how there’s a mystique to certain numbers isn’t it? For the past month or so I’ve had today in the back of my brain and have been thinking about what I should be thankful for today. I’ve had ideas of being super deep and philosophical, thought about some type of a countdown of my favorite memories and/or posts from the past 999 days, and even pondered something humorous. The funny thing is that in doing that I was totally missing the entire concept of why I blog daily about something I’m thankful for.

Even throughout the night and day I was way overthinking today’s post. At least today I was tying in concepts from experiences, interactions, and thoughts from today. In putting that much thought into it over the course of the day there were so many things I was thankful for that could’ve otherwise been missed. Alas, I couldn’t quite nail down what the right thing was.

About thirty minutes ago it hit me right between the eyes and I literally chuckled to myself. It was the perfect post for today.

Tonight hasn’t gone anything as planned, but I’ve gotten to spend it with Becky. Who cares the situation, any night that I’m able to spend with her is one in which I’m thankful. In spending time with her tonight I’m spending time with my best friend. Why over think something so simple? I’m thankful for the most precious gift in the entire world, time with a loved one. How awesome is that?

Thank you to everyone in my life that I’ve spent time with in the past 1,000 days since I turned 40, I appreciate you all greatly!!!

Thanks!!!

When I wrote about Plan B yesterday I was focused on being in the moment with family. We had so much fun spending time together, chilling, and shooting the bull.  As we drove home this morning I realized that there was something else related to this weekend (okay, one of many things, but one that I’ll write about tonight).

As we realized the plans for the weekend we had kind of put in place were starting to unravel we went with Plan B.  Nowhere in the original plan for this weekend was the idea of staying at Nick & Jenn’s house.  As luck would have it, that’s where we all ended up.

With very short notice they were incredible hosts, taking care of everything from meals and drinks to sleeping arrangements.  Making room to have six additional guests is not easy work, but they were both completely chill and unstressed the entire time.  It was incredible!  Each time we’ve gone to their house to visit they always take great care of everyone, but this time was even more impressive to me because it was such a spur of the moment thing.

Nick & Jenn, thanks for taking great care of all of us this weekend, we really appreciate it!  We’re grateful for all of the memories you helped us create this weekend, especially on short notice!

Thanks!!!