Day 3,571

Growth:

When in doubt, go to yoga, read a book about someone who’s done something you love, spend time with a loved one, get exercise, focus on your breath, take care of the hard thing that needs to get done, relax, take a nap, and enjoy a glass of water. Any single one of those activities deployed at the right time can bring so much more joy than one would expect.

Appreciation:

Dominic headed back up to The Cities last night, Gavin took off up north for his adventure at “Camp Grandpa” this morning. Becky and I got our normal run and morning routine in before work, and then after work was a little test run of what life will likely be like in about 13 months. We were able to eat supper early and right after work. We had time to chill before yoga. We had our usual Monday yoga date night. We came home, relaxed for a little bit and now I’ll be heading off to bed nice and early. If this is empty nest life I think it’ll be okay 😉

Presence:

A bright red sunrise this morning as we wrapped up our run was exquisite! Coppery red, it lit up the sky and sent sunbeams between the clouds and lit up the haze.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,570

Growth:

Three sets of hands are better than one! Work when so much more easily with Gavin AND Dominic helping out.

Appreciation:

Working on the deck has been an excellent opportunity to work with Gavin, today we had some bonus help from Dominic! We had fun, made memories, and were productive. There were some mistakes and challenges, but in the end there were solutions and smiles. So grateful for the opportunity to work with them both!

Presence:

Another day of being outside hiking and then being outside working, great day all around!

That said, this moment on my morning hike with Becky was pretty epic. A spectacular view from atop the Great River Bluffs State Park.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,569

Growth:

There were so many moments in which the roles were reversed for me today! Gavin and I spent a great chunk of time building the stairs for the deck, hours enjoyed in the garage and outside as we tackled a project that was relatively new to both of us. I was reminded of all the time spent working with Dad while simultaneously creating new memories with Gavin – a wonderful combination!

Appreciation:

Nothing like pulling this relic off the shelf when I needed a reminder on how to measure and cut the stair stringers for my deck! This book was seemingly always within arms reach of Dad when he would work on projects. So many years later it was great busting it back out and sharing it and the stories I have with it with Gavin. So many memories!

Presence:

So many jokes and laughs as we built today, I honestly don’t know where to start!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,568

Growth:

The best time to start a healthy habit was yesterday. The second best time is today. Choose the one we have control over.

Appreciation:

Going to bed exhausted from a week day started with hiking with Becky, followed by watching Gavin pole vault, then a lunch with Dominic and Caitlyn, chased by a small dash of downtime, then finished by hanging out with friends – I’m exhausted and ready to crash in a very awesome way!

Presence:

Spending time with friends, talking about nothing important, laughing, and just enjoying each others company – priceless!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,567

Growth:

Take the time to knock out the project completely, just get it done and feel the stress melt away. Tonight that project was packing for backpacking, almost complete and so much less stress!

Appreciation:

So glad Dominic mentioned this book again, such an incredible read!!!

https://www.audible.com/pd/0593557069?source_code=ASSORAP0511160006&share_location=player_overflow

This is my second reading of it and I can’t begin to share how powerful, dream provoking, and emotion invoking this book is. Highly recommended!!!

Presence:

Meeting two people in real life for the first time, the two of them meeting each other for the first time as well, and it feels like old friends having lunch after not seeing each other for a while. Cannot begin to express just how excited I am for the future after that conversation!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,566

Growth:

Simple is better. Follow the process. Remember the intent of the purpose. Stay focused. All lessons I was reminded of today.

Appreciation:

Today I was reminded of the power of turning off the phones, locking the doors, and taking time to pause and think – without distraction. So much of our work lives are harried, we need to pause to process all that has happened around us. This was a very different halftime than in all of my years with Express, and dare I say one of the most successful. Solid on so many levels, great steps for growing forward. None of it would have happened had we stayed rooted in the busyness of the daily routine.

Presence:

Taking a moment at the start of my day to watch this little dude outside my window!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,565

Growth:

The trip itself is always great, but the preparation can be such an under appreciated part of the journey. As Gavin and I prep for our backpacking trip we’ve been spending more time together, having more opportunities to talk, and more topics to talk about. I’m sure the trip will be awesome, the prep has been as well!

Appreciation:

This is truly silly, but makes me smile every year like clockwork. A handful of different friends across a smattering of friends groups all bombard each other with texts each July 1st of “Happy Bobby Bonilla Day”

You can learn more about it here

Every July 1st starts with smiles, laughs, and accounting jokes. Nice to have such a simple yet entertaining day to have each year!

Presence:

Sneaking in a moment to close my eyes, take a deep breath, and clean out the filter in my brain. Two minutes of calm within the storm leading to hours of peaceful busyness.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,564

Growth:

Three for three on physical activity today! Is there any better way to start a work week than by waking up and hitting the street by 5am for a run? If I have the motivation and discipline to do that at the beginning of the week I know I’ve got the week covered!

Appreciation:

I had to take the campervan in for an oil change today, crazy to think we’ve already put almost 11,000 miles on it! Normally I’d catch a ride back but today I realized there was a much better option, I walked the mile back to my office. To pick it up I did the same thing over lunch. It felt great getting some fresh air and activity in the middle of the day like that, a perfect change of pace!

Presence:

Yoga for the win! For reals, what a perfect way to take a deep breath and chill (even though it was in the heat)! On a regular basis I am reminded of the mental healing power of yoga.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,561

Growth:

Don’t waste time and emotional energy on the wrong people.  Save that energy for those who will utilize it AND recharge you!

Appreciation:

Spending time with people with similar energy and motivations is so invigorating!  My work day started off with one of the more productive, efficient, and engaging conversations of my week.  We eventually both had to wrap it up to move on in our day.  Sharing new ideas, collaborating, and learning from each other, all at a very rapid pace!

Presence:

Laughing with family over dinner, reminiscing, sharing stories, celebrating.  Good times!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,562

Growth:

“Harshaw had the arrogant humility of a man who has learned so much that he is aware of his own ignorance.”  Robert Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land

Appreciation:

Great day, struggling with this section for some reason.  Much to be grateful for, but there isn’t one specific thing coming to mind.  I’ve been walking through my day from start to finish and have a quite lengthy list of what I’m grateful for – moments, conversations, thoughts, lessons, and so on – but there isn’t one in particular that really jumps out.  That said, my heart is full of joy as I’ve considered so many of those minor gratitudes.

Now I see it clearly – I’m grateful for this process.  It would have been so easy to go to bed and not reflect on the day.  To skip past all those things I am grateful for.  By spending time writing I’m creating space to reflect and process, to feel joy through what I have already had.

Another day of gratitude, another day enhanced by pausing to write.

Presence:

Quiet time in between events, relaxing and getting ice cream.  Reading a book and chilling, enjoying time between fun times.  Pulling the car over to take in the sight of eight sandhill cranes in a field.  Random yet engaging conversations.  Shared smiles and jokes.  So many moments of presence, so much joy.

Thanks!!!