Day 3,481

Growth:

So easy to learn from observing others and considering the advice we would offer them, so often it is what we need to hear ourselves.

Appreciation:

I’m very grateful for the ongoing focus I’ve put on weekly and monthly personal goals. As a result I was able to sneak in some extra mileage and get more prepared for an upcoming adventure. Without that focus I likely would have made other choices either my time.

Presence:

Watching Gavin pole vault always makes me smile!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,480

Growth:

Simple, simple, simple. Don’t overcomplicate that which should be simple.

Appreciation:

Funny how the very things we think and write about can come back to be useful sources of inspiration and guidance. As I work through some challenges I stumbled upon some old notes I’d written and it was interesting seeing the potential positive impact of following my own advice!

Does it make me smart for giving good advice or a moron for not taking my own advice sooner? 😉

Presence:

First trail flowers of the Spring!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,479

Growth:

If we truly want to grow into the people we are called to be we must learn to love everyone, especially those we don’t agree with. This doesn’t mean capitulate to their beliefs if they are harming others, but rather love them help guide them towards loving others as we all should. We must go first if they are to follow.

I’m still very much struggling with this personally as I want to just write off those who seem to be guided by fear, but that is not right. I must love them lest I am in the same situation as I’m trying to help.

As a very wise person is once known to have said,

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother ‘s eye.

Appreciation:

Waking up without an alarm. Making a hot breakfast and drinking fresh coffee. Finishing an audiobook while doing the weekly house cleaning. Making a quick stop to plan a project and then heading to church. Lunch as a family and then off to a hike in one of our favorite parks. Working on prepping for a camping trip while making supper. Relaxing on the couch and reading. Heading to bed early. A very full Sunday, perfectly ordinary, everything I’d hoped for!

Presence:

The time of stillness and calm in the woods, the opportunity for the mind to freely wander without distraction of busyness, goals, and whatnot, to create the space for introspection. Moments of calm in the woods, medicine for the soul.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,478

Growth:

The more I review my goals the more focused on them I stay, the more disciplined I am, the more intentional I act. Review them daily, they will help guide my way.

Appreciation:

Out of the blue we got a text from Dominic that he was going to be home for a while, what an awesome surprise! The five of us (& a couple of dogs) got a bonus chunk of hours together, laughing, talking, walking, playing games, and relaxing. Who could ask for more? Always grateful for bonus time like that!

Presence:

The moment when life is lived into its purpose, a moment and smile shared with a loved one who is no longer with us physically but their presence is still deeply felt. A reminder of all the really matters in live. Love shared.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,477

Whew – almost back up to 100%!!!

I remember spending hours curled up with a good book when I was a kid. The story would wrap itself up all around me and keep a firm grasp on me until I finished it. In high school I read a novel from cover to cover from after practice until late in the evening, I just couldn’t let it go. There are still a fans full of those books on my shelves, reminders of the joy I found in reading so long ago.

Over the past few weeks I’ve allowed myself to get more wrapped up in reading than I have in a while. As I pore over the pages I can’t seem to let the story go. There’s something so calming about going to a book rather than the news, social media, television, sports, and whatnot. A sense of lasting, of enduring. More of a sense of truth, of reality.

Reading is like a hike in the woods for my brain, an opportunity to breathe, to exercise, and to experience.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,476

Another short one, still in recovery mode today.

Inspiration can strike at the most seemingly random of times. This evening I’ve added another dream to the list…

When planning my 2025 goals I knew it was important to remember that “I do more of what I focus on – choose wisely.” One of the ways I’ve been living into this is by reading more from one of my favorite authors, someone who takes on some crazy adventures.

His most recent led me to this crazy idea: http://www.hayduketrail.org/

Bring on the crazy dreams!!!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,475

Short one today due to still feeling like garbage today, but one that I’m very grateful for.

Ever since Dominic went off to college we have a standing FaceTime call every Wednesday and Sunday night. We all hop on together, learn an out what’s been going on in his world, share what’s up from life in La Crosse, and joke around as always. Nice having a regular conversation worked right into our busy lives to help keep us all connected!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,474

Whew – not one to remember for the long haul today, I feel like hot garbage. Touch of fever, sore throat, snotty, gross, and burning chest. Yuck!

Rather than being a moron I made the right call to pause, lay low, and work on recovery. Getting better, bed shortly will feel great!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,473

Growth:

When working towards a long term goal it’s okay if you skip a little just as long as you pick yourself up and get back at it right away.

Appreciation:

Waking up early for our morning run. Getting home while it is still light out, eating supper a little early, and then heading out to yoga date night with Becky. Spending time catching up with Gavin about his school day. Now all chilling on the couch, soon to be all three of us reading quietly. Some of the highlights of the day!

Presence:

Yeah, not even going to pretend that yoga wasn’t one of the most present moments of my day. Outstanding as always, even more so tonight! Lace did an awesome job of keeping us moving in unexpected ways, my breathing and my sweating were my only ongoing focuses. Such an exquisite sensation of presence!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,472

No need to get all verbose today, I spent more hours relaxing on the couch and reading a great book than I have in a long while! So nice to chill, read, take in an awesome story, and go back to one of my absolute favorite pastimes from when I was a kid. I could read for hours on end, today I felt like I could do the same.

Thanks!!!