Day 3,387

Growth:

We do more of what we focus on. Thanks to the ongoing focus on what my biggest goals for the year are I got my first backpacking / hiking adventure all set and planned! Super excited to get this year rolling!

Appreciation:

I’ve loved and appreciated the bonus time with family over the holidays. Between work and travel for Christmas it’s been a nonstop go go go kind of couple of weeks. This weekend we’re at home with minimal plans, lots of time to just be home and get back into the swing of things. Here’s to normalcy!

Presence:

Yeah, I’m kind of a sucker for this and there’s an ongoing theme pretty much since the time I’ve started blogging. Getting outside, especially hiking with family, is where my soul feels most at peace and free. The woods are home.

This afternoon the weather was pretty chilly, but the sun was plenty to keep us warm as we hiked through Perrot State Park. We spent time walking, talking, taking in the sights, and also the sounds of the ice. Amongst the most memorable moments today were the sounds of the ice singing with its cracks and heaves.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,386

Growth:

The wrong people seem alright, the right people blow your socks off. Remember not to settle, keep meeting new people until you are thoroughly impressed.

Appreciation:

When sharing our story we often rekindle the passion for what we do and what we have grown through.

Presence:

One more quick family dinner and a board game with the four of us before Dominic heads out on his next adventure were an absolute treat!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,385

Growth:

Find the right people – the ones who wade into a storm of chaos, fight their butts off, quickly solve the challenges they face, and smile all the way through. Those are the warriors who are fun to work with.

Appreciation:

Small actions make all the difference. Jim Collins talks about making a 20 mile march as a comparison to keeping a slow but steady consistent pace in order to make significant progress without burning out. As 2025 slowly takes hold I’m working on one little step at a time, one foot in front of the other, and while there’s not a crazy leap of progress there are subtle signs of awareness and change. In the past I’ve attempted sweeping changes, this time around I’m focused on slow and steady improvement, less, but more.

Presence:

Going in a slightly funny sideways direction on this one. I had an amazing dream last night! In my sleep I was traveling to Iceland again, which in of itself was an excellent start to a dream. As I went through security I was talking with all the security and airport people on a first name basis as I’d been there so many times I’d gotten to know them all so well!!!

That’s a dream that left me smiling AND gave me another life goal!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,384

Growth:

Take time to get done what needs to get done. Cut out the crap that doesn’t lead towards goals and dreams. Important trumps the merely urgent.

Appreciation:

This was exactly the day I needed. No agenda, no phones, no plans. After waking up and having breakfast I hit my pile of work from the past week that I’ve needed to get caught up on and enjoyed coffee while working. Get in a run with Becky, shower up, and get right back to work. Have lunch, chill, update my dream list, play a game with the family, get a little more work done, and then wrap up my 2025 planning session. Off to bed shortly and starting fresh tomorrow.

Having a day to purely catch up was tonic for my mind!

Presence:

So many moments of thoughts, so many notes scribbled into my phone. The past few months have been my preparation for planning for 2025 and getting my goals in line. Each moment was a fleeting thought, but when combined with all the others there’s an awesomely powerful flow of cohesive thought. As input together my 2025 goals and plans they almost wrote themselves!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,383

Growth:

As I continue reading The Choice by Dr Edith Eva Eger I continue to hear the challenges she faced in her life which I cannot begin to fathom. The minuscule obstacles I face pale in comparison to her difficulties. What really caught my attention is how often she stayed positive and brought up the possible sufferings of her assailants and did her best to find a way to feel bad for them, to pray for them. Her strength, optimism, love of humanity, and resilience continue to inspire.

Appreciation:

So many opportunities for growth, the obstacles which help us grow stronger, the frustrations we push through, and the challenges that test us. They are frustrating, cause stress, and can be difficult to face, but they are all opportunities to grow into the people we can potentially be. Without them our resilience atrophies and our will weakens. Face the stresses, the hardships, the challenges head on and grow into who we are meant to be.

Presence:

Ending the year at home with the family playing games, eating dinner together, and chilling on the couch… perfection!!!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,382

Growth:

Powerfully insightful quote from the great philosopher, Epictetus:

If you are ever tempted to look for outside approval, realize that you have compromised your integrity. If you need a witness, be your own.

Epictetus

Appreciation:

Be fully present where you need to be… one of my mentors shared that over and over. Tonight in my ride home with Dominic I was going to work the two hour drive home. Instead I paused, realized that the work could always be done later (by waking up a little earlier), but my time with Dominic is very limited. I took advantage of the gift I was presented, the present of presence, and I committed myself completely into the conversation. I cannot begin to express what a wonderful gift it was to have bonus time in conversation with him.

I was present where I needed to be in that moment.

Presence:

Investing in memories and experiences, what else is there? As Dominic and I spent four hours in the car driving to and from work today there were so many times in which our conversation drifted towards experiences we’ve shared, memories we created together. In each of those moments we intentionally created space, chose to focus on the present, and we’re living in the moment. Regardless of anything which would happen in our lives those moments and memories can never be taken from us. What a gift we gave ourselves and each other!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,381

Growth:

Reading “The Choice” by Dr Edith Eva Eger has been deeply moving. Her story of surviving the Holocaust shares the unthinkable atrocities she and others endured, but is just as filled with the hope, gratitude, and love she carried with her throughout the experience. Hearing about her staying positive in situations I cannot begin to fathom reminds me more and more of the choice we all have to make, how we will face the adversity in our lives.

This will be a book I read at least once per year.

Appreciation:

There are some moments shared between father and son which seem to be canon. Today Gavin and I shared a handful of those moments while we worked on his car. Nothing crazy, minor maintenance, but as opportunity to get greasy hands together as we discussed how the whole system operates. A changed cabin air filter, cleaning the engine air filter, changing the headlights, all a chance to true our bonds as father and son, just as Dominic and I have done in the past.

So grateful for moments of bonding while sharing useful knowledge.

Presence:

Observing the boys getting all jacked up for the football game was a ton of fun. The ups, the downs, and all the emotions in between. It brought back so many memories of watching games as a kid and watching Dad get himself worked up into a lather while watching his beloved Packers. Seeing them together as brothers sharing their passions always brings joy to my soul.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,380

Growth:

“Nature everywhere speaks to man in a voice, that is familiar to his soul.”

Alexander von Humboldt

When in doubt, start the morning in quiet drinking a cup of coffee while reading a thought provoking book.

Appreciation:

Okay, maybe I sound like s broken record, but spending time with family during Christmas is a gift. To have time to relax and talk, to joke and play games, to connect and enjoy time together, a gift to be grateful for. I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to share this time with family, to create new memories, and to be ourselves together.

Presence:

The sense of awe while being only a few yards from a cougar at a zoo, hearing a lion roar, and observing people only a chi link fence away from a tiger…. All the moments of awesomeness experienced at the zoo with family.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,379

Growth:

Suffering is universal, but victimhood is optional.

Dr Edith Eva Eger

Appreciation:

Getting together at Mom’s for Christmas, always an awesome time with family. Today I’m very appreciative for the opportunity to get us all together and all the traditions that go along with our time together.

Presence:

Spending time laughing, talking, and catching up with family at Christmas at Mom’s – always an excellent time!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,378

Growth:

The right people will see the adventure and excitement in a new endeavor rather than the difficulty and frustration of an obstacle. Remember that – the right people will be in for adventure, have a positive attitude, acknowledge the challenge, and see the opportunity to prove themselves. Don’t shy away from sharing the reality of a challenge, share the craziness and challenge ahead, and watch for the ones who smile.

Appreciation:

The more and more I dig into this project the more and more grateful I am for tearing it down to the studs. With all the old plaster and drywall out of the way it is so much easier to see the future of the space. As more and more is removed, more and more opportunity presents itself. This project is already helping me experience the beauty of my 2025 theme, “Less, but more.”

Presence:

Spending a day working with Dominic was awesome. We rode 90 minutes together in the morning, worked in the same office, had lunch together, put in more work, and then drove 90 minutes back home. A long day for sure, but one we’ll both remember for a variety of reasons! Nice to have some bonus time like this with him!

Thanks!!!