Author: Michael Kreiling

Thankful for Society, How Little We Really Need, & Finding Beauty in the Moment

Day 3,347

Growth:

When in doubt, listen to this song: Society by Eddie Vedder

Appreciation:

How much more do I have than what I need? How much do I want which I truly do not need? How little do I actually need to find joy in life? When do I find myself unhappy due to the lack of something I truly don’t need?

As I am reminded of so many times, there is very little needed to find joy in life, to create a fulfilling life. From my experience I would assume that it only requires intentionality, presence, and gratitude – everything else will take care of itself.

When I find a sadness, an emptiness in my heart, I should remember these lyrics and look inward to see if it is a lack of something that it causing the hurt. If the pain is a longing for what I don’t have I must remember to intentionally choose to be happy without it, to be in the moment, and to choose a mindset of appreciation for what I do have. We cannot be sad and grateful at the same time, choose appreciation.

Oh, it’s a mystery to me
We have a greed, with which we have agreed
And you think you have to want more than you need
Until you have it all you won’t be free

Society, you’re a crazy breed
I hope you’re not lonely without me

When you want more than you have
You think you need
And when you think more than you want
Your thoughts begin to bleed
I think I need to find a bigger place
‘Cause when you have more than you think
You need more space

Society, you’re a crazy breed
I hope you’re not lonely without me
Society, crazy indeed
I hope you’re not lonely without me

There’s those thinking, more or less, less is more
But if less is more, how you keeping score?
Means for every point you make, your level drops
Kinda like you’re starting from the top
You can’t do that

Society, you’re a crazy breed
I hope you’re not lonely without me
Society, crazy indeed
I hope you’re not lonely without me

Society, have mercy on me
I hope you’re not angry if I disagree
Society, crazy indeed
I hope you’re not lonely
Without me

Eddie Vedder, Society – Into the Wild Soundtrack

Presence:

How rarely I pause my mind long enough to notice the bits of beauty hidden in plain sight all around me. This evening in yoga I was in a figure four and my mind was calmed enough to watch the flickering of the candles reflected off the ductwork in the ceiling. There was no pattern to the movement, it flowed and bounced, and it was a perfect focus for my attention in the present.

I was reminded of one the favorite hours of my life in the outdoors. While backpacking I sat in the sun on a rock in the middle of a stream. As I sat still my brain focused on all the magic around me. A giant dragonfly flew in and proceeded to zip around. When I focused closely enough I could see the mosquitoes it was eating as it moved from spot to spot. Without realizing it I spent an entire hour sitting still in that stream enthralled by the spectacle of nature which is always there, but I rarely take the time to observe.

Beauty, true beauty, can be found in any moment so long as we pause and watch for it.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Using Tech Correctly, the Deck I Built with Dad, & Hiking (again)

Day 3,346

Growth:

Technology can really help us build connections when used correctly. Today we were able to FaceTime with each of the boys, yesterday we did the same with all four of us at the same time, even though we’re in different states and continents currently! Gavin was able to share pictures and jokes via our favorite social media messenger app. Throughout the day Dominic, Gavin, and I shared music we each enjoyed. Gavin sent all of us pics of all the sights he has seen in Germany. Becky and I used technology the right way for us while hiking, we shut it off completely and enjoyed conversation without electronics. When used the right way (and turned off often), what a gift technology is!

Appreciation:

This afternoon I was removing some old boards form our deck. It was build by Dad and I about twenty years ago and one of my projects for next year is to build a new deck. As I started taking it apart this afternoon I couldn’t help but think back often to the time I spent with Dad building it in the first place. I initially felt a little sad about taking apart something we’d built together, but I quickly realized that what we built together many years ago was not what I was taking apart now. This was only the deck, old beaten up and weathered boards. What we’d built back then were poignant memories of working together, of enjoying each other’s company, and of spending time with each other. The boards may be removed, but the memories not be erased.

So many moments of learning to work together as we built that deck! We learned about how much wood we could actually load into his pickup. We then found out that there was a weird policy at the store we bought it from and one of us had to stay with half the load while the other delivered the first load, unloaded it at the house, and then drove back. I personally learned why it is not a good idea to pull out too rapidly with a truck bed full of decking materials. Dad learned how much he would have appreciated having a cell phone to figure out what was taking me so long to come back for the second load as I was re-loading the lumber into the truck from off the pavement in a somewhat busy road. As you can imagine, as we traded stories afterwards we laughed and laughed! What wonderful memories the entire project was!

The things we build with our hands will eventually age and turn into dust and ash. The time we spend with loved ones making memories will burn in our souls forever.

Presence:

I kind of feel like this is becoming a bit of a broken record, but getting outside and hiking the trails with Becky to start off the day is pretty epic! Nothing quite like the fresh air and exercise while enjoying the views from the bluffs. Certainly my happy place, the trails. A couple of specific moments really stuck out. Standing atop Miller’s Bluff and taking in the view of the city below and river, woods, and bluff surrounding. Catching a spectacular fall scent form the leaves, almost a spicy old cigar box kind of smell (you gotta trust me, it is a wonderful aroma!). Throw in focused time with Becky and I talking as we hike and I couldn’t ask for much more than that!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Rewarding Days, an Awesome Partner, & Living Vicariously Through the Boys

Day 3,345

Growth:

Some of the most rewarding days are the ones in which I keep busy from start to finish with little pockets of relaxation in between. Today was a wonderful balance of 75% busy to 25% chill.

Appreciation:

With that that was knocked off the task list already today I’m feeling very positive for tomorrow. What’s been all the better are the pockets of time spent with Becky! We’ve often been going in very different directions, but there were also many ones in which we were shooting the bull, joking around, or enjoying each other’s company. There was much gratitude from each to the other which also seemed to make it easier to keep working diligently on our tasks. Beyond grateful for a partner I positively enjoy spending time with AND puts up with me in all of my idiosyncratic glory! 😉

Presence:

Nothing quite like living vicariously through our boys! Spending time with them on FaceTime and texting was amazing today!

Gavin shared all the fun he’s been having in his first couple of days in Germany. Dominic was all about the Gophers football game and his seat in the second row. Both having the times of their lives, smiling, laughing, and experiencing life in the present moment.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Repetitive Clarity, Morning Runs, & Engaging with Engaged People

Day 3,344

Growth:

Clarity and repetition. Get clear on what is most important. Focus on it over and over and over. Just when you start getting bored it is likely just starting to sink in.

Appreciation:

Our morning runs are such an invigorating start to the day. Getting the blood pumping, the lungs expanding, and the body moving – and that’s just the physical part! My brain functions better and faster after our run, there’s much more clarity. In spending time with Becky without distractions we are able connect right away in the day (especially when we are not running into a 15+ mph headwind 😉). It’s also great for my soul, starting with discipline and accomplishment, foreshadowing what is possible for the rest of the day.

Presence:

Is there anything better than spending one on one time engaged with teammates who get it, see the vision, and are ready to run through brick walls to get there? In those moments virtually everything feels possible.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Choosing Growth, a Leadership Lesson, & a Gavin Good Morning

Day 3,343

Growth:


“Pleasant experiences make life delightful.  Painful experiences lead to growth…  Suffering points out an area in which you have not yet grown, where you need to grow and be transformed and change.  If you knew how to use that suffering, oh, how you would grow!”

Anthony de Mello, Awareness

So easy to be happy when times are good. So tempting to wish for ease and happiness when we are struggling rather than accepting the pain.

Intentional action and focus are needed to remember to be present in moments of suffering, our natural tendency is to avoid the suffering, but we must choose to face it head on, accept it, AND maintain the unwavering faith that it will lead us to growth.

Choose to mind the GAP, choose Growth, Appreciation, and Presence.

Appreciation:

While this likely could slide into the Growth section just as easily it feels right settling into this place as the focus of my gratitude today.

Leading others isn’t about telling others what to do. It lies in laying out a vision, finding people with similar values and passions, and the providing the resources they need to accomplish great things.

The more I’ve pushed, managed, and directed the worse I’ve led. The more I’ve equipped, opened up, shared a vision, emboldened, and set free the more great things my teammates have done and created.

So many reminders today that my teammates can accomplish so many amazing things so long as I remember when to step back and allow them the space to grow.

Presence:

This moment from so many years ago still maintains clarity even after more than a decade. Pure joy, excitement to be alive, gratitude for the new day. If I ever need a smile this clip nails it!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for a Productivity Paradox, Play and Flow at Work, & a Movie with Gavin

Day 3,342

Growth:

Constraints can be some of the best change agents we could ever ask for. When time and energy are limited there is not time to waste on the superfluous, only the truly important withstands. Today that hyper focus helped me to not only have a productive day, but to make better choices and take better actions than if I had more time. Such a paradox!

Appreciation:

Two of my favorite work related tasks are touring manufacturers and creating an effective workforce solution. Today the two were entwined as one and I spent 90+ minutes feeling as if I were playing in a state of flow rather working.

Presence:

Watching a comedy with Gavin and laughing our butts off the night before he heads out on his European adventure was a perfect way hang out with him. Definitely a night I’ll remember with him!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for a Quick Time Saver, the Energizer Bunny, & a Reckoning

Day 3,341

Growth:

Quick time saver, crush the Unsubscribe link in junk email. Takes a second, saves hours over time.

Appreciation:

I really could’ve have gone right back to sleep when my alarm went off at 4:40 this morning. It was raining, the wind was howling, and it was early in the morning. Thankfully, Becky pointed out the gap in the radar that showed just enough time to get our run in. I got out of bed, begrudgingly, and got my butt in gear. Next thing I knew I was feeling great and riding a runner’s high as I got my lungs and heart pumping.

My run made all the difference today and really set the pace for the day. I’m super appreciative of my Energizer Bunny of a running partner for helping me live into a better version of myself today!

Presence:

The moment of reading one of my favorite and most influential business books and realizing where I strayed from it and how it impacted my leadership ability… a profound reckoning.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Working to Strengths, a Quote on Living, & Many Connections

Day 3,340

Growth:

Get out of the way of people’s strengths. Share direction and vision, step back, and watch them accomplish more and greater than they could with step by step instruction.

Appreciation:


Stuff your eyes with wonder, live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.

Ask no guarantees, ask for no security, there never was such an animal. And if there were, it would be related to the great sloth which hangs upside down in a tree all day every day, sleeping its life away.

To hell with that, shake the tree and knock the great sloth down on his ass.

Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

Presence:

Taking time to reflect on all the conversations and connections made today was a wonderful way to spend a significant portion of my ride home today. Each of those connections involved a great deal presence, were incredibly engaging, and were each stuffed with so many ideas and opportunities for learning.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Making One Decision, a Beautiful Sermon, & Hiking with Purpose

Day 3,339

Growth:

One of my favorite thought leaders shared advice he’d received from a mentor which had a dramatically positive impact on his life…

Don’t make one hundred small decisions when only one will do the trick.

Pause, consider the route issue, and solve it once rather than through a series of small decisions. Simplify the issue, solve it once.

Appreciation:

This morning Father Dodge shared a beautiful homily based on an experience on a silent retreat a handful of years ago. The story is his to tell, not mine so I’ll just share my thoughts. In the story I felt so close to Dad and was reminded of so many instances when I swear I can still feel his presence.

Love is eternal, it is the on ed thing which will survive everything. What as reminder in these times to focus on love over anger, on love over envy, on love over fear. Love is the true answer, and it will always be.

Presence:

In helping Gavin with his Eagle Scout project we went to the trail he’s making signs and benches for. We looked for the best locations for benches while also attempting to identify tree species for signs. Walking in the woods always brings a serene state of presence, but the search for specifics really focused me even more. Doing it with my family made it all the better!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for the Search for Salvation, My Icelandic Tour Guide Buddy, & Walking in the Woods

Day 3,338

Growth:

We have everything we need to be happy, but we aren’t happy. Something’s missing. I looked around. The only thing I positively knew was gone was the books I’d burned in ten or twelve years. So I thought books might help…

…Most of us can’t rush around, talk to everyone, know all the cities of the world, we haven’t time, money or that many friends. The things you’re looking for, Montag, are in the world, but the only way the average chap will ever see ninety-nine per cent of them is in a book. Don’t ask for guarantees. And don’t look to be saved in any one thing, person, machine, or library. Do your own bit of saving, knowing you were headed for shore.

Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

Appreciation:

When we went to Iceland in June of 2022 my life was altered by the majesty and exquisite beauty of the landscape. It remains one of, if not the most, breathtaking locations I’ve had the pleasure of visiting.

We spent a day hiking on a glacier and ice climbing with a guide named Martin. He took time to help us learn more about Iceland and fielded our hundreds of questions. After the excursion we connected on Instagram and had kept in touch a bit.

As we prep for our upcoming trip back to Iceland he’s helped out so much in getting us lined up for another adventure. This morning out of the blue he made me aware of a new cave they just discovered! Guess who’s signed up for a tour of it when we go!

So thankful for all the help from our first trip, got the help planning my second, and for shaping my third. Cheers to the people we meet who continue to make a positive impact from an ocean away!

Presence:

Getting into the woods for a nice walk in the morning felt amazing. Starting with fresh air and motion always helps the day feel so much more peaceful from the start!

Thanks!!!