Day 3,400

Tonight as I lay in bed I can’t help but be appreciative of strong friendships spanning four decades. My blog post will be short as I’ve spent the day sharing laughs, talk, memories, music, and fun with lifelong friends – so much so that I’m exhausted and ready for sleep. While the post may not be long I cannot overstate how much I appreciate friends who get us, who love us for who we are, and who always will be there for us.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,399

Growth:

There is a part of Fahrenheit 451 that really pulls at my soul. Clarisse is a joyful spirit who creates happiness in so many little moments of life, like tasting raindrops fresh from the sky. As she interacts with Montag it becomes readily apparent that she cannot comprehend how he is so unhappy, why anyone who is alive doesn’t feel the same joy as she does.

Montag, on the other hand, is woefully unhappy, though he has been for so long that he doesn’t even quite realize it until Clarisse wakes him from his slumber with a simple question:

“Are you happy?”

From that moment on the seed of question, of awakening, germinates and starts to take root.

As I re-read Awareness by Anthony de Mello (again), there was a moment which struck like a church bell on a cold and still winter morning. de Mello shared a story of awakening versus being asleep and it was almost word for word the soundtrack of Montag’s thoughts immediately after the question. As a result of Clarisse’s simple and innocent question Montag was awakened and spends the rest of the story in search of the enlightenment of Clarisse.

The first time I read that question in Fahrenheit 451 I paused and was almost brought to tears. I read it, reread it, and reread it. To see it appear through the fog from another beloved source was astounding.

A simple question we call ask ourselves at any time, “Are you happy?” Ask, pause, listen to your soul, and respond with gusto. I’m thankful I did.

Appreciation:

Once the boys were old enough for Becky and I to leave them home alone we started a habit which continues to this day. Three mornings each week we knock out an early morning jog. This has been an invigorating way to get exercise in with regularity AND have some guaranteed quiet time for the two of us.

After so many repetitions it is easy to forget why I appreciate this so much. This morning I was reminded of how grateful I am for starting my day with her, the opportunity to connect before the chaos and busyness of life. I can’t think of a habit which has provided more long term joy on so many levels.

Presence:

With the busyness of life at the moment I find myself relaxing alone in an unknown house. I sit in the bathtub and enjoy the quiet sound of nothing. My mind is calm, my soul at peace. Relaxation and quiet in the calm of the storm.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,398

Growth:

Attitude and positivity beat skills every single time, no question. When we are under duress it is easy to focus on skill, when we have time and breathing room we can look for a mix of both. I’m regularly being reminded of the effectiveness of mindset.

Appreciation:

Gavin’s project is one step closer to being complete! One of my favorite parts of the Eagle Scout project is having to get approval through a public hearing as it is such a unique opportunity for Scouts to get. Public speaking, government action, presentation, preparation, troubleshooting – so many skills are allowed to grow in this environment, I’m so glad he had this opportunity!

Presence:

I am totally loving the sunsets this week! Spectacular colors to match up with the scenic river valley views. Need I say anymore than this picture from this evening?

Thanks!!!

Day 3,397

Growth:

Sometimes you just gotta call an audible, even though there were plans in place. Today was a reminder that the goal is much more important than the plan!

Appreciation:

Yet again I’m grateful for the ability of the right people to hold themselves accountable, to be proactive in what they do, to need direction rather than pushing. The right people do the right things at the right time for the right reasons, and it is so rewarding to see them in action. While I’ve interviewed so many people over the past couple of months I’m beyond grateful for the small handful we’ve brought onboard, they’re making a larger positive impact and contribution than I could have imagined!

Presence:

Sure, I usually prefer to keep my mind focused on my breathing and stretching in yoga, but tonight in the quiet space I found a couple of quick and clear answers to challenges I’ve been facing. The clarity of the solutions was a result of temporarily relaxing my mind and giving myself space. In that space, in that moment the answer appeared like lightning, almost knocked me off balance and then just as quickly retreated to the back of my mind once it knew it had been seen and would not be forgotten.

To those moments of clarity which only come after much hard work in a time of quiet.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,396

Growth:

So easy to get lost in planning and dreaming and preparing, to drift away from the present moment. Today I read an insightful reminder from Anthony de Mello that has had my brain focusing more and more on the present…

Life is something that happens to us while we’re busy making other plans.

Anthony de Mello, Awareness

Appreciation:

Slowly taking my own advice, control what I can control, I am only human, there’s only so much I can do… I’m learning slowly but surely, remembering to rest, to prioritize and focus on the most important only. Last night I slept hard and slept well. This evening I’ll get another great night of sleep and will take on a substantial number of challenges tomorrow, but the ones which are most important and the ones I know I need to get done. Tonight I’m grateful for remembering to not take on too much, for getting the rest I need to be at my best, and for remembering to control what I can control.

Presence:

On my ride home a sight caught my attention and drew me right in. The sky was a beautiful pink due to the slow sunset and its reflection on the glare ice of the Mississippi River caused the entire river to glow pink! It was awesome!!! Such an epic phenomena to witness!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,395

Growth:

As a wise flight attendant once said, “put on your face mask first before helping others.” Okay, maybe that was every single flight attendant ever 😉

Regardless, the logic holds. We are no good for others if we don’t take care of ourselves first. Rest, energize, be in best shape (mental and physical), before helping others.

Appreciation:

So much work goes into starting, and it is so easy to get distracted. I’m very grateful for taking the time to map out a plan, share the plan, communicate the plan, question the plan, adjust the plan, and follow the plan. When things are clearly laid out with room for flexibility it is so much easier to follow through.

Presence:

Always fun sharing a favorite book with friends and family. Much of my drive this morning was spent listening to Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Gavin just picked up my paper copy a few days ago and I realized it has been a little bit since I last read this gem. Outstanding work, always worth a re-read.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,395

Growth:

There are sooo many nuggets of wisdom packed into the book Awareness by Anthony de Mello that I still continue to find new insights even after a dozen or so times of reading. In many ways it feels like the stone cutter hammering away on a boulder, the repetition slowly leads to growth and progress even though it doesn’t feel like it, but after a while I am realizing that I’ve made more progress than I thought I had over the year. Slow but steady progress, intentional growth for the sake of being a better person.

Appreciation:

It is so easy for me to make poor eating choices when I don’t prep in advance. If I take the time to make my meals for the week in advance I end eating way more healthy and with much more intentionality. This morning I ended up spending a good couple of hours making my lunches and breakfasts, but they are so much more healthy AND are more along the lines of what I should be eating (complete with portion control, my achilles heel). Thanks again to James Clear and Atomic Habits for helping me find ways to create the small habits I need to hit my goals!

Presence:

Dominic has left to head back up to the Cities for school and work. For a few weeks all four of us were largely here, I am so grateful for all of the time we were able to spend together in all configurations of our family. While I would always like more time with all my family I am finding myself more and more grateful for each of the moments we have. This weekend was loaded with time together, my heart is full.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,394

Growth:

Time to re-charge doesn’t only mean being idle, it is in doing what refills and refreshes. Today it was found in completing steps towards larger goals, action, but action intentionally and towards a purpose.

Appreciation:

Such a full day today! Having time to work proactively rather than reactively felt amazing. Throw in time in the woods with Dominic, games with the boys, and even the time in which we all were taking on different household chores and it was s day of joy and productivity. A fulfilling day in so many ways!

Presence:

So many laughs with my boys tonight, always a highlight! Even laying in bed hearing them laughing together brings a smile.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,393

Growth:

The only way to become excellent is to be endlessly fascinated by doing the same thing over and over.

James Clear, Atomic Habits

Appreciation:

As Chuck Palahniuk put it in his book Fight Club: It’s only after we lose everything that we are free to do anything.

A fresh start, a clean slate, the perfect opportunity to unleash the true self.

Several times today there was pure openness and sharing even though it could have been uncomfortable. Rather than share things as if like them to be I shared them as they are AND was candid of where I see them going.

Unguarded. Freedom.

Presence:

The moment of quiet, when all the dust from thought settles, and everything shifts sharply into focus. Seeing the path with clarity. The rush of confidence, the optimism of a bright future, the understanding of a strong foundation built.

The moment the eyes see with clarity.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,392

Growth:

Which attitude do I choose?

Attitude is a choice, a choice to be made each moment of each day.

Today I chose often, occasionally my emotion chose. Tomorrow I will grow as a result of both.

I’m reminded of a quote from Ender’s Game:

He could see Bonzo’s anger growing hot.  Hot anger was bad.  Ender’s anger was cold, and he could use it.  Bonzo’s anger was hot, and so it used him.

Orson Scott Card, Ender’s Game

Appreciation

I’m amazed at how easily one can flow between emotion and calm logic. So much of my life has been ruled by my emotional self, as I grow older it becomes easier and easier to cede control to logical awareness. As my emotions boil up my awareness of that heat almost automatically signals for the cooling waters of calm to be released.

All is temporary, why burn emotional energy when one could less stressfully and more productively channel logic?

Presence:

My ride to work really helped me shift into the correct mindset even before stress arose. Working through Atomic Habits, reviewing Awareness, and quiet times between both as I paused to think and reflect filled my reservoirs before I knew I would need them.

Thanks!!!