Day 3,257

Growth:

While I wrote about this relatively recently I can’t help but go slightly back to this topic. Again I find my mind savoring the returns of memory dividends. Multiple times today my mind drifted to the mountains of Patagonia, Alaska, and Canada as well as the epic landscapes of Iceland and New Zealand. So blessed to have had the opportunity to visit each, so hungry to get back to each of them again.

There’s a beauty and a magic to each that calls to my soul. Their rocky and lonely landscape are the backdrop to some of my favorite dreams.

Appreciation:

How awesome that so many sports are live streaming today! Due to a client engagement I was unable to attend Gavin’s football game, but thanks to live streaming I was able to watch the game in its entirety. Of course I would rather be there in person, but this was an awesome proxy. Watching his handful of tackles and couple of fumble recoveries was awesome!

Presence:

We had an awesome first day of training with one of our clients today. In diving into questions about their struggles I quickly found my brain laser like focused on our conversation. Rather than going into solving mode I was listening to, taking notes, and quickly connecting the concepts together. Talk about getting into a flow state!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,256

Growth:

Writing down a goal, even in a very simple manner, can really make a big impact in making it become a reality. Keeping it in front of my eyes daily helps even more. At some point I’m almost more motivated to be able to cross it off the list than I was to accomplish the goal initially!

Appreciation:

We hiked throughout Beaver Creek Valley State Park today and I enjoyed every moment of it! Such a scenic walk through a perfect little slice of the Driftless – woods, creeks, rock formations, hills, and everything one can expect in this region. Walking through that park (as well as a handful of others) helps center my mind. I swear I could wander that park for days on end and not get tired of the view.

Presence:

This long weekend has been such a wellspring of relaxation and calm. So many moments of serenity with no agenda, no plans, and nothing that must be done. For sure, this is really not even close to what my ideal weekend is, but once in a while it really helps to focus my mind and remind me to pause and breathe once in a while.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,255

From the point I woke up this morning to the point I’m now typing this blog I’ve been outside almost the entire day and it has felt wonderful!

We took a walk for the dog right away after getting up, hit the grocery store and went to church, and then came home and ate outside. After everything settled we loaded up our bikes and hit the bike trail for a trip that went way further than either of us expected. Once we got home we made supper, ate outside, took the dog for another walk to the dog park, and then proceeded to sit on the deck while Gavin and I played a game and Becky read. All in all, the overwhelming majority of the day was spent outside. Even now as we sit inside the fresh air is rolling in through our open windows.

Days with perfect sunny weather like this are a treasure to enjoy, no question. Having it happen to be on a day with almost no agenda was all the better! More outside time to come tomorrow as we head out for some hiking on the last day of our three day weekend.

Another couple of benefits to being outside today included all the bonus time alone outdoor with Becky and sooooo much talk about how we are going to use our campervan in the future. So grateful for a partner who enjoys the outside time as much as I do (or more)!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,254

Growth:

Memory dividends pay off again! Over the past two days I’ve had several memories of our Patagonia trip slide back to the forefront of my mind. Songs, photos, comments, and a book have all jogged my memory. Not just that one, but so many other trips have also come flooding back. As we talk about where to go with our campervan we’ve gone back to so many adventures.

As we talked on our ride back from the apple orchard Gavin mentioned how grateful he is for the way we’ve taught him to prioritize experiences over stuff. At sixteen he’s already starting to get it.

Invest in experiences for the memory dividends, skip the stuff, only get the gear you need for the experiences… that’s more than you will ever truly need.

Appreciation:

Not gonna lie, being in bed before 8:30 on a Saturday of a three day weekend so we can get an early start on hiking is exactly what my soul craves!

Sleep early, wake up early, walk or hike while the world sleeps. What could be better than that?

Okay, maybe it gets better by adding a twist… doing that all with Becky as we start mapping out future trips, travels, and adventures.

Presence:

The moment my right nostril cleared out completely and I could breathe through both at the same time for the first time in literally weeks…. So invigorating!!!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,253

Today is the final of the string of birthdays in our family over the past ten days. Happy Birthday Becky!!!

What a year 44 has been, so many memories created, adventures had, and so many laughs and smiles – and maybe even a little adulting 😂.

Going through the pictures of Becky from the past year was quite the trip! Literally! I had forgotten all the adventures we’ve gone on in the last year. She went to other continents, a handful of states, a bunch of national parks, and everywhere in between for life and work. We’ve seen the Northern Lights and a solar eclipse. She got a puppy, we sold a boat, and we bought a campervan. We moved a kid home and moved him back out. It’s been wild!

I can’t imagine anyone I’d rather share this adventure with than Becky. Having a day like this to celebrate her and her awesomeness is very well deserved.

Happy birthday Becky! Many miles behind, even more miles, smiles, and adventures ahead! Love you!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,252

Growth:

Some days just aren’t +2 kind of days, and that’s okay. No need to panic or for concern. Chillax, be aware of why I felt that way, and see if there are things I can do in the future to make a day like this better.

Appreciation:

I always enjoy watching the boys try something new, tonight it was Gavin’s first few snaps of varsity football! Seeing how jacked he was to get on the field for a kickoff was awesome. The nervous energy he exuded was electric, so cool seeing him that excited.

Presence:

Sitting on a couch listening to the storm roll through, so chill and peaceful in spite of the thunder and lightning.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,251

Growth:

Be yourself, not someone else. Try on different versions of yourself in order to find what fits best and be okay with quickly shedding whatever doesn’t fit. Life is too short to be wasted on living into someone else’s dreams or our perceptions of what the dreams of others may be of us. We’re all uniquely ourselves, live into that uniqueness and see it fit the beauty it is.

Appreciation:

The older I get the more moments I realize I am so similar to my parents. From reliving similar events to using certain phrases to reacting in a certain way to virtually anything there are traces of my parents. They’ve indelibly left their finger prints upon me and have crafted so much of who I am. For sure, I’m my own person and have been shaped by so many, but the two of them on such a different level.

As I passed through many of those moments today I couldn’t help but pause and be so grateful for the awesomely positive impact my parents have had on my life.

Presence:

My rides to and from dropping Dominic off at his new apartment for college were full of engaging conversation. Life is full of potential distractions, driving helps to eliminate most all of them. Super grateful for the presence attained through driving today, it enriched my conversations!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,250

Growth:

Rest up and get healthy. Though it doesn’t feel like it, rest can be the best work you do to reach your goals.

Appreciation:

Whew, the summer is just about done. Tomorrow I take Dominic back up to the Twin Cities for college. Somehow the time with at home flew right by. So many awesome memories created, so many moments shared, and now time to transition back into life without him living at home. This seems harder than last year in some ways, and easier in others. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to share this summer with him!

Presence:

Once a week or so we take Leia to doggy day care so she gets some time to socialize. No question that it is one of her favorite days of the week.

This morning she was looking extra pathetic, but the moment I grabbed her leash she shot out like a lightning bolt! She had a puppy smile from ear to ear as she bounced up to the car. She was smiling in the rearview mirror the entire ride there. So cool seeing pure joy like that!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,249

Funny, there were less pictures of Dominic this year than last year, it is almost like he left for college! 😉

While Dominic moved up to the University of Minnesota for a very successful freshman year he was still very much connected with us, just not how we were used to. Like clockwork he would be on FaceTime with us every Wednesday and Sunday night to catch up and share his adventures. When he came home for the summer everything went right back into our normal routine and it has been awesome having him home.

This past year he’s finished his Eagle Scout, made the dean’s list, joined the rugby team, knocked out his first half marathon, and done a fair amount of traveling – including our trip to Patagonia. When I paused to go back through all the pictures of him from the past year I’m still amazed at how the regularity of our times have shrunk, yet the intensity of our love has grown.

So incredibly proud of the man you continue to grow into! Love you dude!!!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,248

Growth:

Some of the moments when I’m most happy for the boys are the moments when I’m not there. Today they drove to Wisconsin Dells with their girlfriends for some fun in the sun! I’m so grateful for relationship there have, it fills my heart with joy. I love the time I get to share with them, but I’m also so thankful for the times they get together alone to keep growing and strengthening their relationship, just like when Becky does something solo with one it bothers me of them. The stronger each of our bonds are the stronger we are as a family.

Appreciation:

The dog park Dominic created for his Eagle Scout project was officially opened today! There was an awesomely well attended ceremony including the family and friends of the woman and dog the park are named for. Watching the dozen or so dogs head out for the first time in the park was wonderful, such an amazing moment!

I’m so grateful for this two plus year journey for Dominic, so many life experiences, memories and lessons for him!

Presence:

Hiking with Becky early this morning was hot, sweaty, and full of bugs… but I was spending time outdoors with her, there was nothing more I could ask for! Those moments of quiet and calm in the woods are some of the best moments of my life.

Thanks!!!