Day 3,237

Growth:

Sometimes we just need to roll with the punches. Sometimes we need to stand our ground. Wisdom is knowing which is called for. Discipline is in following through.

Appreciation:

Day like this remind me of how thankful I am to have ritualized this practice. I initially started blogging and feeling like today was a rather “meh” kind of day for a variety of reasons. In dissecting and reflecting on the day to write my blog my attitude shifted tremendously. So much to be grateful for, I just need to choose to watch for it and remember it! Wonder interactions, progress on projects, working through challenges, exhilarating exercising, time with family, overcoming challenges, a great book, and the list goes on and on. What felt like a -1 day quickly popped back to a +1.

Presence:

Seeing the bright planet right next to a star in the pre-sunrise sky on our morning run…. Beautiful!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,236

Growth:

Not everything can be fixed, nor does everyone want everything fixed all the time. Sometimes we just need to be heard, to be allowed space to vent, and to remember that not being okay all the time is okay some of the time. When someone was in that space today I listened, shared my support for them, and let them vent. I think we both needed that moment, though for two very different reasons. One was to blow off steam, the other was to remember to listen rather than fix.

Appreciation:

This morning a large utility truck pulled out right in front of me on the highway. I was so frustrated and my anger grew hotter s d hotter as I saw that the one driver’s failure to follow right of way pushed me from having no one in front of me to now being behind three large and slow moving trucks with the culprit in the lead.

For ten miles I grew hotter and hotter as the person drove slower and slower at the front of the line. I finally realized how much emotional energy I was wasting and decided to take action – the right action.

At the next road I pulled over, stopped the car, took a deep breath, and let them get a few minutes ahead of me. I used the moment to send a text I’d wanted to send. I drove in silence and let my mind wander while it was calm. It was like I’d completely flipped my attitude and all it took was to pause and breathe. So thankful for that moment!

Presence:

During the quiet time on my drive I was able to process so many thoughts and to just breathe in the quiet. I didn’t realize how badly I needed those moments of quiet to think.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,234

Growth:

I really appreciated this quote from the great John Wooden when I heard it for the first time earlier today:

Appreciation:

Way back in the day Dad gave me the following dating advice:

“When you take a woman out on your first date together be sure to unlock her car door and open it. By the time you walk around the car to your door she should have unlocked it already. If not, the first date should be the last date. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and trouble.”

Please note that this was from the dark ages when cars had to have a key inserted into the door lock in order to unlock the car door.

While the current technology doesn’t quite fit this advice anymore, the logic is incredibly sound. A relationship is a two way street in which both people help each other out and do their best to bring out the best in each other. A relationship in which one person continues to give and give while the other does not is doomed.

Fortunately for me, my first date with Becky almost 25 years ago passed Dad’s advice! My life has been all the better as a result!

Presence:

So many wonderful moments throughout the day today!

• Our Sunday morning walk with Leia
• An intense yet rewarding and memorable driving lesson with Gavin
• A quick conversation with Dominic hearing about his weekend adventures
• Quiet time in the kitchen making supper
• Laughing with the kids before bed
• Taking time to type this blog in quiet and stillness

Thanks!!!

Day 3,233

Growth:

The scent of the old books at Pearl Street Books is sublime, probably one of my top ten favorite smells in the world. It smells like knowledge, calm, serenity, and joy. Books are one of the items that grow better with age.

Appreciation:

Becky being back home after a week of travel for work…. Nice to have my hiking partner back!

Presence:

This weather, especially while we were hiking today! The sun on my face. Perfect temperature. Sounds of birds surround. Feeling the texture of the hickory bark on my palm. So many smells of flowers, trees, and soil. Spectacular!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,232

Growth:

Sometimes the most important work to be done is sharpening the saw rather than cutting. it never quite feels as important but it has an outsized impact on the entire project.

Appreciation:

I’m very grateful for finally picking this book up after so many years. My mind is still reeling from the story and its implications, will definitely reread this one! There were so many layers upon layers, all woven together perfectly. My mind has strayed back to it, I couldn’t stop reading it, and it’s helping me see a little more clearly. Incredible masterpiece!

Presence:

Another day, another pre-sunrise pic of Leia on our run. This was shortly after a pair of sandhill cranes flew directly over us. Perfect weather for running this morning for both of us!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,231

Growth:

In his book, Awareness, Anthony de Mello stresses the importance of being aware of our thoughts and feelings and NOT trying to fix them constantly. Rather than trying to FIX everything we sometimes just need to be aware of the action, reaction, or feeling. Today those words rang in my mind f and I heeded them, and it helped.

Appreciation:

I have a huge dream list. I have a ton of goals. There is so much I want to accomplish, so much do that I could almost fill my entire life doing nothing but making lists of what I would like to do. After almost half a century of life I’m finally realizing I will not be able to do all of it and I’m working on being okay with that. Constraint is one of my best frenemies, but we seem to be getting along better more and more often.

Presence:

Sneaking in a post supper walk with these two and the pup.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,230

Growth:

Our perspective on some aspects of life change greatly as we grow, age, and experience more and more of what life has to offer.  There have been a few books recently I know I would not have enjoyed as a kid, but as a middle aged dude I can totally appreciate now.  I need to remember to not let my past experiences of books read long ago cloud my judgement too much and give more of them a try now.  No one steps in the same river twice, no one reads the same book twice.  In the case of the river both have changed, the book remains but the person reading it is different than the one who read it before.

Appreciation:

 Going for a run and seeing this smile was a pretty epic start to the day!

Presence:

The beginning of Fahrenheit 451 really struck a chord with me this morning!  I just started reading it as I’d somehow dodged reading it as a student.  For some reason the beginning of the chapter hit me between the eyes and had me totally hooked!  I even went back and re-read a portion of it just to make sure I had read it all correctly, I was so intent on getting all of it that the second reading seemed like the right move.

Day 3,229

Growth:

Interesting how different senses can trigger memories! Today it was a song bringing back some favorite memories from over two decades ago. Earlier it was the cool breeze in the pre-sunrise air that transported me back.

The best way to help those triggers happen is by being present – present in the moment the memory was made and present in the moment it is remembered. Be here now, remember now forever.

Appreciation:

Gotta love the Olympics! The boys and I had an awesome time watching more track and field this evening for about an hour. Seeing the comebacks, the grit, the hardworking, the adversity faced, and the celebration of incredible effort was quite the entertainment. We don’t watch much TV, but catching these events the past couple of nights has led you to some great bonding.

Presence:

My drive to Eau Claire was especially peaceful this morning. It started under dark slate gray skies in La Crosse and ended in a perfectly clear blue sky in Eau Claire. The changing of cloud cover and light caused the greens to be more vibrant than normal. North of Arcadia I drove past a postcard view of a handful of cows grazing atop a small bluff almost surrounded by a small line of trees with white fluffy clouds breaking up the increasingly blue sky.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,228

Growth:

Stretch the brain! It’s a muscle (metaphorically speaking) that gets stronger from being worked. Sometimes this includes working on things we don’t necessarily enjoy, but it helps us grow stronger.

Appreciation:

Today was the last day of Gavin’s landscaping duties at our office, and I kind of want to find more for him to do. Getting all this bonus time with along with so many coaching opportunities has been fantastic. We’ve gotten into more conversations, bonded over books and work, and had so many laughs. While this round of work may be done I’m grateful for the bonus time we’ve had to bond!

Presence:

Watching the new pole vaulting world record get set with Gavin was awesome! Hearing his yell for joy was a moment I’ll cherish.

Thanks!!!