Day 2,930

Growth:

Active listening is fantastic and can lead to incredible breakthroughs, and intentional active listening exponentially increases those breakthroughs! Throughout a day spent with our NextGen Leadership the choice of intentional active listening led me to see connections I’d missed in the past. I saw so many things more clearly and was able to better grasp them in the context they were intended and through the lens I’d intentionally chosen. This led to seeing an awesome coaching opportunity, a better understanding of a teammate I thought I already knew inside and out, and a variety of other ideas leading to connections and ideas that will help lead to future successes. I need to remember that active listening is good, but intentional active listening is better.

Appreciation:

Today’s NextGen Leadership retreat included me sharing my “partner presentation” with this year’s class. The intent is to share where I came from, my path to ownership, and the lessons I’ve learned through this journey thus far. My business partners and I have come from a variety of backgrounds and have all taken slightly different paths to get to where we are, we want our NextGen Leaders to see how the destination is available to all of us if we choose to pursue it. In preparing and reviewing the presentation there was much thought and reflection. So many memories, emotions, ups and downs, lessons learned all rolling through my head over the past few days. In sharing the presentation today it seemed to draw out so much more emotion than I’d thought it would.

This evening I sit with slightly glassy eyes for a variety of emotions, all stirred up from the preparation and the presentation of my past, and watching a couple of music videos that were very moving for similar yet different reasons. All in all, I’m tired and worn out, I’m in an emotional state, and completely full of joy on a profoundly deep level. If this were my last day on Earth I’d be going on out on a high note with a heart full of love.

Presence:

Jim Valvano’s famous ESPY speech talks about what makes for a full day.

“To me, there are three things we all should do every day… … Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think, you should spend some time in thought. And number three is you should have your emotions moved to tears. Could be happiness or joy, but think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day.”

Jim Valvano – https://youtu.be/HuoVM9nm42E?si=F40Bj9tMyXRyUoZM

Rather than focusing on a specific point of presence it feels most appropriate to share that today has contained each of those three and in multiples with a variety of people. It’s been a heck of a day! Thank you to everyone who played a role in making today a memorable one – whether in person, in past experiences, or in the ways you helped lead me to today.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,929

Growth:

Sometimes the best ideas are sparked from conversation loosely pointed in a specific direction. Rather than forcing the dialogue or asking questions in a pointed direction set the ideas free in the sandbox of an unstructured discussion and see where it goes, the themes that keep arising, and the common frustrations that cause the directions to branch off. Amongst that space we create for our brains to play we can find some of our best solutions and strategies.

Appreciation:

There are a few different directions to go today, but I think there’s a common thread. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be in a career that allows me to utilize my strengths while living my passions and provides countless opportunities for growth while working with awesome people. Yup, that pretty much nails it all today. In one of my conversations today I was asked why I work so hard when so many others in similar roles do not – “because I love it” was the immediate response. So thankful for that feeling!

Presence:

OMG – I almost blew this one due to recency bias! One of the best moments of presence today came when the light rain started to fall during our unseasonably warm morning run. The light pitter patter of drops reminded me of the rain in Hilo, HI – peaceful, warm, and soothing. To experience that sensation in October in Wisconsin was quite the moment!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,928

Growth:

There is a wisdom to be found in determining when to teach someone, when to do for someone, when to help by questioning someone’s idea, and when to allow someone to do for themselves and learn through the experience. I seem to struggle on this one, today I’m grateful for the reminder to pause and consider the right option rather than reacting from personal preference.

Appreciation:

This has been a very full day from start to finish. So much positive stuff all around, feelings of productivity, moments of joy, shared laughs and stories, and time of reflection. I’m laying in bed feeling spent in a positive way and will be waking up tomorrow to see how closely I can replicate today.

Presence:

OMG!!! The last chunk of my Stephen King novel had me riveted and on the edge of my seat (Finders Keepers)! For real, I kind of want to go back and see what my heart rate jumped up to as it ended. What an awesome exercise in presence, I was completely enthralled.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,927

Growth:

Taking time to blog helps me process the day. It’s a moment to check in with my awareness level from the day and see the positives. Some nights, like tonight, I’m tired, ready for bed, and not feeling super thoughtful. If I still pause and recount the day – even on days like this – I always end up smiling and coming out ahead. Even if it is not my best practice I’m still sharpening the edge and putting in the reps to keep the flywheel turning, and that’s s plus. I used to beat myself up over days like this, now I use the as tests to practice even when I don’t want to, a test of endurance, an opportunity to find growth even when it feels difficult.

Appreciation:

Tonight was a nice chill evening with no plans! Some quiet-ish couch time gif the three of us seemed to be exactly what we needed. Ahh… and another night of early bed!

Presence:

So easy to get lost in a good book! My drive home this evening seemed to take almost no time as I was thoroughly engrossed in Finders Keepers by Stephen King. I’m currently in the fiction phase of my reading cycle and enjoying every moment of it!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,926

Growth:

Taking Gavin driving today was a wonderful reminder of just how easy it is to take what we’ve learned for granted. In explaining each step and talking about so many possible outcomes and obstacles I couldn’t help but realize just how much learning there is in the process of driving!

I often wish I could know everything about something all at once and then get frustrated when I don’t. Today reminded me to pause and appreciate the learning that happens little by little over an extended period of time.

Appreciation:

What I am really grateful for tonight hasn’t happened yet, but it will shortly after writing this blog! I am off to bed to get more than eight hours of sleep tonight – woo hoo!!! This has been an awesomely fun filled and productive weekend and I am feeling exhausted as a result. Bring on the sleep, loking forward to catching some extra zzz’s to start the week in style!

Presence:

We wrapped up our time with Dominic on the University of Minnesota campus this morning. In a wonderful little park we ate breakfast as a family and relaxed while we talked. This was similar to many meals on the deck on especially nice days throughout the years, but the recent scarcity of moments like this made it all the sweeter. Such an awesome moment, relaxing as a family.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,925

Growth:

Be cognizant of the trade offs that should be prioritized and be okay with them. With going to the game tonight there were a few trade offs that happened to get us to this game in the first place and then more to be made prior to the game that made a positive difference in our experience. Remember the goal, live into purpose, and prioritize what’s most important while shedding those things which don’t matter.

Appreciation:

Getting the four of us together was awesome. After not seeing Dominic in real life for over a month my heart felt complete when the four of us were together again as we have been for the past 15 plus years.

Presence:

Our first Minnesota United FC game tonight was a blast!!! Definitely an experience we’ll share again in the future!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,924

Growth:

When in doubt spend time in the woods to reflect and recharge the soul. The time alone hiking today was exactly what I needed to get my mind and soul back in alignment, to pause and rest while in motion. So glad I took the time to hit the trail on the way home!

Appreciation:

The smell of pines and fall was overwhelming in a very pleasant way as I pulled into Rocky Arbor State Park just outside of Wisconsin Dells. A few years ago Becky and I visited this park for the first time and fell in love with the rocky formations mixing with the forest and wetlands. Today I was flying solo and enjoyed some time on the trails all by my lonesome while listening to some chill music (to quell the noise of the interstate nearby with totally overruns the sounds of the of nature).

With almost no one else on the trails I felt like I was completely alone to explore and savor each sight. I walked a bit faster in some spots and completely stopped to absorb all around me at other times. It was amazing!!!

Rocky Arbor is a little tiny state park with a lot of traffic noise, but the beauty of the rocks is well worth a short visit if you ever find yourself in the Dells with an hour or so to spare.

Presence:

Playing with a puppy is a great way to create some joy and presence! Seriously, how could I not be fully present when playing with this pup???

Thanks!!!

Day 2,923

Growth:

Whoever would have thought I’d still be blogging daily about gratitude eight years later? Certainly not me! What started as a one year test of grit to help me work on my appreciation practice has turned into a lifestyle change bringing me more joy than I’d ever expected. How many crazy dreams have I dropped too soon or never started could have had this much of an impact? Trust your dreams, especially the ridiculous ones!

Appreciation:

What an awesome way to spend the day! My brother and I decided to catch the Brewer game today to celebrate our birthdays and to have some much needed brother time. While we haven’t gotten started yet here’s to the fun we’re going to have today!

Presence:

My drive to Milwaukee was pretty amazing, especially for a drive on a gloomy, cloudy, construction filled day. Listening to audiobooks is such an awesome way to keep focused on the drive. Huge kudos to Mr Stephen King for a novel that kept me at the edge of my drivers seat!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,922

Growth:

Rather than holding off on a thought intense project and letting it loom over my head for longer than it should just block out time and knock it out. The sense of accomplishment is awesome and the relief of not having it waiting to be done is serene.

Appreciation:

There’s likely a much more in depth blog post lurking in the near future, but I’m going to keep it short for now as the thoughts and emotions fully weave themselves together.

I recently read Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann. It is thought provoking, heartbreaking, and intensely enlightening. It is the true story of how the Osage Indians of Oklahoma were systematically killed between 1918 and the 1930’s for their wealth. The history lessons through this sharing of the story are mind boggling and shocking.

Highly recommended, this is a piece of US history I will hope to have my sons read for sure.

Presence:

Lunch was eaten at the side of the lake in Winona while taking in the sights of the vibrant fall colored leaves scattered across the bluffs. So peaceful, so chill, so relaxing.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,921

Growth:

I have a compulsion for fixing things, it is in my nature and sometimes it is a wonderful strength. There are other times when it can cause issues and unnecessary challenges. The wisdom is in realizing which time is which and acting accordingly.

I prefer to take action rather than sit back and let things happen. My default is motion rather than pause. Sometimes taking time to pause and let nature run its course is the right choice, but I struggle to do that.

When these two butt up against each other I struggle to figure out the right way to react – to push forward and fix or to pause and the let fix happen on its own without my intervention.

Today I am remembering to pause to weigh out which response is correct prior to acting. The pause frustrates me, but I know it is the right solution, not action. I must remember to pause and think, to be aware of the situation, and to then choose the right response rather than let my nature take its course.

Appreciation:

Throughout the day it is so easy to get stressed and worked up about so many things. So many possible stressors and challenges that can cause me to get agitated or draw away my focus. Each irritant compounds with the last until I’m focused on the entirely wrong things. On the contrary, the same thing can happen with good things too. It is so easy to allow the gravity of little positivities pull me off track and in the wrong direction.

Tonight was a wonderful example of how important it is to remember what is truly important, to focus on what is truly important, and to let those relatively meaningless things – positive and negative – roll of me like water on a duck’s back and to stay focused on what is truly important.

Presence:

While driving home from Eau Claire I had a moment of pause to appreciate the views of the bluffs as I drove through Arcadia. I had an awesomely intense moment of purposeful presence to soak in all around me. The dark green grass, the steel blue clouds, the white mist rising from the valleys of the bluffs with a sea of green leaves broken up by patches of oranges, reds, and yellows. The song Crossfire by Brandon Flowers vibrating the inside of the car as the windshield wipers slowly pushed away the raindrops. For a moment there was nothing else in the world, only existence in that moment, and it was amazing.

Thanks!!!