Day 2,808

Growth:

Sometimes experiences must be re-done as a wonderful reminder of what was actually learned in the first place. Today I had the opportunity to work with a new teammate on the basics of the sales process for Express and it was one of the more rewarding days I’ve had in my career recently. It was almost a nonstop afternoon of flow state as we went from business to business having conversations and then walking back through them in the car to pause to learn. By having to take someone through the process of learning what I’ve lived over the past twenty years reminded me of just how much I’ve picked up over the years.

Appreciation:

Early bed times are the best once in a while! Tonight is one of those nights and I am soooooo amped up for a great night of slumber. After the craziness and fullness of life over the past few weeks this will feel amazing!!!

Presence:

The sound of birds singing in the morning is so calming, especially on my early morning runs with Becky. This morning they were particularly talkative and there were a few new birdsongs added to the mix. Hearing nature singing away puts my head in the right space, such a gift early in the morning.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,807

Growth:

So many similarities between all major life events – graduations, weddings, and even funerals. Celebrations of individuals shared by many others, all offering a common bond of shared humanity. Time to connect, to share, to hug, to love, and to create new moments while celebrating old memories. No wonder we all flock to events like this, they help re-center us on appreciating the humanity within us all.

Appreciation:

I cannot even being to thank everyone who helped to make Dominic’s graduation party as successful as it was enough. There were so many who helped out, replenished food, ran out to buy more water, helped to set up, stuck around for help, and provided an incredible amount of support throughout the entire weekend. I am so thankful for each and every person who helped create a wonderful graduation party for Dominic – it wouldn’t have been the same without you! Earlier this evening I was moved to tears as I considered all the ways everyone helped out and pitched in, truly overwhelming and so greatly appreciated!

Presence:

So many interactions with so many throughout the party and the day – each was a gift in its own way. Hugs all around, so much love and support, to many moments which be kept in mind for years to come. Huge thank you’s to everyone who helped to make this such a magical and memorable day!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,806

Growth:

There is a considerable difference between being focused on having fun and being focused on winning. Dominic proved firsthand how a focus on fun (or enjoyment or play or self improvement – call it what you will) truly leads to a greater awareness and satisfaction than a focus on winning.

He saw his 800m race today as play, a reward for a year of hard work, and decided to treat it as such. In doing so he ran the fastest 800 of his life. What an awesome life lesson!

Appreciation:

Tonight I’m going to leave this spot a little bit short as I am still processing it completely. Dominic’s high school sports career is now officially complete as is his high school education. He now moves on to the next chapter of life. I’m so proud of him and grateful for so many memories…. And let’s leave it at that for this evening as I’m not 100% ready for this change. And that’s what I’m most grateful for today.

Presence:

Watching someone perform their best in the right moment with a smile is awesome. Enjoying Dominic’s 800m run today was 1:58.90 of pure presence and as memory that will keep me smiling the rest of my life.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,805

Growth:

The power of grit… passion and perseverance for a long term goal. Dominic and his teammates have put in countless hours and miles in the offseason in relentless pursuit of one common goal, podium finish at the State Track Meet. They out in a tremendous amount of work over the past year (or three depending on how you look at it). Today they achieved that goal and then some!

So proud of these young men and the work they’ve put in together!

Appreciation:

We knew there would be two races today for Dominic (& one for Gavin as an alternate). Depending on how it went we would have at least one and possibly two tomorrow. Dominic and his teammates earned a bonus race. I’m grateful for the opportunity they earned today, one more bonus race to leave every ounce of effort on the track, one more bonus race to savor the results of all their hard work and grit.

Presence:

This moment, right here 😁👍

Thanks!!!

Day 2,804

Growth:

Small things can cause quite the large amount of chaos. Today I was reminded of that firsthand by the squirrel who decided to knock out one third of the power coming into our building.

What are the “squirrels” I set loose for my teammates? What are the things which seem small and insignificant that cause exponentially greater troubles than intended?

Appreciation:

Gotta love the wisdom that comes from Ted Lasso. This one hit me deep and is one I want to remember.

“I hope either all of us or none of us are judged by the actions of our weakest moments, but rather the strength we show when and if we’re given a second chance”

Ted Lasso

Amen to that for so many reasons.

Presence:

Dinner as a family out on the deck was fantastic today. No stress, no agenda, no timeline, only conversation together. These opportunities are slowly coming up an end as we’ve known them, I’m grateful for pausing the world outside of family to enjoy our time together.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,803

Growth:

So much research showing the wildly positive impacts of spending more time outdoors! Why don’t I heed that wisdom more often and create more outside time? I may be outside often but I should be there even more.

Appreciation:

Tonight I had an awesome learning experience in the power of excellent customer service. Our financial advisor organized an epic evening out for a handful of clients and deepened many relationships. While I was largely focused on enjoying the event I was also paying attention to how they pulled it off so well in order to replicate it in the future.

Presence:

Training in someone who’s 100% bought in and dedicated is awesome and supremely motivating! One of our new teammates finished up online training and will be in office next week. To wrap up his online training he gave a 20 minute presentation on what we the key takeaways and he CRUSHED it!!! So much fun and so easy to be in the moment when someone else is so bought in like that!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,802

Growth:

Not every book is going to blow my mind. Even the ones I’m super pumped up about and excited to read will sometimes turn out to be duds, and that’s okay.

The one I finished today was exactly that, a total bust. The biggest compliment I would give it is that the book is short 😂

What’s I’m thankful for and re-learned today is that even in a book like this one there are still ideas generated by it and lessons to take away. I don’t know that reading is ever a total waste, sometimes it’s just a little more difficult to extract good ideas from a disappointing book.

Appreciation:

At work today I had a conversation with a teammate about how quickly kids grow up. Sooooo glad that I did! At one point before yoga tonight I caught myself wishing that it was next week again so I could get to a normal schedule and routine. In an instant I thought back to that conversation earlier and kicked my butt and brain back into the right mindset, to enjoy each and every moment of the ride, no matter how chaotic it may be! Super glad for that reminder and for it kicking into my melon exactly when I needed to hear it again!

Presence:

With all the different directions we are all going this week and have been going next week it has been a bit of a rarity to see all four of us at home at the same time. Tonight we had about 20 minutes or so and it was wonderful getting caught up with where and what the boys have been up! The extra namaste from yoga helped me stay 100% focused on being hear and talking with them while we were all together.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,801

Growth:

Even four day weekends can be tiring 😉 Very awesome weekend overall, but I am looking forward to going to bed shortly. Bring on the sleep and an early morning hike tomorrow!

Appreciation:

So much fun going through all of Dominic’s old pics, even though it was for the third day in a row! This has been quite the project, but the photos are now printed and all that’s left is mounting them to the display boards. Dominic tagged in with some of his ideas for pics as well which added to the enjoyment. While digging up a couple of specific pics I came across a bunch of old pics that had not been sorted with the rest and it added a handful of additional laughs as I went back through more old memories. This project has been time consuming but has brought more smiles than I can count!

Presence:

Watering the marching band today was a ton of fun! As the boys get older we seem to get to know more and more of their classmates which adds to the satisfaction of helping the band out. Listening to them interact was a blast and more than mildly entertaining. This was also Dominic’s last hurrah as a drum major which was wild, crazy to think that just about a year ago he surprised us with the news that he was selected for the role.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,800

Growth:

While getting home and staying home sounded enticing we decided to do our weekly grocery shopping instead. Tomorrow’s me is going to be very happy we did. Remember to eat my veggies first, dessert will be sweeter.

Appreciation:

Today included one on one time with each of the boys. One was more serious and a very in-depth conversation. The other was totally chill and lighthearted. Each was exactly what we all needed and it was awesome!

Presence:

It’s 100% okay to take naps as an adult. I did this afternoon and it was amazing!!!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,799

Growth:

We are what they grow beyond. That is the burden of all masters.

Yoda

Yet again, Dominic showed his uncanny wisdom today. I was about to force an issue when Dominic shared profound insight that helped me respond correctly. Humbling to learn from my own son, and at the same time so happy to learn from my own son.

Appreciation:

In preparation for Dominic’s graduation party I’ve started pulling old photos for a picture board. I’m already a few hours in and I still have many thousands of photos to go.

What I’m grateful for is taking so many pictures. Each one brings back so many memories! Each is a gift, a moment of positive reflection, a story, a memory, and the start of a conversation. While the memories are still there without the photos they are more easily teased out with a picture. So many wonderful moments of a life shared!

Presence:

Many moments off savoring wildlife today! Countless deer and turkey, a coyote, and a skunk were all on display. What took the cake was standing still near the hummingbird feeders and taking in the sights and sounds of those hungry little dudes! So centering to be only a foot or so away as they dart around.

Thanks!!!