Thankful for 1% Improvement, the Beauty of Used, & a Family Friday

Day 3,763

Growth:

Find subtle ways to improve by one percent over a week can really make a profound difference over time. The change itself seems minor, but compounds more quickly than expected.

Appreciation:

Rather than having new, having used adds so much more character and memory. Playing Scrabble on my grandparents’ old board brings a deep sense of nostalgia, so many memories rekindled. The opportunity to connect generations while creating memories for future generations. Priceless!

Presence:

Playing games on the couch after dinner, talking about books we’ve all read, watching a movie on the couch as we talk about the book it is based on. What a perfectly fitting Friday night at home.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Reading the Classics, a Quote on Appropriate Focus, & My Copy of Meditations

Thankful for Reading the Classics, a Quote on Appropriate Focus, & My Copy of Meditations

Day 3,762

Growth:

The books that are classics are likely classics for a reason. Trust the judgement of generations, dive into the books which are still as alive as ever fifty, one hundred, or two thousand years later. There is wisdom to be found there for sure!

Appreciation:

Such a wonderful quote from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (the Gregory Hays edition). Exactly what I needed today!


Don’t waste the rest of your time here worrying about other people-unless it affects the common good. It will keep you from doing anything useful. You’ll be too preoccupied with what so-and-so is doing, and why, and what they’re saying, and what they’re thinking, and what they’re up to, and all the other things that throw you off and keep you from focusing on your own mind.

Marcus Aurelius

Presence:

How wild that I still remember the exact moment I bought my first copy of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius? The boys and I were in the San Francisco airport awaiting our next flight to New Zealand to meet up with Becky on 11/19/2017.

This copy reminds me of our flights, some serious father son time as we jumped the Pacific Ocean to head to what seemed a mythical land. in my head I remember our conversations, our arrival at the Auckland Airport. I remember so may of our adventures from that trip.

This copy has traveled to several different countries and a handful of continents, has been in tents with me often, and is usually accompanying me when I head out of town for work trips. It has been a comfy sweatshirt for my soul, an everlasting light to lead me back to calm.

So grateful for this book and all of the moments it has both created and been present for!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Putting It Out There, Leveraging Simple Actions, & Quick Appreciations

Day 3,761

Growth:

When we put something out into the universe it often comes back to us in spades. After all these years I’m still not sure how much is the so called law of attraction and how much is the simple fact tat our brains are now wired to look for something specific, but does that really make a difference? The end result is that when we focus on something we often find it.

When in doubt, put the dream / wish / goal / idea out there, you’ll often find what you are looking for (or the thing you weren’t looking for but actually needed).

Appreciation:

Each day that goes by I’m more impressed by how so many simple actions, relatively minor really, occur as a result of taking small steps in life to re-focus my being. In the morning I start my day with a quick reading of my 2026 plan, jot a couple of notes in my daily tracker to set my intentions for the day, and then get out of bed. In those two to three minutes my brain re-aligns with where I want it to go and continues to provide a huge return on those few minutes each morning. Such a simple little habit, such an outsized and highly leveraged result!

Presence:

The simple moment in which we pause our self focused life to put a spotlight on someone else, giving them a quick shout out, a hug, or even just a little acknowledgment – a moment of clear and purpose filled presence. So simple!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Progress Towards the Purpose

Day 3,760

Throughout the day my mind keeps going back to tracking the growth and progress I’ve made in the past year(s). Across 2025 I paused to complete a daily scorecard measuring a variety of components of my life. In doing so I adjusted my actions more often in real time to align with my goals, purpose, and values. This action also provided me opportunities to learn from my experiences more clearly, to reflect more deeply on my day and my actions.

Taking time to review that dataset has really helped me see the progression of my thoughts and actions from the year. From that distanced perspective it becomes so clear to see the way difficult tasks and changes became easier and easier throughout the year, building on the momentum of the previous day. Without realizing it, I’ve been building my flywheel focused on my purpose and values.

Seeing these subtle changes and developments from the framing of a year really caused me to pause and smile. There’s still a very large gap between who I am and who I am called to be, but I feel 2025 has helped me map a better course across that gap, a way to see how to build the bridge needed.

Cheers to progress, to making headway towards the purpose.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Making the Space for Big Events

Day 3,759

While my 2026 goals don’t explicitly say it, one of them is a very clear reminder to appreciate the opportunity to be fully present with family when the moment is available. Today I was able to do just that, adapting my calendar to be there with Dominic for a big day for him, buying his first car.

We spent time on the ride talking about the purchase on the way there. We took time to test out a couple of different cars, comparing approximately four of them to find the best option. We talked about what was most important to him and which one fit those criteria best. We got into the details of paying off his loan and insurance. He had the opportunity to work with other adults on matters of importance, taking the lead on a big purchase. I got to observe the smile on his face as the deal was completed. So many moments of shared presence, so many moments of growth, so grateful for taking the time to be where I should have been – sharing that moment with him.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Having a Plan, Back to Clean Living, & More Family Time

Day 3,758

Growth:

Life is so much easier when there are clear goals and there are plans in place to adjust to be flexible as needed. Rather than having to go back and forth on making decisions the right answer seems to leap right off the script!

Appreciation:

Back to clean eating and living this week! I always enjoy all the tasty Christmas foods and treats, probably a little too much. So weird to think that I can overdo it to the point in which I am looking forward to the “detox” afterwards! My breakfast and lunch tomorrow will be absolutely plain and boring, and. can’t wait.

Presence:

Great time with family this weekend for sure! Between the larger family time as I blogged about yesterday there have also been many moments of connecting in smaller groups and in one on one conversations this weekend as well. Throw in things like discussing favorite books, doing a quick furniture fix, a car ride home, a couple of games after a family supper, and even a simple grocery store trip all yielded some wonderful moments of presence!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Family Christmas

Day 3,757

Growth:

Gotta love taking time to take a walk outside, and family Christmas is no different. Today I had the opportunity to go on a couple of walks – a great way to get a little outside time while spending time with family and getting at least a little physical activity!

Appreciation:

I’ve been very thankful for the time spent with family this weekend – time together has been a blast! It’s nice to get the opportunity to spend time together as a larger group and then splitting and reforming in smaller groups throughout. While it can be difficult figuring out how to get all our schedules to line up it is well worth the time spent together.

Presence:

Spending time laughing with family, chilling, enjoying time together, and talking about old memories – well spent time together!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Reflecting on Flow State

Day 3,756

Well that was a week for sure! So much good stuff, fun challenges, achieving milestones, growing – both individually and as a team, laying the foundation, asking great questions, and so many moments living towards purpose.

What I think I’m most grateful for today is just how often I found myself in a flow state this week. Quite often I noticed time passing bay without noticing while making progress on unique and difficult challenges. Somehow it seems I have been working into that sweet spot of the intersection of challenge and purpose.

I’m not quite sure how this happened so much this week, but today I remembered to pause, soak it in, and enjoy it.

Here’s to a day of reflecting upon the flow of a week and using it to prepare for next week!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Family Presentations, Family Slideshows, & Family Dinner

Day 3,755

Growth:

Quite some time ago I realized how important it is for people to learn basic presentation skills. Nothing crazy, but how do you package your thoughts into a cohesive story to share with others. There have been several times we’ve had the boys do this – for fun, to choose a travel plan, and also for discipline. Whatever the reason, I’m always walking away from those presentations smiling. Each time the boys have dug deeper into something, practiced a valuable life skill, spark meaningful conversations, and are always smiling when they are done.

Appreciation:

Over the years something we’ve started doing as a family is taking time to walk through photos from any trips any of us have done. Once the traveller(s) return we figure out when we can have a good old fashioned slide show as a family. Tonight was Dominic’s opportunity to share his pics from Alaska – and it was a blast!

I’m so grateful for traditions like this, the ones that serve multiple purposes at once – a sharing of experiences, time as a family, opportunities to dream bigger together, and the chance to share what we love. Put all of those together and these family slideshows are some of my favorite moments together!

Presence:

In keeping with an unexpected but wonderfully simple theme, I’m grateful for the time we had as a family over dinner. All five of us were here, everyone was engaged in conversation, and all gathered around the dining room table and then the couches together. Time as a family. Perfect!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Planning

Day 3,754

In taking time to set and clarify my goals this year I’ve already add more joy and a stronger sense of purpose than I would have imagined. Several moments of my day were completely reflective of my 2026 plan, shaping my choices and directions very clearly. More importantly, the results of those actions led to more joy and effectiveness.

Here’s to taking the time to set a very clearly plan!

Thanks!!!