Day 2,378

Growth:

Will we ever really know the true depth of the impact we’ve made in life? We went to a celebration of life for the brother of a friend today. Throughout I couldn’t help but wonder if he realized how much joy he’d brought to so many.

Now as I type I can’t shake the thought that my initial question is misguided. Does it really matter if we know the impact we’ve made or is that just an egocentric thought? Better to live in a way that we brighten lives because it is the right thing to do and not ask for validation.

Ugh.., ego. Yet again you flare up. So thankful to take time to reflect and think, it’s the flashlight needed to scare ego out of the shadows.

Appreciation:

Even in loss there is beauty. Gathering of friends, sharing of stories, opening of emotions, expressions of love, opportunities for growth. The loss itself can hurt so tremendously, but we can choose to look for bright spots around it. Many big my thoughts today have been focused in very different directions, largely centered on life and death, the value of time, accepting what we can really control, faith, and the ways we come together as community to help each other. More growth and insight as a result of loss,

Presence:

With all the different directions we’ve all been going it was incredibly soul warming to eat supper together as a family. Eating together, talking, and spending time together was one of my favorite moments of the day.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,377

LOL – too exhausted from the drive home to blog too much AND there’s one thing I’m most grateful for today.

Due to the crazy snowfall and blizzard conditions our normally two hour ride turned into an over four hour harrowing journey. That was the closest I’ve ever been to pulling over to wait out the snow.

What’s most important is that we made it home safe.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,376

Growth:

Today I am grateful for my task list. It was rather robust but it kept my day motoring along at a breakneck pace. The process of creating it calms my brain, the use of it motivates my actions more quickly, and checking it off is bliss. Focused action pointed in the right direction.

Appreciation:

Both of our sons have taken upper level, honors, and Advanced Placement classes. They voluntarily take them to stretch themselves. While that is something I appreciate I’m even more grateful for their work ethic. We usually don’t have to push them to get homework done, they dive right in after supper and get to work. Neither of them have been fans of it but they understand how important it is to get done. Seeing how they are learning to be self motivated is something I appreciate tremendously!

Presence:

My book diet this year has consisted of a lot of relatively deep stuff. Philosophy, religion, science, social issues, and some deep biographical books have all been on the menu. I realized it was time for one of my all time favorites to help me take a deep breath.

On my ride home tonight l found myself lost in the presence of a profoundly awesome story, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. In only seconds I was whisked into the story, what an amazing feeling!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,375

Growth:

When possible it’s always beneficial to get additional voices to provide feedback on new ideas, especially with people who have proven to be brutally and constructively honest in the past. If left to work alone on something for too long it can become easy to slowly drift off course. Others can help draw us back in and help us refocus on the objectives while providing additional feedback and ideas to improve the entire project.

Today I’m very grateful for those brutally honest and constructive voices, they made a huge positive impact!

Appreciation:

Sometimes the planets just happen to align in a way that allows me to be done for the day and in bed blogging before 8pm. Today is one of those glorious days! Much of the upcoming week is going to be wild, nice to get a full eight hours of sleep before the alarm goes off at 4:30am gif my bike ride.

Presence:

When Becky and I run in the morning it is usually our time to talk and catch up. Yoga date nights are great but they don’t involve much talking. Our runs feature regular conversation.

This morning started off a little differently. It was a little more chilly than it has been, but the biggest reason for a couple of miles of initial silence from both of us was the 20mph wind pounding us head on. The steady gusts offered up some resistance training while also making it very difficult to speak.

In the silence I opted to embrace the suck. While the wind was relentlessly blowing I kept quiet and focused my brain on how much each step with resistance like this was helping me grow. It was a bonus resistance training and mental resilience training. The wind caused silence provided the space I needed to really dive into the discomfort head on as I worked to find ways to appreciate it.

When we turned at the halfway point it was back to fun conversation as normal. In the moments of silence leading up to it I had an opportunity to be fully present with that little voice in my head that tells me to quit when the going gets tough. What an opportunity to prove that voice wrong yet again!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,374

Growth:

Sometimes it is smart to go to the doc to get things checked out. I don’t like to go often but there are definitely times when it makes sense. After doing some home improvement work a little over a week ago my left eye started bugging me. I thought I had gotten some debris in it and it would wash out. Turns out it was a little medical issue that could have been problematic had I waited too much longer. Glad I finally decided to go in today!

Appreciation:

So thankful for relationships build on trust and watching out for mutual best interest! When there isn’t trust there’s concern over what is “fair.” When there is trust the only concern is making sure everything is gone right with the best of intentions for all parties involved. How much better is life when we’re all focused on mutual benefit rather than individual gain? I’m blessed to have relationships like these in my life.

Presence:

Yoga date night was awesome as always. Part way through one of our stretches my leg and foot were extended about a foot over Becky as our mats were near each other’s. Out of nowhere I feel Becky tickling my foot and giggling while our yoga instructor said something along the lines of, “hey, be careful over there, I know it’s yoga date night and I’m watching you!” What a moment!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,373

Growth:

One of the most difficult feelings as a father is knowing that your sons are hurting you are powerless to help them. Due to his rapidly declining health we made the decision to put our almost 21 year old cat, Zeke, to sleep this morning. I feel completely powerless and wish there was more I could do to help my sons cope with their feelings of loss, but all I can do is live then, hug them, and support their showing of emotions.

Appreciation:

I’m grateful we’ve raised our dibs to know it is okay to show and share their emotions. Emotions are not something to be ashamed of or to be bottled down. They are meant to be shared and exposed, to help others know we are hurting and could use help and love during a difficult time. The past day has shown very clearly that they both “get it” and are open to sharing emotions. I’m so grateful for that and so proud of both of them!

Presence:

Reminders of the impermanence of life are usually quite difficult. They’re often relatively unexpected and coupled with a profound sense of loss. As bad as they can feel they’re also a source of intense presence. In those moments we have an almost singleminded focus on the present.

Those most difficult of moments may hurt horribly, but they can also the source of great beauty should we choose to see then that way.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,372

Growth:

Always read the instructions completely. If unsure about something it’s probably not s bad idea to ask. Lesson learned today, glad it wasn’t anything too crazy or serious. Good learning opportunity.

Appreciation:

I certainly did not plan the most recent home improvement project but I am thankful for the satisfaction that comes from making positive progress on a DIY project like this. Spending time working with my hands, doing manual labor, and figuring out what comes next was a very fulfilling experience today.

Presence:

Throughout the day there’ve been pockets of presence with each of my family members. With Dominic it was the car rides to and from church. Gavin’s were walking LuLu in the woods and while playing a few games. Becky and I had smaller moments while we ate most of lunch together and in the kitchen as I finished cooking and she walked me off the ledge while I was learning. I’m sure I’ll always wish we all have more time together, but I’m very grateful fit the presence in the unkempt we have had together.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,371

Growth:

Better to accept and move on rather than deny reality and suffer needlessly. Nope, this isn’t about something emotional, it is about making the decision to tear out the flooring than try to fix it. I know, seems a little dramatic, but it’s a perfect analogy to do much in life.

I can either sit back, deny reality, and still have to ultimately make the same decision or I can accept it and move on. So much easier to accept, put the past behind, and move on.

Appreciation:

So thankful for the opportunity to watch the hard work the boys put in all year start to pay off for them in track. So many times they had multiple daily workouts, voluntarily put in extra work, and pushed themselves hard in practice. The results really showed today with them partnering up for a 2nd place finish in the 4×800 today and in Dominic’s 2nd place finish in the 800.

The racing season has just begun and they’re already seeing how much their hard work is paying off. So excited and grateful!

Presence:

Watching the boys in their track events in each of the last two days – so much presence!

Thanks!!!

Day 2, 370

Growth:

There are times to do, times to grow, time to think, and times to relax. The magic lays in knowing which time is which and then being able to act accordingly. Today I seemed to find a nice balance, mix of all of the above. I have a tendency to really hit one harder than the other, I need to remember to take my time, zoom out to see where balance is needed, and then zoom back in.

Appreciation:

On my drive to Menomonie for work I decided to take a quick scenic stop at an area I didn’t know existed until a few days ago – Devil’s Punchbowl. Hidden away just off the Red Cedar River is a gem of a view!

The area is a depression which is partially frozen over this time of the year. As I gazed upon it icicles tumbled off in musical falls. There was a steady putter patter of the melting ice and snow dripping from ledge to ledge. It was incredible! The icicles hung around the area like lace and added to the already scenic sight.

So thankful someone fought this place up on Tuesday night, I never would have known it was here otherwise.

Presence:

While Becky and I were about three quarters of a mile from our house we both just happened to be looking up at the same time and caught a super slow motion shooting star blazing from North to South in the sky! Talk about a beautiful moment of presence, and to have the opportunity to share it with Becky made it all the more special.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,369

Growth:

Just because I’ve taught something or shared a story in the past doesn’t mean everyone has heard it. Spending 23 years with Express has led to many great memories and learning opportunities. It can be difficult trying to remember if I’ve shared things with teammates or not.

Today was a great reminder of the importance of covering the most important concepts regularly, even with teammates who may have heard them before. Throughout the years we have more context to apply to those learning experiences. Better to over share and get others more involved than to assume everyone already knows.

Appreciation:

Funny how we can start yo see certain things all around us when we choose yo look for them. Nothing has truly changed in the world, only our vision of it. As soon as we change our mindset we start to see that it has been all around us the entire time, we only had to choose it.

There have been a few instances of this for me as of late and I can’t help but chuckle each time. How much more awesomeness is there surrounding me that I just need yo choose to see? I’m so thankful for The Universe conspiring to help me!

Presence:

Quiet time in the woods. A trail with no human footprints in the snow. Finding a squirrel’s nut cache raided by someone who left only dirt and shells. Silently standing for five minutes watching two woodpeckers fight over a branch and the observing the victor quickly realize that it wasn’t that good of a spot. Laughing out loud while sliding downhill on a icy trail. Stopping to breathe in the smells of the winter-ish woods. Time alone in nature. Serene. Calming. Humbling. Exciting. Joyful. Satisfying. Enlightening.

Thanks!!!