Day 2,368

Growth:

How many times have I written about taking time to pause and breathe lately? More reminders today of why I need to keep working on this practice AND opportunities to see how I’ve been making progress. Maybe with continued practice I will continue to get better.

What’s interesting is that the practice of working on this has actually been one of the ways I’ve made the most progress! Seriously, by seeing each opportunity as a chance to learn and grow completely fakes out my brain and I see all the challenges as growth and as training reps.

My, what power our perception has on our lives.

Appreciation:

Quiet pockets of time can be so useful when I remember to use them as such. If I refrain from leaning into distractions like games, web surfing, and whatnot I have so many moments which I can bust to create, to live into my purpose, and to dream bigger.

When I think about this it seems to easy to always make the right choice, but alas, I know I don’t always make the right choice when I am tired. How to remedy this?

Rest, get sleep, and recognize the need to breathe. I cannot make right decisions when I am tired. Fuel my body correctly. I cannot operate at maximum effectiveness if my eating choices are poor. Keep my purpose in font of me. I cannot stay or used on what is important if I don’t take time to remind myself of what is important. Remember that life is fleeting. I cannot afford to waste the precious moments I have remaining.

Today I am thankful for making positive use of the pockets of time AND the reminders of how I can take advantage of them more often.

Presence:

Going for a walk over lunch in the cool air was so delightful! The breeze had just the right chill to keep me from getting too warm while being just cold enough that the air felt wonderfully fresh and crisp. What a perfect temperature this would have been for backpacking.

The sensation of movement and fresh air are so refreshing. My afternoon was very much improved by the moments of stillness outdoors. Yet again being outside leads to joy!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,367

Growth:

So much of life is balance. We have so much to balance all the time, it is a core of who we are.

Push ourselves well past our comfort zone but with the limit of guaranteed failure. Work hard in order to make our dreams possible, but not so hard that we are unable to live our dreams. Balance, balance, balance, all around us.

In all things I must remember to find balance. Breathe, think, feel, and find balance. Maybe that’s why I enjoy yoga so much, it’s all about balance.

So much more to unpack on this, I’ll save the rest for another day.

Appreciation:

I’m so thankful for The Big Dude Upstairs’ understanding of how slow if a learner I am sometimes. (feel free to swap “The Bug Dude Upstairs “ with God, the Universe, or whatever your preference may be). I swear there are so many times They remember to give me lesson after lesson after lesson to help me learn what I need. So much patience! I would have likely given up on me long before They did! From different stories to examples to words to people to experiences They seem to keep showing me the way until I actually get it.

The most recent? Lessons on judgement. So thankful for the patience and persistence of The Big Dude Upstairs.

Presence:

Speaking about travel at the library tonight with Becky was amazing on so many levels. Sharing our adventures brought back so many memories and the audience brought up so new places to add to our lists. The conversations afterwards were insightful and inspiring. Sharing all of those moments with Becky made it all the more priceless.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,366

Growth:

The joy of living into one’s purpose is incredible. Forget money, fame, and fortune – focus on brightening the world one person at a time. What greater joy is there than that?

Appreciation:

The older I get the more satisfaction I feel when reading or hearing something that really stretches my brain and makes me feel uncomfortable through challenging my beliefs. I’m currently reading The Shack and it is forcing my brain to think through different beliefs. As I work through some I can feel my beliefs shift a little. Others I work through help me feel more comfortable with my preexisting beliefs. Regardless, the struggle itself, the testing of beliefs, is such a rewarding experience.

Presence:

The weather today was so wonderful, a perfect start to Spring! Rather than stay in the office all day I went out for a nice walk over lunch. The cool breeze balanced with the warm sunshine felt incredible! Rather than an audiobook I had some chill music playing and enjoyed the relaxing think time. Ahh…. Bring on the nice weather!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,365

Growth:

Sometimes we have to remove something we’ve taken for granted to fully appreciate it. Today I am more thankful for running water than I have been in a very long time.

When we got home from church we realized we had an urgent issue. There was no water coming out of our faucets. After some quick investigative work and a visit from my buddy Todd we realized it was our well pump. Approximately seven hours and three Menards runs later we’ve got water again.

Funny how quickly I was grateful for water after it was eliminated for a while!

Appreciation:

As a kid I had the opportunity to learn so much about home improvement from Dad. Later in life I started to realize how fortunate I am to have had those experiences. Today was another perfect example. The well pump burns out ABC I need to do a combo of plumbing and electrical work. No worries! Go back to the lessons I’ve learned, hop online for a tutorial video, and next thing know I’ve installed a well pump. So thankful for that hands on experience!

Presence:

During one of my three trips to Menards today I heard Mambo No. 5 by Lou Bega. In an instant I was teleported back to October of 1999 when I was dancing with a ridiculously cute blonde girl I’d just met about 24 hours earlier. She was awesome in so many ways and by the end of that night I’d tell my parents I’d met the woman I would marry. Almost a quarter century later I still think of that night, the night I asked Becky out on a date, each and every single time I hear Mambo No. 5.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,364

Growth:

Squeezed every ounce out of today, going to bed with a short blog and am 100% okay with that. Last night’s blog went deep, today’s life went deep.

Appreciation:

So thankful for strong relationships built over many years. Here’s to putting in the difficult work needed to give them strength.

Presence:

Another blog, another post about being outside. So many eagles by the river, so many birds migrating through. Total chill and presence in the splendor of nature.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,363

Growth:

It is so easy to say yes, but so important to sometimes know when to say no. Today I said no and was greatly rewarded. So much additional calm, so much additional joy. What a fine balance to find. Today was right, other times I was wrong. Remembering to pause, to think, to have awareness – there is the magic.

Appreciation:

Tonight I’m grateful for the exercise of pausing to blog. Taking time each night to pause and review the day, my thoughts, my actions, and my choices helps me see myself more clearly.

The distance of the gap between who I am and who I am called to be is brought sharply into focus. This can be disheartening if I so choose, or it can be inspiring as I’ve made forward progress, regardless of how small. If I can see the gap I can start to close the distance. How wonderful!

This time of peace provides an opportunity for awareness – in the moment it happened AND in the moment I’m processing the moment. It is a time to review myself, to grade myself, and to find opportunities for both growth and celebration.

These moments also involve practice of giving myself grace. Realizing I’ve made mistakes, knowing I can choose to grow, and knowing that it is okay to not be perfect. I’ll never be perfect yet I should be eternally pursuing perfection with vigor and zeal in spite of knowing I’m chasing a destination which will never be reached in life.

So much time for thought, for growth. A moment if magic each night. An opportunity to grow towards becoming whole. I’m so appreciative for this practice.

Presence:

One of the key points in Awareness by de Mello is taking time to observe yourself, your thoughts, and your actions as a third party. No judgment, no change, no fixing, only listening and watching. So much can be learned about ourselves in those moments. Several of those moments today. Moments of presence, but a different depth of presence. What a gift!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,362

Growth:

Once again I’m reminded of the importance of building slack into a schedule. As my week has been a bit more interesting than expected I find myself with a monstrously large task list. Fortunately I’ve stuck with my plan of building slack into my week for occasions like this.

The plan is always to have extra time to get ahead on another project but more often than not it’s used as the stop gap to get everything done. Sooooooooo glad I added it in this week!!!

Appreciation:

Many years ago Dad and I had a conversation about the struggle to find the right between being a dad and being a friend. So easy to slip too far one way or the other, so easy to forget the fulcrum shifts from being almost entirely on the dad side to slowly closing in on the halfway point during adulthood. When Dad shared his thoughts he helped me see s couple examples of bring out of balance in either direction and it stuck.

I still need to better find the balance, but I’m better than I would have been without his coaching to help me start.

Presence:

Time in the woods, what a gift, even if just for a short time. LuLu and I were able to sneak her walk in after work and in between rainfalls. The time in the woods is more therapeutic than almost anything. The perfect place to recharge!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,361

Growth:

Sometimes we need to shift direction and go with whatever direction life takes us. There’s an interesting dichotomy to recognize – we can’t afford to waste our life drifting along wherever it takes us but we also need to let go and roll with whatever life throws us. Maybe wisdom lies in discerning the difference?

Today I realized early it was time to pull up the anchor and roll with each wave without regard to where it was going. Honestly, it has been a largely positive and rewarding day in spite of a couple of unexpected twists and a large challenge. Had I fought to force the day to go where I wanted I’d feel crushed and defeated. Instead I feel confident, optimistic, and satisfied.

Tomorrow looks to be a day in which focus will help me re-gain any losses and move further ahead… but we will see what it actually brings and make the most of it.

Appreciation:

So blessed to have so many of the right, positive, and supportive people around me all day and in seemingly just the right spots. From family to teammates to auto service people to teachers to friends to an entire team of awesomely positive Jimmy John’s workers I almost couldn’t avoid someone lifting me up when I faltered. I am beyond grateful for all of the perfectly timed smiles, the caring words, and the positivity.

So many people helped make today a great day. It was off kilter and off the rails since I woke up. I was basically busy from 5am until 8pm and by all tights I should be a mess. Instead – thanks to all those who brightened my day – I wrapped up my night in a wonderful conversation with my oldest son and was 100% present with him. What a gift!!!

To each and every single person who brightened my life and gave me strength and joy today – thank you, thank you, thank you.

Presence:

So many moments I’m grateful for today, but I’m most appreciative for this moment right now. In this moment taking time to realize how blessed I have been today, what a wonderful moment. So thankful for taking time to intentionally choose appreciation. My heart is full.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,360

Growth:

Happiness is already ours, it is our natural state. It is our lack of appreciation that gets in the way. If we pause, appreciate the present moment, and are thankful for the breath we are taking there is joy. We need only remember appreciation.

Appreciation:

Even though my car’s thermometer read -8 (f) I couldn’t help but utilize one of my favorite hacks. I love being outdoors. There’s little better in life than fresh air. Rather than be “inside” my car I turned up the heat and opened my moon roof. It was glorious!!!

A frosty sunrise AND some fresh air? AMAZING start to the day!!!

Nothing like getting fresh air and feeling like I was outside while actually being. This morning reminded me of why I hope to only own vehicles with moonroofs moving forward.

Presence:

That frosty sunrise I mentioned in the last section? So picturesque! The drive to Eau Claire this morning was amplified by both the timing of the sunrise and the sudden drop in temperature. The air was so clear and still. There was a layer of frost on all the trees and plants from the mist rising from the unfrozen stream. Throw in some wildly vibrant first rays of sunshine and it was EPIC!!!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,359

Growth:

Remember to pause and breathe rather than react. This morning I had a wonderful non-work related opportunity to remember this rather than taking action in the heat of emotion. While I could certainly justify the reason for my frustration and potential action it is better put on hold for a day or two, put into a more structured format, and then act swiftly with logic rather than emotion.

I can’t remember where I saw the quote recently, but it’s really grown on me. It was something along the lines of we can always say something but we can’t unsay something. Better to think it through first.

Appreciation:

Very proud papa moment today! Both of the boys were elected their peers to their track team’s advisory council for their respective classes. Pretty cool to see them both continuing to grow as leaders, what an awesome extra set of responsibilities they will be soaking up over the next few months.

Presence:

Ahh… another Monday blog post, another yoga mention! Tonight’s class was fantastic for a slightly different reason. For some reason it took me a long time to get settled in and in the flow for the practice. Starting in child’s pose was brutal, my feet kept cramping, I couldn’t sit still, and my brain was going way to fast. It was rough! After a while and a great deal of focusing on my breathing I was slowly able to get my brain back in the right place for yoga and proceeded to sweat my butt off in a very good way. During final rest I found that I was so relaxed that I caught myself dreaming before it was over.

Nothing like a good sweat and some focused breathing to get back into the present moment and relaxed!

Thanks!!!