Here’s the post I typed last night on my flight. Finally getting it posted 😁

Day 2,320

Growth:

Through my blogging and writing practice I’ve created an opportunity to pause and think quietly each day. With all the chaos, craziness, busyness, and whatnot in my daily life I’ve got a buffer of 15 to 60 minutes of thoughtful reflection already built in.

The benefits of this time in thought cannot be overstated. My level of joy and peace have been increased to a new level as a result of taking time for some mental self care each day. Sometimes it takes days like this of working on thought related projects to help me step back and see just how much this has helped.

Appreciation:

For some crazy reason I’m really grooving on using a flight as a mobile thought laboratory. The vast majority of my flight time has been focused on creating content for upcoming presentations while the rest was used for reading a fiction with a wonderfully thought provoking plot. For some unknown reason it feels really gratifying to work on projects like this while flying. Maybe it’s the lack of distraction? Regardless, I’m thankful for this odd new-ish habit I’ve been working on forming.

Presence:

Sitting on our plane I had a peaceful moment of calm. As I was looking up my next song choice for the soundtrack to writing I stumbled upon a video by The Strumbellas. I paused and immediately saw a connection to the topic I was working on and the song itself. Without even thinking about it much I just kept going with music from one of my favorite bands.

Next thing I knew I had my eyes closed and I was jamming out to their song Wild Sun and thinking back to their concert in 2019. During that song the crowd erupted with energy and was stomping and clapping in unison along with the song. It was such a surreal moment of awesomeness that still makes me smile when I think about it. Spending a couple of minutes on our flight going back in time a few years was truly excellent.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,319

Growth:

So many lessons to be gleaned from so many moments of life. Pausing to soak in the moment and being present allow us to learn and grow so often should we only choose to be still and listen.

Appreciation:

I’m beyond grateful for having such a positive support structure in so many aspects of my life. It is so easier to work on being a better version of me when I know so many people surround me and will be there to help and encourage me throughout anything.

Presence:

Taking a moment in all the busyness to pause, sit on the couch, close my eyes, breathe, and enjoy stillness was exactly what I needed this afternoon.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,318

Growth:

The world feels like a better place when we feel 100% comfortable picking up hitchhikers. Seriously, on our ride to town we had an open seat on our golf cart and there were people looking for a ride. We pulled over twice and helped get them closer to their destination.

Maybe the bigger view is this – in a mindset if abundance I see resources I have which can benefit others so I share them without asking anything in return. It helps the other person and causes me no harm. Abundance thinking leads to joy everytime.

Appreciation:

Tami plans so much of our Belize trips behind the scenes, I’ve only recently learned how crazy that task can be. This evening I had an exchange with the front desk that had me almost rolling with laughter while simultaneously sweating and wondering if it was actually going to get fixed. I’m thankful gif her planning, patience, and attention to detail to help create an excellent experience for our teammates.

Presence:

At mini golf tonight I laughed so hard at a joke that I almost blew my drink out my nose! Laughing, joking, and goofing off as a group, what an awesome way to spend time together.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,317

Growth:

In the words of an inspiring mentor. Give. Give more than you feel comfortable giving. Give without a thought of receiving in return. Give.

Appreciation:

Sharing moments, is there any greater joy in the world? Spending time with others creating memories through shared life experiences – especially in moments of true awe and presence.

So incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share so many amazing moments of awe today!

Presence:

A moment in a song that pulls at your heart strings unexpectedly. What a beautiful moment of presence the sound from a guitar can bring.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,316

Growth:

Living our values towards our purpose will always lead to joy.

Appreciation:

Today I spent time in a village which only recently had a road built to it. Before that the only way in and out was by boat. In that village were so many reminders of how important simplicity is to our lives and wellbeing.

Case in point? The five kids playing soccer in a field. Not one shoe amongst any of them. All laughing, playing, having fun, exercising, and enjoying each other’s company.

So many reminders of how life should be lived.

Presence:

There was a moment on the boat in which it was almost moved to tears and had to breathe to work through it. The wind in my hair, the sun on my face, and the jaw dropping sights all around. What caused the emotion? Was it everything the jungle was sharing with my senses? No.

What moved my emotions was the sense of awe I heard in the voices of everyone else on the boat. That moment and those like it will inspire and motivate me for years.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,315

Growth:

Regardless of whether I’m on vacation or not I’ll never regret getting a run in before breakfast. Our run this morning in the sun, heat, and humidity was a bit sticky and a ton awesome! So glad we carved out time and got my butt moving this morning.

Appreciation:

The peace and joy of realizing one is living into one’s purpose is indescribable. My heart is beyond full and bursting with joy.

Presence:

After breakfast my teammates and their spouses headed back to their rooms to prep for our upcoming excursion. Becky and I sat at the table and enjoyed the last of our coffee as we took in the morning. The radio played 7 Years by Lukas Graham and I caught myself completely entranced by the music and lyrics.

Soon, I’ll be 60 years old, my daddy got 61
Remember life and then your life becomes a better one
I made the man so happy when I wrote a letter once
I hope my children come and visit, once or twice a month

Lukas Graham – 7 Years

Becky left the table for a moment and I walked out to the dock. I gazed across the lagoon, past the mountains, and beyond.

I missed Dad, wished he were here to enjoy this moment, and smiled when I realized he was.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,314

Growth:

Being in a state of awe is amazing. Helping others be in a similar state fills the heart even more.

Appreciation:

What a reminder of how little we really need today has been. The experience of the real Belize reminds me of how little is needed to live a joyful life.

Presence:

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities to learn so much from different cultures. Each travel experience brings new awareness of so many different ways of viewing the world, so many new viewpoints, and the opportunity to see how similar we all are as a people in spite of all of our differences.

Being outside in the sun is amazing anytime, but even more so when it is in the middle of winter. Driving down the road in a golf cart feeling extra hot and sweaty in the sun and humidity today was borderline glorious!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,313

Growth:

Sometimes exhaustion is the muse I must listen to. After getting two hours of sleep and getting on the road at 1:30am today I was already zonked before we boarded our 6am flight out of Minneapolis. Sleep sounded amazing, but I felt like I had an itch I just needed to scratch. Next thing I knew there was only a half hour left of our three hour flight and I’d put together an entire outline of a what’s likely to be my next book, social media posts for the next week, and a bunch of other ideas all sketched out!

I was exhausted, but that may have been exactly what I needed today.

Appreciation:

Our second flight provided an opportunity to test myself and my personal growth from the past year. I would give myself s passing grade, but I’ve got a long way to go to get on the dean’s list 😉

I can choose to see frustration or an opportunity to test myself and grow. Today I chose growth.

Presence:

Last night Gavin reminded me of an extended moment of presence from our November trip to Iceland – the beauty of a six hour sunset on the flight home. We chased the sun and it finally lost us just before we landed. Six hours of beautiful orange sunset hanging for almost an eternity. What a memory!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,312

Growth:

Remember that this blog is an active action and not a compulsion. I do not have to it, each day I have the choice to make. Even on days like this when I’m going nonstop and need to go to bed I still choose the joy of gratitude.

Appreciation:

This blog is a tool to help me enjoy more of life by remembering to pause and appreciate all the blessings around me.

I’m thankful for all of the thousands of ways this practice has improved my life over the past seven plus years. Today was full of reminders of those blessings.

Presence:

This moment right here:

Both sons playing together at the same concert… awesome.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,311

Growth:

Funny how there are a handful of moments which can really define the day. Depending on which moment we choose to focus on our lens to view the day changes tremendously.

Choose to focus on the positive, be present and acknowledge the negative, but choose Growth, Appreciation, and Presence.

Appreciation:

I’m so thankful for a nudge I felt yesterday in a conversation. As I written about before, intentions are empty, actions are fulfilling. The conversation led me to take action and I’m thankful I did. The result was so much more positive than I’d expected.

Someone once taught me that God works through people. When we feel a nudge to do something kind we really should trust it and follow through.

Presence:

Yoga tonight was AWESOME!!! For real, one of the best practices I’ve ever experienced. The movement was steady and constant and required 100% presence. The actions were beautifully woven to breathing. The poses and movements between were a challenge but possible. Long story short- it was an ideal flow experience.

This was the lens I’ve chosen to view my day through. In 60 minutes everything became right in the world and my soul feels so much lighter. Ahh..,

Thanks!!!