Category: Uncategorized

Thankful for the Journey, Book Webs, & a Simple Task

Day 3,633

Growth:

Two very interesting quotes about enjoying the journey, not just the destination that both echoed in my mind:

But I’d had many great moments in the last few weeks, and I couldn’t help feeling a touch of sadness at the thought that it was all over. – Sir Edmund Hillary, High Adventure

There was loneliness, too, as the sun set, but only rarely now did doubts return. Then I felt sinkingly as if my whole life lay behind me. Once on the mountain I knew (or trusted) that this would give way to total absorption with the task at hand. But at times I wondered if I had not come a long way only to find that what I really sought was something I had left behind. – Thomas F. Hornbein, Everest: The West Ridge

Appreciation:

Throughout the years the boys and I have traded many great books. We’ve all encouraged each other to pick up different titles based on our overlapping interests and have created quite a web of book reading crossover. This evening Dominic was telling us about how far he was into a specific book, one that I’d initially read and then gotten Gavin hooked on. Gavin in turn talked Dominic into picking it up. I then shared with Dominic that I was just wrapping up a book he’d referred to me, High Adventure by Sir Edmund Hillary. So many of the books the three of us have read started with one recommendation from someone else and then expanded within our family. I’m very grateful for the shared taste in reading we all have!

Presence:

There was an oddly still moment of presence this morning in a very unexpected place. While making lunch I intentionally did not have any music, audiobook, or podcast going, I was working alone and in silence. With the main ingredients slowly cooking on the stove I got into a rhythm while slicing a couple of small blocks of cheese. Without realizing it I became quickly in tune with how focused I was in that moment, how nothing else mattered, and I was enjoying such a rudimentary task with much more joy than one should expect. The task itself was not important, it was the act of being fully present in the task at hand, in the that moment. Wild, so oddly soothing and gratifying!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Unbecoming, Choice, & Stunning Sunbeams

Day 3,631

Growth:

“Maybe the journey isn’t about becoming anything.  Maybe it’s about unbecoming everything that isn’t really you, so that you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.”

Paulo Coelho

Appreciation:

When I am unhappy, who do I blame? How do I move toward joy?

The truth is, the source of my frustration, guilt, or anger isn’t another person—it’s how I choose to respond. My unhappiness grows when I react without intention, instead of pausing to choose my attitude and my next step.

I can’t demand others change how they think or act—that’s their work, not mine. What I can do is decide how I’ll respond. I can coach, encourage, or adjust my interactions. If needed, I can create distance. But the choice is always mine.

They control themselves. I control me. My unhappiness doesn’t come from what they did—it comes from my resistance to their choices.

So I remind myself: choose wisely. Choose joy.

Presence:

Our morning run was great, engaging conversation, running through the 20+ mph winds, and very invigorating. As we wrapped up and got close to home we could see the tops of the eastern clouds glow a dark orange.

On my way in to the office the sun had come up but was firmly seated behind a thick dark gray cloud. Fortunately for my visual enjoyment there were a couple of very small gaps in which the sunlight blasted through and lit up small pockets of the woods on the bluffs. It was such a stunning and sharp contrast, certain areas absolutely light by the sunlight while the majority was held in dark shadow. Stunning!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Cleaning the Clutter, Learning and Growing, & Sleeping In

Day 3,630

Growth:

Once in a while it is so important to pause and clean up all the clutter surrounding us. In my case it was taking a moment to pause and clean up my completely cluttered home screen on my computer. Over the busyness of the past few months there have been more and more files placed on the desktop as a way to hurry through a process. While transitioning between activities today I realized how this extra clutter was getting in my way and causing completely unnecessary stress. As soon as the clean up was completed I could feel a sense of satisfaction and a lightening of my shoulders. From that point on I was able to work with more focus on the specific tasks at hand rather than losing small amounts of concentration on the mess.

Appreciation:

One of my favorite parts of my career path is the opportunity to get to know so many different people and learn about the how and why behind what they do for a living. Quite often this leads to conversations about purpose, motivation, and how they work towards their goals.

Today this was focused on a couple of specific conversations which were very eye opening. We quickly found common ground in how we enjoying leading and helping others. There was an engaging back and forth as we learned from each other and shared ideas and compared notes. I’m very grateful for opportunities like this to learn, grow, and connect!

Presence:

Sleeping in a little bit, taking my time getting up and moving, and still getting to work early. Not ideal to take a few extra zzz’s instead of working out, but it felt like exactly what I needed this morning!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Rolling with It, Learning from History, and a Rainy Run and Yoga

Day 3,629

Growth:

Some days go just like they’re scripted. Other days go off the rails due to a server issue chased up with a phone system problem. Life is so much easier when you roll with it rather than struggle to push against it.

Appreciation:

This may seem rather simple, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn about all of our history – good and bad. As people we’ve accomplished some incredible things, but we’ve also committed some terrible atrocities. The key is to remember both, to learn from both, to attempt to grow into better people than those before us.

As I dive into a book about the beginning of the Civil War and the horrific history of slavery I’m sure there will be many moments in which I cringe, but I hope there will also be some in which I can learn from the successes of those who fought evil.

Presence:

The day started off with a cool rainy morning run and wrapped up with a hot sweaty yoga session. Both moments were key components of creating and sustaining an excellent day!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Sharing the Outdoors, Early Bedtime, & an Eerie Walk

Day 3,628

Growth:

How much fun to share your passions for outdoor activities with others? Whether sharing outdoor stories, trading ideas on potential adventures, or plotting future get aways to the wilderness it seems to be a conversation always leaving me full of joy. Sharing the outdoors with others is one of my favs for sure!

Appreciation:

Early bed for this guy last night, was horizontal and ready for sleep by 8pm. Well over eight hours of sleep later I awoke feeling so much better! After my blog I’ll be off to bed for more of the same tonight!

Busy weeks and weekends are amazing and rewarding, taking the time to sleep and recharge is divine. Definitely more early bed times in store for me for the week.

Presence:

Walking out of the house while it was dark into a wall of fog visible thanks to the beam of light blasting forth from the kitchen window. What an eerie experience walking through the thick fog in the dark. The random person standing in a yard wearing only sweat pants and practicing some weird form of karate made it all the more surreal. Honest to God, not a fever dream or anything, one hundred percent real and crazy as all get out. I said “good morning,” they responded in kind, and Leia just kept looking back and keeping an eye on them after we passed. That woke me up!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Awareness, a Full Day, & a Bike Ride with Becky

Day 3,627

Growth:

Awareness, awareness, awareness.

Life is so much more joyful when we are in a state of awareness, knowing what is truly important, and helping us live more closely into who we were called to be.

Realizing what is really important, seeing through the illusions of what society incorrectly deems as important.

Finding joy in wanting what we have rather than having what we want.

Realizing we have no right to have expectations of the actions of others, rather, we see people as they are and choose our mindsets and actions accordingly.

Awareness, awareness, awareness.

Appreciation:

From an early wake up for a holiday morning to knock out our run to driving five hours to drop Dominic off at school to going on a nice chill bike ride to now relaxing and reading on the deck it has been a rather epic bonus day off of work. It was a day full of purpose, of helping (in both expected and unexpected ways), of remembering what is really important in life. Much time in thought, much time considering choices we all make and which I’ve made correctly and which I have learned from. All in all, a very chill be introspective day of living towards purpose.

Presence:

Riding bikes with Becky on French Island today was pretty chill! There’s nothing quite like the relaxation and childlike sense of play one feels when pedaling for fun with no goal in mind other than enjoying the ride. Getting bonus active outside time with the two of us was outstanding!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Perspective, a Nonstop Productive Day, & an Early Morning Walk with Becky

Day 3,626

Growth:

In so many different faiths, groups, and theories there is a faith in something greater than oneself. So often it is easy to not think about and to not consider. This morning was a perfect opportunity to pause and put that back into the forefront my thoughts. Our priest’s sermon included a wonderful thought and presence exercise to put The Big Dude Upstairs back to the front and center. Life is so much more fulfilling and joyful with the right perspective.

Appreciation:

Gotta love the days that seem like they are going to be very chill, but then suddenly the day is full throttle! From grocery shopping to cleaning up a rough spot on the car to cooking supper to helping Gavin research colleges to finishing the last details of the deck to helping Dominic pack up for moving tomorrow and all with a dash of sorting through old electronics. A nonstop thrill ride of fun and excitement – but all in a sublimely productive way. Not what was expected or planned, but so grateful for the way it all turned out!

Presence:

An early morning walk with Becky to start the day was exactly what I needed to get the day off to the right foot. The weather was perfect, the dog was smiling, and we had quiet time to just the two of us without screens or interruptions. Time to chill, connect, unwind, and enjoy some fresh air.

Thanks!!

Thankful for a Perfect Becky Birthday

Day 3,625

What an epic Saturday it has been! Becky’s birthday was a huge success, so perfect of s day together.

From watching old home movies to hitting the trail for a hike to paddle boarding with Dominic and Caitlyn to dinner as a family and then finally wrapping up watching more old home movies was awesome. From start to finish it was a family filled celebration of Becky.

Off to bed, I’ll definitely need some rest after this one!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for a List of Things!

Day 3,624

List time for today’s blog!

  • Laughs with my family to wrap up the night
  • Spending time with one of our favorite Australians over dinner on our deck
  • Sitting outside on the deck shooting the bull
  • An awesomely productive day full of twists and turns
  • Being surrounded by overachievers who’s assign and drive are palpable
  • Coffee!!!
  • Remembering that challenges are opportunities for growth

A full day!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Bonus Family Time at Gavin’s Football Game

Day 3,623

Always fun watching Gavin play football, even more fun watching him play while Dominic is there hanging out with us! Thanks to the game being up in Northern Wisconsin we also had some bonus family members hanging out and watching the game with us, also an extra treat.

We had a long drive with Becky, Dominic, & I on the way there – extra conversation time. Now Dominic is driving us home and we got some additional bonus time for conversation on the way home.

Dominic goes back to school on Monday, a pretty sweet way wrap up our time together, and was a tasty appetizer to start a weekend together as a family (after one more work day).

Thanks!!!