Day 3,696

Growth:

Quite possibly one of my all time favorite exchanges in a book… You’ve likely seen the scene in the movie No Country for Old Men, the quote is from the book that inspired the movie. This quote takes place in a gas station as the antagonist of the movie, Anton Chigurh, is considering whether or not to murder the attendant who made the mistake of attempting to start a conversation with Chigurh.

What follows is an epically insightful exchange on fate, the future, and existence. Mind blowingly perfect on so many levels.

“You need to call it,” Chigurh said, “I can’t call it for you. It wouldn’t be fair. It wouldn’t even be right. Just call it.”
“I didn’t put nothin up.”
“Yes you did. You’ve been putting it up your whole life. You just didn’t know it. You know what the date is on this coin?”
“No.”
“It’s nineteen fifty-eight. It’s been traveling twenty-two years to get here. And now it’s here. And I’m here. And I’ve got my hand over it. And it’s either heads or tails. And you have to say. Call it.”

Cormac McCarthy, No Country for Old Men

Appreciation:

There’s a moment of joy sparked when teammates live into the values as one would hope they would – not because they feel like they should – but specifically because that’s just the way they are wired! Seeing them follow through the way I would hope they would, all without ever being asked multiple times over the past couple of weeks has een outstanding!

Presence:

Yoga for the win this evening!!! Taking a break from “real life” to engage in sixty minutes of focused breathing, stretching, posing, and working, letting the mind go to free the soul. So chill to get into the flow, being as present as I will likely be in any moment throughout the entire day.

All that said, there was also our morning run in the very cold wind, a real feel of 15 degrees in the 12 mph headwind. The chill was a bit rough at first, but very centering for sure!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,695

Going a little old school tonight and putting together a handful of gratitudes from throughout the day:

• Having an afternoon and evening at home, relaxing with Becky while grilling
• Getting into a project that is way outside my comfort zone, but for a very good purpose
• Getting some fun catch up time in with Gavin, and a fun FaceTime with Dominic
• Reading a book that is so engaging I couldn’t put it down
• Realizing with clarity where I am most full of joy
• Being able to choose my attitude when going into a ridiculously busy grocery store
• Having a conversation with Mom about some of memories of my grandma
• Seeing a clear path ahead

Thanks!!!

Day 3,694

Growth:

Nothing like reality testing different ideas of how we best live into our purpose and into joy. The timing couldn’t have been better to line up a handful of weekends to try living into a few different roles. Throughout life we only had so much time and energy to put into our identities, life is so improved when we live it intentionally.

Appreciation:

Finding a way to add some bonus time with Dominic into a weekend with buddies was fantastic! We got to hang out, play some games, joke around, and shoot the bull – all while blending some time together with my friends. Nothing like spending time with my boys and Becky to fill my bucket! This was a fun way to work in an “and,” adding some extra time.

Presence:

Spending time talking with Dominic while driving back to his apartment, fantastic!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,693

Perfectly time book for me!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,692

Growth:

LOL – yesterday I wrote about the quote by Paulo Coehlo, imagine my surprise as the book I finished today closed up with that exact same quote!!! A different book, a completely different topic, and yet the quote transcends! I’m starting to get the felling I was meant to really take the quote in, just a hunch!

Appreciation:

This has been a very long week, so much going on, a lot to take it. I’m finding it difficult to filter through what action needs to be taken now, what can wait and for how long, and what to release and let go. There is certainly a gravity pulling me towards certain directions, but they don’t seem to necessarily be the right ones. It seems to be becoming easier to take a deep breath before taking immediate action, before attempting to fix something immediately.

What I’m grateful for today is the repose to consider where my attention should be centered, what is most important rather than most urgent or the loudest. Pausing to see where I can achieve my greatest leverage.

I’m being reminded of the story of Dad watching me struggle with the crowbar as we took cabinets out of our kitchen. He smiled as he watched, let me get all worked into a lather, and then proceeded to take the crowbar. In very short order he tapped and nudged a few spots with the crowbar, gave a series of little tests across the base of the cabinets, smiled, and then applied a light amount of pressure in a very specific point. The cabinet almost launched off the floor as if by springs. “It’s all about working smart and applying leverage…”

Presence:

Taking time deep in thought to work through some of life’s more difficult questions. Pausing to examine what is really important, which goals I am most focused on, and how to best live into the roles of my life. Then zooming out and talking through it with friends, helping each other work through our thoughts and ideas. So difficult to not stay present in those moments!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,689

Growth:

The Dalai Lama was once asked, “What surprises you most about humanity?” “Man, because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”

Ryan Benz, Wander

Appreciation:

Blursday was a term shared by one of my favorite past yoga instructors. The concept is that the entire day goes by in a blur, hence why today is Blursday! From start to finish there were additional twists and turns, unexpected guest appearances, and even a solved crime! No, seriously, we even helped fight crime today – long story, drop a note if you want to learn more. It has been one thing to the next to the next. Throughout I’ve been largely satisfied, many moments included living into purpose, helping others, and finding ways to solve a challenge. A Blursday for sure, but a productive one!

Presence:

Running under the stars, enjoying the perfectly fall brisk air, and feeling like I was cheating the system by running a little later than normal even though it was the exact same time… An excellent way to kick off the workweek with Becky this morning!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,688

Growth:

Let go and trust the process. So often it becomes so easy to stress that which has not yet happened, to try to control situations which we have zero impact . Chill, take a deep breath, be present, and let life happen. The right actions will happen, why stress them when we don’t have to? Once they happen we can know exactly what we’re working on and how to work through it. Let go. Trust the process.

Appreciation:

This morning Gavin and I spent some time with Ken sighting in Gavin and Dominic’s rifles for the upcoming hunting season. This simple task brought back so many memories of doing the same with Dad so many years ago. We would head out to the gravel pit for some target practice about this time of the year and take our time lining up our scopes as we prepped for hunting. Just like those times with Dad there were jokes, smiles, advice, coaching, and bonding. Such a simple act, but so full of memories, an act that often feels like an ongoing rite of passage.

The rifle Gavin uses was my rifle growing up, it must be about three dozen years old by now. The rifle Dominic uses was my Grandpa’s from way back in the day and then used by Dad afterwards. I’ve shot each one many times and the sense of nostalgia still washes over me each time I shoot or see the boys fire them. Each rifle a tool to be used for generations, something to be passed on to others. As each is used the ghosts of the past owners all feel nearby.

Such a wonderful moment shared amongst generations today.

Presence:

Again, I know I sound like a broken record, but getting hiking time outside is one of my favorite things, no question! This morning I had the opportunity to get a nice hike in with Gavin out in the woods with just the two of us and Leia. Shortly thereafter it was time for Becky and I to take Leia for a walk with the two of us again. Both times it was so chill to have some quiet one on one time with each while also absorbing so much fresh air. Seeing all the leaves, the animal signs, and taking in everything nature has to offer was a wonderful form of therapy.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,687

Growth:

The more we focus on our dreams, review them, and put our attention to them the more often we are likely to achieve them.

Appreciation:

Extra outside time walking in the woods with Becky… one of my all time favorite activities!

Presence:

Spending time on the couch watching the World Series game going back and forth with Gavin has been fun. The bonus texts with my little brother have added to the experience. The nonstop momentum changes, crazy pressures, and lots of bonding – great times!!!

Thanks!!!