Day 2,275

Growth:

There are so many times when we can see the greatness lying in wait inside another person – even when they don’t quite see it themselves. The greatness is so elusive and shy, it can’t be forced out. Rather, it takes work and coaxing, and even then it has to come out of its own accord. There’s nothing the observer can to do draw it out other than slowly help it see the possibility.

The growth I’m thankful for today is the reminder to not force the issue, telling someone how great they are isn’t the answer. Slow down and help them walk to the conclusion on their own. Provide the opportunities for them to shine, but be wary of pushing too hard.

Appreciation:

Yoga with Becky on a Monday night is just about the perfect way to start a week. With all the different directions we go as a family knowing that we have that time to pause, breathe, re-center, and get a some sweat in to start the week really helps me stay centered throughout the week.

While there were many reasons to thankful today that one is amongst on of the foundational bricks which support the opportunity for those other moments of appreciation. I can’t overstate the importance of taking time to re-charge, focus, breathe, and re-center in my life. Without the calming activities like yoga I am over stressed. Without physical activity I feel flat and not as productive as I should be. Without time outdoors I don’t pause to appreciate the natural world around me. Without some time alone in thought (like when I’m blogging) I don’t have time to focus on dissecting my thoughts and actions. Put all of these together, my yoga practice with Becky, my run outside this morning, and my time blogging right now and I feel so much more full, focused, and on the right track to start the week.

Presence:

My morning run was a bit on the chilly side, but that made it all the more peaceful. There’s nothing quite like running when it’s zero or a little below. The air is so calm and still, it feels more full in some ways. With the new fallen snow there’s also an absence of sound which makes it feel all the more quiet and lonely (in a good way). Runs like this take a little bit to get used to, but once I am ready for them they are amongst the most serene and satisfying runs I ever have. So thankful for the opportunity to enjoy one of those cold runs this morning!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,274

Growth:

Becky had an awesome idea for today – snowshoeing. While the boys snowboarded the two of us hit Twin Bluffs State Park. There was only one other person on the trail as we explored a spectacularly scenic winter wonderland. The views were so amazing. The snow brought out even more beauty than we’ve previously seen there before.

The serenity of snowshoeing almost alone in the still winter air is beyond words. A fulfilling workout, time outside, shared moments with each other, and a peaceful state of mind. I need to remember to snowshoe more often!

Appreciation:

Even through the busyness our family has had over the past month and change we’ve found time to watch two of our favorite Christmas movies together over the past few nights. As the boys get older they catch more and more if the jokes and we all enjoy the movies just a bit more. Having time together to share in some of these traditions is priceless and I’m grateful for each moment.

Presence:

So, truth be told, I’m not a big sports fan. Every year for the past ten or so had seen a decline in my interest. Nothing against professional & college sports or their fans, I just have other passions which seem to grow each year.

That said, the presence of following today’s World Cup Final from the last 15 minutes of regulation and the conclusion seemed to transcend sports! Nonstop excitement ensued as I found myself quickly drawn in at an almost guttural level. The momentum shifts, the back stories, and the energy of the teams brought to present moment into such sharp clarity. There’s certainly a magic to the ability of sports to harness the present moment, today I basked in it.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,273

Growth:

The more one thinks about something the more it seems to appear. If my thought is unfocused my mind will drift. If I keep my thoughts intentionally focused my mind will lead me to where I need to go. Stay focused, stay intent, and be ready for opportunity

Appreciation:

Dominic had a test run of his future college experience this morning. He somehow lucked out and landed the infamous 7:45am on Saturday slot for his Calculus 2 final at UWL. He was home before 9am and felt great about how it went.

I’m thankful he had the opportunity to experience a final before college to get a feel for what he has in store for him. From the nervous night of sleep before to studying with a friend a couple nights before he git quite the experience!

Presence:

The adrenaline starts pumping through the veins minutes before the wrestling match starts. Everything tenses up and time seems to slow down. The anticipation is palpable…

and then I watch as a Gavin’s match starts. Yup, I was talking about my mental status at his wrestling meet today. High intensity as an observer, 100% focused in the present during that blast of time.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,272

Growth:

So many reminders of a simple lesson today. There isn’t home life and work life, there is only life. Part of our role as a leader at work is to help our teammates grow in life, not just work life. I cannot imagine a more purposeful life than through brightening the lives of teammates.

Appreciation:

There’s so much you can weather, but there’s even more you can accomplish when you’ve got incredible teammates all around you. We helped each other. Told each other jokes. Pushed each other and disagreed and created better at solutions together as a result. We worked together, shared together, supported each other, and grew together. What a rewarding way to end the week!

Presence:

Maybe a new habit has been started? This morning I woke up, did my breathing exercises, knocked out more push-ups with empty lungs than I think I’ve ever done while breathing, and the went outside to shovel snow… in s T-shirt and shorts. The wind brought the feel of about 10 degrees Fahrenheit, a little brisk but totally invigorating! Working slowly while continuing to breathe through my nose helped to keep my core body temperature up and I was pretty comfortable. The time in the quiet cold of the outdoors was sooooooo peaceful!

Thanks!!

Day 2,269

Growth:

Remember to focus on the why rather than just following a habit. Don’t let routine get in the way of purpose. Tonight’s blog is short as a result and my heart is more full because of it.

Appreciation:

One of the Top 3 Questions to Ask Myself Daily for 2023 is this:

Was I present with my family today?

Tonight I was and it had a lot to do with asking myself that question two times per day over almost a week.

Presence:

Sharing time with the boys while playing a game and joking around was amazing. These moments are fewer and further between as they get older and busier and I’ll soak them each up as best I can.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,268

Growth:

One of my favorite books from this year shared the story of a photography class. The class was split in half and were given different instructions on how they would be graded. The first half were told they would be graded on the single best photo they took. The second group was told that their grade would be based purely on the sheer number of photos they took. At the end of the semester the teacher graded each student’s single best photo. The second half – the half focused on QUANTITY – overwhelmingly outscored the QUALITY focused group. While the quality group took time to line up one perfect shot the quantity group took pictures of everything from all angles and learned and grew as a result of the staggering amount of activity they did. Success is like that, it is all about getting in the reps and learning from them.

Habits are all about momentum. Once the first action is taken the second becomes easier, as does the third, the fourth, and so on. The most difficult actions are the first and the one that comes next. Breathe, plan, trust, and take action. Learn, adapt, and take action again. Repeat.

Appreciation:

Throughout the day my mind kept going back to an interesting fact. Becky and I started our day waking up together. We then went on our morning run together before the world was awake and had an opportunity to talk and connect. After work and dinner with Dominic we went to yoga and stretched and sweated together. Once I’m done blogging I’ll end the day in the exact opposite of how the day started, by falling asleep next to Becky.

I am so fortunate to have someone who enjoys the same types of activities, who’s on pretty much the same schedule, and who is there to bookend each day with me. Days like this are amongst my favorites.

Presence:

This morning the alarm went off way earlier than I wanted (even though I set it myself). What really got me going was the incredible weather outside on our run. The temperature was warm enough that I had to take off my light jacket and run in just a sleeveless t-shirt for a few miles to cool back down a bit. The cool air going into my lungs was amazing – so crisp & fresh, it was a wonderful way to kick off the morning.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,266

Growth:

When I start working on a project I almost need to pause, breathe, and take care of all the detailed stuff necessary BEFORE I get into the fun stuff. if I give in without prep my train of thought gets totally derailed and I get ornery.

Case in point from tonight. Get all my accounts loaded up, the detail sheets open, and get all the necessary materials in front of me. THEN dive into the brain work. Diving in without the prep means a frustrated Kreiling.

Appreciation:

When there’s a specific message The Big Dude Upstairs wants us to hear we need only listen. Through the past week there’ve been no less than a handful of nudges the Universe has used to help me get my brain straight. Some were almost comical in nature while others, like this morning, were profoundly poignant.

Message heard loud and clear. Time to elevate and improve significantly and steadily. The pathway is there, I only need to walk it.

Presence:

The centering power of breath is an awesomely powerful tool that is always there waiting to be tapped into. My morning started with my breathing practice and then rolled into early morning yoga. Through the day there were moments when I paused and enjoyed the sensation of air coming in through my nose and up my sinuses. As I focused on those breaths I was drawn in to the moment. What a gift that we all gave the opportunity to use our breath to center ourselves!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,265

Growth:

Over the past couple of days I’m starting to see some differences between good days and best days. What’s particularly interesting thus far is that it seems to have more to do with my focus than what happens during the day. When I have a solid plan and am able to work into a state of flow I feel a greater sense of purpose than when I’m seeing the results of the work. Weird, right? Kinda makes some crazy sense at the same time. Definitely something to five more deeply into in the future.

Appreciation:

Our Winona team has really rallied around our annual Christmas Wish Express. It’s an opportunity for community members to nominate other community members to receive a $1,000 check to add some extra magic to their holidays. The winning family came into our office this morning and created a moment we will never forget. My heart is beyond full!

Presence:

During the very tail end of our run today the snow started to fall. We were at just the right spot in which the hill and trees blocked out the sounds of the city. As we ran I could hear the snow falling to the ground. What a peaceful and serene sound it was! Like rain on a tent there was something soothing in the sound.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,264

Growth:

So much of living a joyful life is under our control. What is our daily plan? How do we stay disciplined to it? When do we fight through temporary discomfort to grow? Do we choose to accept the advice of others who are more experienced/wise/smarter than we are in a subject? Will we choose to see an obstacle or an opportunity to improve? All up to us to choose our perception.

Appreciation:

This afternoon I had to dig back through some old files and came across some true gold. One of the sheets I found was an old review of my sales performance. The notes were written by an outside observer who rode along with me on sales calls. It was largely focused on some of the many ways in which I needed to improve.

What’s also interesting was how I grew through that advice and now offer it up to my teammates. I immediately shared it with all of my teammates to help them see how growth can happen when we focus on it. Based on those results you’d never guess I would grow into being a fairly successful franchisee.

It was a trip down memory lane!

Presence:

I often enjoy snapping a photo of a beautiful moment in nature. There are some things that are beyond capturing on film. Today was one of the days when the camera stayed out away and I burned the image into my brain.

On my drive to Winona I watched the moon slowly dropping into the Mississippi River Valley. It was big and full and it’s descent at this time of the year placed it almost in the middle of the valley. That in of itself was beautiful.

Then, over my shoulder, the dark reddish-orange sun burst out of the Mississippi River Valley behind me. It was so grand watching the giant copper disc shrink and pale as it rose from the bluffs.

The setting full moon in the valley in front of me, the rising sun in the valley behind me. Epic!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,263

Growth:

Over the past year I set out to read 100 books. I’m currently at 102 completed with another couple in progress and another half dozen queued up. They are a mix of fiction, business, self improvement, philosophy, forestry, and whatnot. As I started putting my plans together for 2023 there were so many times I caught myself referencing books I’d read over the past year. In some cases I stopped what I was doing, pulled out the book, searched up the note, and then got back to it.

My life was better today due to the sheer volume of information I took in over the past year. Throughout reading those books I was opened up to new ideas, new ways of looking at the world, and different tactics. As I considered the right path for me it was so much more clear as I was able to look down so many different paths for at least brief moments to get a lay of the land. So many ideas, so much work and focus to read that much, but worth each moment of it.

Appreciation:

The job I had before Express had such a sweet benefit I could hardly believe it was real. I got an honest to god pager. It wasn’t just a pager, but every ten minutes or so it would update the scores of baseball and football games and flash the scores across the screen. Yessir, the late ’90’s were a time of electronic magic 😉

Fast forward to yesterday. In preparation for my planning session today I wanted to refresh my memory on a handful of processes I’d learned about through a podcast. I lifted up my phone, went to my podcast app, found the episodes, and hit download. Over the next few hours of drive time I went back through them and got what I was looking for.

What I’m grateful for today is the availability of data and information. Having access to so many resources is truly mind bending when I stop to think about it. My life is so much easier and more successful specifically due to the available information I can use to shape my strategies and actions.

Presence:

After knocking out my bike ride I felt like a breakfast beyond the usual. I fired up the griddle, grabbed the left over chimichurri beef, green onion and chive cheese, and some eggs. Rather than the norm I savored a plate of hot deliciousness. Talk about a moment to be present in! The flavors were exquisite and appreciated each and every bite!

Thanks!!!