Day 2,221

Growth:

What a difference it makes to let people be a part of creating a plan rather than just dictating a plan. The plan ends up being significantly better AND it is so much easier to execute with everyone’s buy in.

Appreciation:

There’s a time to stand up and take action, and I did that tonight. I’m thankful for the mentors in my life who showed me the path and built up my confidence to do so when needed.

Presence:

After our run this morning I took a little rest in bed. Due to taking Gavin to school I had a little extra time on my hands and I opted to get horizontal and relax my brain. With my sleep mask on and a very quiet house I chilled and focused on my breathing. What a wonderful calm there is to be found in my mind when I’m present without distraction.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,220

Growth:

On my quest to read 100 books in 2022 I’ve come across some I read over a decade ago. What’s interesting is that in reading them I’m finding that books are similar to rivers. You know the quote, “you never step in the same river twice.” Such is the same for books. Though the words are the same as they were before the person I am is very different than the person I was then. The experiences of life have shifted perspecitves a bit as well as help me divine deeper meanings.

Appreciation:

Family couch time isn’t usually on tap at our home. We’re usually doing something, playing a game, or off running somewhere. Tonight was a magical night in which we all had everything done AND plopped on the couch in the living room to catch an episode of Alone while talking smack and guessing what would happen. There’s only another 10 or 11 months ahead of us before there will be only three of us… I’m savoring all these moments while I can.

Presence:

Getting totally lost in the moment of a conversation with someone I haven’t seen in a long while is so easy to do. It’s kind of like presence on cheat mode! Time flew by as we caught up and shared thoughts and stories.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,219

Growth:

It is easy to solve a problem, yet it can be extremely difficult to clearly define the problem. The first idea isn’t always tight and is usually downstream of a greater and unseen issue. Rushing to solve the surface problem will often result in the need for additional problem solving. Slow down, define the true issue, and then solve it.

Appreciation:

There was an impossibly negative new story tonight which was a reminder of the fallibility & frailty of humans, specifically heroes. While struggling to accept the news – while remembering that the full details are unknown – I had an internal struggle. All the positives learned from the person, they are still as true today as they were before the horrible things were brought to light.

It’s really been a struggle to remember that we all have our demons – some so much greater than others – that we have faced, have bargained with, and have dealt with. In spite of those demons we are all still part of something so much bigger and there is a natural goodness within all of us. When the best of us succumb to our demons the past goods, the past wisdoms, are just as true afterwards as they were before.

What I’m thankful for tonight (while simultaneously praying for the victim) is the reminder to use logic to maintain the wisdom received while not letting my emotions blot out all that person taught due to the evil of their actions.

Maybe I should’ve waited and thought in this prior to weighing, but my blog is as placed for me to with through my own challenges. Honestly, my soul is in tears for so many reasons due to this news today, logic seems to be where I can draw strength and start to process… to grow through this.

Presence:

In yoga tonight there were a few poses held on each side that really torched my legs. Each breath in seemed to go right to the forge inside my legs and heated them up more. They are very sore now as they were in the moment, but in those moments of focused breath nothing on earth existed outside of my legs and my breathing. Incredible!

I have to add a bonus one…. Laying in bed to blog I had to pause for a couple of minutes to savor the sounds of raindrops outside my open window.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,218

Growth:

Something I’ve realized is how woefully out of touch I am with my need to have down/think time. So much of life has been a rush recently, even the down time has been fast paced. I need to create more space for myself.

Appreciation:

This weather!!! We took the boat off the water today and were blessed with almost perfect boating weather.

Spending do much of the day in shorts and a tshirt while doing outside work so late in October was a treat!

Presence:

The sun on my face, the wind blowing my hair, the sound of our boat engine, and ice cold and delicious IPA in my hand. The last boat ride if the season, so easy to get lost in almost each moment of it.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,217

Growth:

Ryan Holiday’s books are very thought provoking AND provide some insightful history lessons. Throughout his two most recent books I’ve learned more interesting and inspiring histories than I’ve had in the past year. Can’t wait to read some of the books he referenced.

Appreciation:

Dominic played his last high school soccer game today. It marks the end of a chapter for him and for us. What I’m thankful for is the way he handled growing into the next phase of his life. Already he’s looking ahead to what’s next, so excited and happy for him!

Presence:

Nothing like watching what would turn out to be Dominic’s last high school soccer game to focus 100% attention on the moment! The entire game was a study in being hyper-vigilant. There was nothing else going on in my life than that soccer game as it happened, pretty wild!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,216

Growth:

Becky is going to kill me for this one 😉 In a moment of frustration over minutia that didn’t seem to matter a four letter acronym crossed my mind. WITA. What is this about. Rather than close my brain I paused, asked myself “what is this about,” and the stepped back to see the bigger picture more clearly. Very quickly the answer appeared and I was able to transform frustration into growth.

One simple four letter acronym to pause and gain perspective.

Appreciation:

Dominic and Gavin’s team is a big underdog for tomorrow. They’re the 8 seed playing against the 1. What I’m thankful for is the fact that they seem to be almost relishing the underdog role. Earlier in the season I saw some if the same sparkle in Dominic’s eyes and they went out and tied one of the Top 5 teams in the state in their division. It will be fun to see what happens.

Win or lose, what I’m most thankful for today is the chip on Dominic’s shoulder, his willingness to prove someone wrong. Rather than getting negative he seems to rise when he is told he can’t do something. That attitude will take him everywhere in life!

Presence:

Today I pulled over for the sunrise.

I glanced to my right and saw a dazzling orange sky. Yup, I’m going to enjoy this for a moment. Next thing I knew I was on a side road snapping a few pics and just taking it all in. Magnificent.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,215

Growth:

There were a handful of observations I had from our NextGen Leadership over the past 24 hours:

• The main thing getting in the way of growth seems to be holding on too tightly. Ease up, make space, create goal / vision clarity, and let others do what they do best.
• Working within a combination of strength and passion creates success.
• Mixing and matching styles to create a new solution is very effective – when the different styles both respect and appreciate each other.

Appreciation:

Spending time with mentors is never time wasted. I’m beyond appreciative to have had the opportunity to spend time with two of the greatest mentors I could ever have asked for today. Thank you again to the Tasler’s for sharing their time and wisdom with us today!!!

Presence:

Becky helped walk me back from the ledge before what could have been Dominic’s last soccer game tonight. I was all worked up and pacing, worrying about all the possibilities and things that could happen – both good and bad. She reminded me that if I stayed this worked up I would miss the moment itself. Very zen-like Becky! …and 100% accurate. I told a deep breath and kept that thought in mind.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,214

Growth:

Sharing the load feels like I’m giving in, Lind I’m admitting I’m not strong enough. How wild to realize it is actually a huge source of strength to ask for help!

Appreciation:

Connecting via emails and texts is helpful, but connecting in real life is divine.

Speaking of divine, the porchetta at NOSH in Winona was “blow my face off” delicious this evening to the point of being standalone evidence that there is a God and They love us 😉

Presence:

Running in the dark when the temperature is below zero is exhilarating. Each breath feels extra clean and crisp due to the temperature while the darkness masks the distance. Becky and I talk often in those runs but we occasionally both seem to skip into a drumming based meditation. Those moments are magical in their own special way and are mini pockets of presence.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,213

Growth:

So much to write about tonight related to growth! Hmm… how to sum it all up?

Sometimes the progress made can’t be seen in days. When measured in years the growth is tremendous. Trust that the small actions today will create mountains in the distance.

Appreciation:

This morning I had coffee with a friend I hadn’t seen in years. We dove right into conversation as if we’d talked last week.

What’s interesting is that this is yet another example of how releasing my book has led to reconnecting with friends. I swear that writing is the gift that keeps on giving. So many positive impacts!

Presence:

Time spent catching up with a friend I haven’t seen in a handful of years creates such a moment of presence. When I finally looked at my watch I was stunned that so much time had flown by so quickly.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,212

Growth:

Some of the best books must be read over and over and over and over before they really start to sink in. Just started reading-reading Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Mind-blowing on so many levels. This is one I’ll be reading at least annually for the remainder of my life.

Appreciation:

Whew, I am going to keep this one a little short this time next my emotions get the best of me. Today I received a set of heartfelt gifts from one if my work families. The meaning and purpose behind them were profoundly powerful and will have a lasting positive impact on my soul.

Presence:

For lunch I drove out to one of my favorite spots to take in the views of the leaves. I pulled out my salad and ate in my car. I turned on the audiobook of Man’s Search for Meaning and was quickly lost in the story. I was so into it that I didn’t realize how late it was getting until my salad was gone. Such a thought provoking story, I was so glued to it. My brain didn’t wander in the least, it was amazing!

Thanks!!!