Day 3,595

Growth:

Throughout our tour of Stanford today there were ongoing reminders of how often we grow as a result of challenging situations. That’s where the growth really escalates!

Appreciation:

Whew, a relatively quiet night without much driving! Nice having the opportunity to take a deep breath and get an excellent night of sleep.

Also – very grateful for the tour of Stanford today, the single most beautiful campus I’ve ever set foot on! Mountains in the background, incredible architecture, so many trees, and an overwhelming sense of history and accomplishment emanating from the grounds.

Presence:

Hearing Gavin share his career goals and the why behind them may have brought a little tear to my eyes today!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,594

Growth:

Over the past few years I’ve continued to save some of the quotes that really caught my interest. Quite often it’s a lesson to remember, sometimes it’s a reminder of a lesson learned, and other times it seems as if it is a quote I will appreciate in the future.

What’s interesting is that each time I add a new one I take time to walk through many of the previously recorded quotes. My catalog has become a tool to keep so many of those quotes fresh in my brain.

The one that stuck out for me this last time was:

“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

Appreciation:

So interesting to see how different the learning environments are from college to college! At CalTech today my mind was blown over and over and over again as we toured campus and took in the admissions presentation. The focus on learning WITH others, the focus on learning HOW TO LEARN, and all of the opportunities for community while furthering research was outstanding! All of these college visits have been so eye opening to see the difference between my college experiences and the likely college experience Gavin will have. Wowza!

Presence:

A quiet moment of calm while looking out a window down to the Canyonlands area near Moab 10,000’ below me. Headphones in, chill music playing. Not doing anything but enjoying the moment and stunning view.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,593

Growth:

This quote really hit me today:

Every atrocity in history began with someone deciding who counts as human.

@ SHARONSAYSSO

Appreciation:

Seeing the path forward, the goal starts to appear. Through the past six weeks it’s been wild to observe the retreat of the fog of war, a clearing of the way. So many steps taken, so many more to go, but the end is both visible and looks better than expected.

Presence:

An engaging conversation with two new friends, opening up, sharing thoughts, and setting a path. Time flew by in a flash as I was in a perfect state of flow.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,592

Growth:

The right people bring out the best in others, which in turn brings out the best in them. Awesome to see in action!

Appreciation:

On our roadtrip to Canada Gavin found an online Catan that we can play online with Dominic when an opportunity arises. To quote Dexter, “tonight’s the night!”

Fun being able to play games from hours away and have a good time together!

Presence:

Had an excellent conversation with my brother today on the drive home. Super grateful for an engaging back and forth largely focused on catching up on what’s going on with our kids, a great time for sure!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,590

Very short one, just got home, time to crash after fifteen-ish hours in the car today (& a total of 40+ over the past four days)…

Nothing like being gone to remind you to appreciate the time you have at home, or sleeping in your own bed, or living your normal routine.

Glad for the experiences we had, grateful to be home!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,589

Growth:

When in doubt, walk. The three of us walked a couple miles from our hotel to the Harvard campus, all over campus, and then back to the hotel. We then walked to MIT, walked all over campus, took a walking tour, and walked back to the car.

Not only was the physical activity rewarding in of itself, but we also had more time together without phones or screens in front of us. So much engaging conversation!

Appreciation:

Three colleges in just over 24 hours (and seven states in one day).

Very grateful for the opportunity to experience each of these schools with Gavin as he starts to decide place he’ll choose to start the next stage of his education. So many conversations on what’s important, finances, and life. Wonderful experience!

Presence:

Gavin and I had the opportunity to have a very deep conversation about privilege, equity, and treating everyone with love. Very much unexpected, but a wonderful opportunity for us to talk and share thoughts and ideas. Great moment, lots of positive and respectful conflict – within ourselves rather than with each other.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,588

Growth:

So grateful for knowing what’s important to me and intentionally choosing an area to live that fits my passions so well! All the urban time today has reminded me how much I appreciate my green space, my woods and bluffs, and my space with less people.

Appreciation:

Seeing Gavin light up at what likely could be his future college was priceless. Crazy to see him as an adult like this, but so exciting!!! I can’t believe we’re doing college visits for him already, he’s grown up way too fast.

Presence:

LOL – nothing like driving through NYC during rush hour to focus one’s presence!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,587 – relatively short one today, long day of driving and an early start tomorrow.

Growth:

I’m planning ahead for the past couple of weeks, this week, and the next couple of weeks I’m finding the additional benefit of being able to maximize what would potentially be downtime thanks to planning my activities for the right moments. Having hours of time available today really helped me wrap up a couple of projects that I’ve had on the burner for a while.

Appreciation:

This one is relatively underrated in my opinion, but it really hits home today. I’m especially grateful for uneventful road trips – especially when driving 14+ hours in one day!

Presence:

Getting lost in an engaging audiobook while driving – always an enjoyable moment of presence!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,586

Growth:

For some reason this quote has been rolling through my head repeatedly over the past day…

Pass on what you have learned. Strength, mastery. But weakness, folly, failure also. Yes, failure most of all. The greatest teacher, failure is. Luke, we are what they grow beyond. That is the true burden of all masters.

— Master Yoda

Appreciation:

So much concentrated energy and focus in one direction over the past 56 hours, another 4-6 to go tomorrow. Then almost a full one hundred and eighty shift for another few days. Reverse, and back the other way full tilt, flip the script again and then finally getting back to normal.

A few weeks of several directions all at once, and then normalcy will return. All good, all doable, but all focused and full speed. Looking forward to getting everything back to the level, but also enjoying the white knuckle adventure in the meantime too!

Presence:

Eating lunch with one of my teams and enjoying the sounds of dialogue and laughter as they get to know each other. So many moments when I sat back and enjoyed!

Thanks!!!