Today has been one for the ages, a day filled with many wonderful moments, cheesecake, family time, and gratitude.  In general there was a over arching theme of thankfulness.  What an awesome focus for a day – and it’s not even Thanksgiving Day yet!

When becky and I went for a run this morning we talked about the list we would have for the boys.  With them being off of school we knew we needed to have a good list to keep them rolling through the day.  Last night Gavin was even hinting at what would be on the list.  Becky had the great idea to have the boys write a list of 10 places they’d like to visit.  I threw a little twist on it and said they had to make a short PowerPoint presentation complete with pictures to share their lists.

Tonight before dinner we sat down as a family and the boys presented where they’d like to go on vacation in the future and it was pretty cool!  Easy to see that we’ve really instilled the travel bug in both of them.  It looks like they’ll have many adventures in their lives – from Iceland to France to Japan to Nepal to Antarctica and everywhere in-between!

Travel is one of the things that Becky and I treasure above almost all other “stuff,” and it’s so cool to see that the boys are giving it the same value.  On the anniversary of our adventure to New Zealand it seems only fitting to dream big about travel in the future, isn’t it boys?

Thanks!!!

Isn’t the power of attitude amazing? The way I choose to see something really shapes the rest of the experience and how things unfold. In past years I’ve seen our annual planning session as an opportunity to show of my ideas and presentation skills. It was a time for me to show everyone just how awesome I thought I was and how mind blowing I thought my ideas were. I’d dream up huge things and ideas all by myself and use the opportunity to share them as an outlet to prove my worth to myself. When there was rejection or disagreement with and idea I had I’d get frustrated, nervous, salty, and angry. What a pompous and arrogant moron I was! How many times did I have an audience of peers and experts who could’ve helped a ton and saved me from myself had I only listened and asked for help instead of just presenting my ideas.

Fortunately I’ve got a great mentor who’s worked with me on this for several years. I’ve still got a ways to go, but it’s getting much better year after year. I’m eternally thankful for the patience he has had with growing me.

While there’s been continuous improvement over the past few years it feels different in a very positive way this year. Choosing an attitude of a growth mindset has helped me stay open to seeing this as a learning session. With that in mind if already pointed out several faults in my own plans and will be asking for help on how to fix them. I’m also excited to find the flaws I’ve missed that could make all the difference. That said, there’s more to it than just an attitude shift.

This year as we prep for 2019 I had the opportunity to spend most of the day with Nicole. There’s something about working with her that seems to bring out my best. As we walked through all of our possible solutions we were very open, called each other’s ideas out, pushed each other, challenged our thoughts, and talked each other into seeing other perspectives. Not only that, but we did it with a smile! Working together we were able to put together even better ideas than either of us would have had on our own. We both added and edited the strategy until it was truly a mix that was our’s. Even cooler was that we’ve been pulling thoughts and ideas from our teams over the past few months to help us so it’s actually a joint effort of ALL of my teammates. While we’re very pumped to share our ideas we’re even more excited to see how our cohorts help us to improve the strategy for 2019. Were stoked to get their feedback and find more ways to be successful in 2019.

As if the planning itself wasn’t enough fun it was fantastic to be able to walk through the “why” behind our thoughts, often sharing our values and past experiences. We talked about family, work, faith, teams, and everything in between. It was an awesome opportunity to get to know each other better and see our staffing world through someone else’s eyes. I’m thankful for the time that we had to bond and continue to calibrate. It already seems like we’ve worked together for more than the short years that it’s been.

Between a choosing a better attitude and working with a wonderful teammate and friend planning for 2019 has already been an incredibly positive experience. I’m so grateful for my past failures that have led me to this point, a wonderful mentor with the patience of a saint, and a fantastic teammate.

Thanks!!!

Our Winona team started something awesome in our office.  As our applicants and associates are coming in for work or for their paychecks we are asking them if they’d like to jot down something that they are grateful for.  Over the past couple days I’ve enjoyed reading all of the notes.

Some of the leaf notes that I found to be the most touching were:

• “I am thankful for my family’s continuing support as I strive to get my college degree.”
• “Thankful for the extra income to supplement my sss check after my retirement and also to work after my cancer battle.”
• “I am thankful for my family & friends.  I’m thankful for the good Lord above & all he good things in my life.”
• “I am thankful for my family.  I am not sure where I would be without them.  They are my reason for working through Express and for living!”
• “I’m thankful for the opportunity you guys gave me.  I moved up from FL by myself with no job.  I was able to get a job in 3 days.  It helped me pay all my debt so I’m able to live peacefully without that heavy load.”
• “So much to be thankful for.  I’m thankful for my family and the support they give, for good health and weather, to have food in my stomach, clothes on my back and a roof over my head.  Thankful I have a job and money to spend.  Most of all – thankful to be alive!”
• “Thankful for my family in this tough time we are having.  Happy we can all be together for the holidays.”
• “I am thankful that my son has grown out of one of his fatal food allergies.  That most of those in my life are healthy and that those who are not have found answers to they can take better care of themselves.”
• “That my children and grandchildren are healthy!”
• “I am thankful for not being homeless anymore and having a great job to provide for my kids.  I’m grateful for life & blessed that Express hired me at my lowest.  Thank you!”
• “Thankful that I’m almost 60 because it’s better than the other thing.”

And this one got me a little misty eyed and I just wanted to give them a hug:  “I am thankful for my dad.  He is ill.  I want him to be well.  That is all I want.”

I’m so thankful for so many people sharing what they are thankful for.  Their gratitude has had me smiling, thinking, and being more grateful for all in my life.

Thanks!!!

Tonight much of the evening was spent driving the boys back from hunting with Grandpa and their cousins.  When Becky and I first laid out this plan I was less than enthusiastic as it meant that much of my day off would be spent in transit.  Up until late last night I was going to pick them earlier so I could get home and have some time to catch up on things at home.  For some reason it finally hit me that they should be able to spend the entire day hunting and then head home after it’d gotten too dark to hunt.  I’m not sure why it took me that long to come to my senses, but I’m glad I did.

With that subtle change in mindset and realizing that the boys should have as much grandparent time as possible I soaked in the rest of the day with a positive mindset and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  Driving alone meant time to think and listen to some great audiobooks.  Visiting was enriched by not being in any kind of a hurry or on a schedule.  Of all the parts of the day that really brought me joy there’s really no debate as to which will be the most cherished memory…  my road trip home with the boys.

When we took off we spent the first chunk of time talking about hunting and their time with everyone.  That spun into crazy deep conversations involving religion, we talked about equality of all types, and other very weighty topics.  We also spent a lot of time goofing around and laughing.  There were many jokes and times when we gave each other a hard time.  With about 40 minutes to go we fired up the iPod and played DJs for a while.  We each would pick a song or two and proceed to jam out together, even occasionally singing along and not caring how bad we sounded.  Sometimes we’d talk about what we thought of and remembered when we heard certain songs, other times we’d soak in the story of the song, and the times maybe do a little bit of road trip dancing.  It was a blast!!!

This is another wonderful example for me to remember of how much difference the right attitude can help me either see something as a “chore” or appreciate it as an incredible experience.  I’m pretty sure the boys and I will all remember the fun we had on this simple road trip home for quite some time.

Thanks!!!

Last night I received a very cool text message out of the blue from my friend Sammi.  She’d heard a song that a year and a half ago she had suggested I listen to after my dad passed away.  There was a sudden rush of memories and emotions as I thought about my dad.

Several times throughout the day I had memories of hunting with my dad float in and out of my brain.  There were so many happy moments with him in the woods.  Seemingly every time I thought of the boys out with their Grandpa Ken my mind would wander back to those time with Dad.  From getting my first buck to shooting at a huge “bull elk” in Colorado to the laughter when he saw my scorched face on opening day after I’d done battle with my propane heater.  So many wonderful memories that are re-kindled with this hunting season.

While running to Menards I thought about all of the phone calls we shared while I made that same trek in the past.  When I bought something on sale I could hear him giving me a hard time about buying the cheap option.

In my workshop this afternoon I ran into a problem that pretty much spelled the end of a project I was working on, and not in a good way.  I swear I heard his voice in my ear, “deep breaths Mikey, time to take a break.”  Smiling to myself in spite of my frustration I put everything down and called it a day.  Even in that situation when several hours were erased with one small mistake I couldn’t help have a heart full of joy thinking about Dad.

What really did it tonight was a small and simple moment at church.  In the past I’ve talked about the gentleman at our church who looks very similar to Dad.  They have the same head, neck, ears, hair style, and some of the same mannerisms.  As everyone took communion I happened to notice him walking back to his pew.  Just as I saw him he looked at me and smiled…  and then his smile got a little bigger and he waved to me…  just like Dad would’ve done had he been there.  I know it wasn’t Dad, but at the same time I’m pretty sure he was there with me.  I quickly took a seat, drew a deep breath, and held back the emotions lest I started crying in the pew for seemingly no reason.

So many little reminders throughout the day, so many moments of happiness and joy.  I’m so thankful for all of the wonderful memories and moments I had with Dad.

Thanks!!!

Funny how yesterday I talked about spending some time with my friend JC and now today I had the opportunity to grab lunch with another friend?  Can’t wait to see who I get to talk with tomorrow! On a cool fall day like this hanging out with an old friend is like that putting on that most comfortable sweatshirt to keep you warm.

Even though we haven’t talked but a couple of times over the four months or so we were able to jump right back into old conversation.  It was awesome catching up with what she’s been up to, her new career, and what’s coming up in the future for her.  Likewise it was like old times as I updated her on how the offices were doing, what Becky and I are up to, and all that type of stuff.  As we talked it was wild to think about how much time has passed since she’s left Express, yet it only seems like it’s been the blink of an eye.

It’s weird not working with her anymore, but I’m so happy that she’s doing so well in her new position.  I’m thankful for being able to continue the friendship we built through many years of working together.  I could go on and on, or you could just read what I wrote about her a while back when she moved on to Winona Agency – https://thankful4forty.com/2018/06/02/day-613-thankful-for-my-friend-jenn-davis/

Jenn, thanks for lunch, great conversation and catching up, and your friendship.  I appreciate you greatly and am glad that our paths still cross sometimes!

Thanks!!!

Whew, what a whirlwind of a day it’s been! I’m now laying in bed with a full belly ready to wake up early and go for a run before 4:30. I am exhausted, but in all good ways.

Today I had a couple of reminders of a wonderful video about empathy. Though I’ve watched it several times it seems to hit me hard every time I watch it. Seriously, check it out before you go to bed tonight, it is well worth it! https://youtu.be/cDDWvj_q-o8

This evening we had a retirement dinner for Becky’s boss and it was awesome!!! Each round of food was better than the previous and it culminated in delicious airy donuts with lemon curd. I’m totally full right now and my tastebuds are still smiling.

Another great benefit of the night was catching up with my friend JC. We don’t have too many opportunities to hang out and it was fantastic to catch up with him. It’s always great to pick his brain on several topics and this time around I walked away with a couple of TV recommendations, a travel idea, some rekindled interest in genealogy, and some La Crosse history. As always I enjoyed the time catching up with him and shooting the bull. He’s the type of friend I could see a few times a week or once every few years and we’d jump right into conversation like we’d just talked the day before. There’s something pretty sweet about a relationship like that and I appreciate it greatly!

Time for bed for this old guy!

Thanks!!!

 This morning I had a very difficult phone call with an Express applicant.  The individual wasn’t eligible for hire and decided that getting angry and upset would be the way to convince me otherwise.  As he got more and more belligerent he then opted for calling my team and I some hateful things that we are definitely not.  After trying several times to calm him down I was finally left with no option but to hang up on him.  Upon getting off the phone I was so angry and frustrated with him and the way he’d treated my team and I.  For one fleeting moment I allowed myself a pity party and then moved forward with letting it go and moving on.

Earlier this afternoon Cheryl pulled me aside and asked if I would like to hear the story of an applicant who’d just interviewed with Claire, one of our Employment Specialists.  Of course I said yes and met this applicant.  They shared with me that he’d been homeless for the past 110 days, he’d just spent an hour in an interview with Claire, and he was starting a new job tomorrow.  He was over the moon with gratitude and joy and shared how his shoulders felt like a giant weight had been lifted.  We made sure we took extra good care of him after hearing this story and the happiness he felt was obvious as he gave me a handshake and a big hug.  My heart is still full of joy to the point that it’s ready to burst.  This is one of the reasons why I love this career path so much.  To have the opportunity to help and serve others as they face some of the most difficult times in their life is an honor that I appreciate and am thankful to take on.  My teams pride themselves on helping others and a story like this is a wonderful reminder of why we do this.

How interesting is it in the span of only three hours I was able to see the full spectrum?  While I could have allowed myself to wallow in the frustration of the first person and lose faith in mankind, it would have served no purpose and I might have missed out on a beautiful opportunity like this.  Had I not had the difficult conversation earlier would I have appreciated the happy conversation later?  I’m so thankful to have had both conversations in such a short period of time. At the end of the day it’s also a wonderful reminder to me that life will happen all around me.  There is no bad or good to the challenges themselves, just the context I apply to them.  I have the power to choose my attitude on a minute to minute basis – whether being frustrated and losing faith, or seeing the overwhelming positivity, learning opportunity and happiness in the world.

Thanks!!!