This morning a memory from SEVEN years ago popped up in my newsfeed…

What are the odds that it’s exactly seven years ago today that we went to a Brewers playoff game???

Seeing as it only happens every seven years ago I’m very grateful for Brewers playoff baseball. It’s wonderful to see them playing after the season is over and hopefully making a run into October. Always fun to have a reason to watch baseball in the fall and another reason to shoot the bull with my little brother.

Hoping the Brewers kick some butt and take some names tonight!!!

Thanks!!!

Two years ago n this day I was “Thankful for Taking Quiet Time to Think Each Day.”  As soon as I saw the picture and the title that day popped right back into my memory.  Fortunately I saw this post early in the morning and was able to take action on it today.   Over the past couple of days I’ve finished up one audiobook and moved onto the next.  With the fresh memory of my post form two years ago I paused the recording while driving to Menomonie and just drove in silence for a while.

Much of the quiet time was spent thinking about the work day in front of me and working through strategy for the next few months.  Other time was reflecting on that day 19 years ago when we had the gift opening at my parents’ house and I confirmed that Becky was still willing to go with the “yes” she’d given the previous night for our date on the upcoming Friday (“Yes, fine, whatever!”  Ahh..  the romance was mutual :P).

At one point I was able to just silence my thoughts and enjoy the view around me.  When I shut the “voice inside my head off” I can more clearly appreciated what is all around me.  The leaves changing color on a distant hill.  The contrast of green grass, golden corn, and dark gray skies.  The bluffs with their exposed rock faces.  A bright rainbow arcing across the sky.  All the while the sun would occasionally peek out from behind the clouds and light up the leaves on the trees like a spotlight to more perfectly accent their colors.  So beautiful!  Every moment and view focused on the natural world brought me great joy and I was so thankful to be there experience it.

As I would soak in the world around me a great idea or two would emerge from my freshly uncluttered thought process and show itself.  Before I knew it I’d found answers to many questions and challenges I’d been facing earlier on the drive.  Funny how sometimes I need to remember to take three steps back, breathe, be thankful for all God’s gifts around me, and then the answers start to appear.  I’m so grateful for remembering to take some quiet time to think today!

Thanks!!!

If you scroll through my memories from this day in Facebook you’ll probably notice a trend…

2012: 13 years ago today one of two things happened – depending on your perspective you can choose either:

A) Mike had a beautiful girl smile at him from across a church at a wedding. He immediately knew what he wanted out of the rest of his life & pursued her all night using his incredible charm, wit & intelligence to eventually get her to go on a date with him. On the ride home from the wedding he told his parents he would marry her & knew the rest of his life would be pretty awesome.

 

Every year I can’t help but smile at the memories of this day.  So many dreams started on this day.  The boys are around because of this day.  This day has lead to so many wonderful moments, so much love and joy.  When I think back to all of the days of my life that have been the most impactful this is by far and away one of the biggest.  It remains one of the happiest days of my life.

While the day was great and there were so many things for which I was grateful I can’t help but focus on this one magic moment that has made all the difference and indirectly led to all of the other moments of gratitude today.  Thank you to everyone who made today a wonderful day, and thank you to Becky for seeing some potential in this dude and saying yes to a date.  Love you!

Thanks!!!

Tonight was the night I got my birthday present from Becky and the boys…  an hour long massage from Kelsey at All is Well Massage!  (check her out here:  https://www.facebook.com/alliswellmassageseminars/ )

As usual, Kelsey did an incredible job of taking care of me tonight.  She found all the spots that were tight and loosened them right up.  By the time it was all over I was completely relaxed, loose, and feeling ready to wake up early for a nice long run tomorrow morning.

Every single time I get a massage it reminds me that I need to get them more often.  It’s amazing how different I feel afterwards, how all the stress just melts away.  In some ways it’s kind of like yoga without the work! 😀

Thanks to Becky and the boys for an excellent birthday present and thanks to Kelsey for an awesome massage!

Thanks!!!

At Sales Summit for Express today I was blessed to hear incredibly impactful story from one of Express cohorts. To wrap up the training we had a speaker share some of their stories. In the cases of both I was very moved. Their stories were so different on so many levels, yet they had so much in common.

One’s message was focused on “what am I afraid of?” More specifically, what am I afraid to do or become. Why do I hold on to those fears when I trust The Big Guy Upstairs? If I believe His timing is right, what do I have to fear? Any challenges thrown my way can either be overcome or learned from.

The other message posed a different question to ask myself each morning. “What can I do today to be greater than I was yesterday?” This question leads to thinking constantly of growth and improvement. It’s a reminder that it’s up to me to decide how I will tackle each day… linger and stagnate in status quo or live intentionally.

Both stories keep reverberating in my brain have led to introspection. What am I afraid of that’s preventing me from being my best possible self? What’s one thing I can do today to close the gap between who I am and who I want to be? Its wonderful to enjoy silence to consider both questions as opposed to turning on the radio and just filling my brain with “stuff” to pass the time.

As I think about both questions I also can’t help but be thankful for the two very impactful stories I heard today… and for strength, willingness, and openness of the two speakers for sharing the today.

Thanks!!!

What an awesome birthday it’s been!  I had time with Becky on our early morning run and time with the boys as we all got ready in the morning.  Tomorrow we’ll “officially” celebrate my birthday at home.  The rest of the day I’ve been with my Express family in training sessions, listening to speakers, and celebrating together.  Throughout the day I’ve been reading tons of birthday wishes from friends and family via text, email, and Facebook.  To wrap up the night I took a nice long hot shower, am snuggled in with my laptop, and am calling it an early evening.

On a day like this it seems like it should be difficult to find one thing to be thankful for with so many to choose from.  Sometimes on a day like this I take the easy road and lump many things into one category.  Today, it’s actually pretty straightforward…  I’m thankful for my mom having me.

The appearance of me wasn’t necessarily planned out in advance.  I was quite the surprise for my parents and my tiny little heartbeat had a huge impact on the trajectory of my mom’s life.  Based on becoming a mom she set aside college and her dreams.  Instead she loved me, took care of me, and raised me to be who I’ve become.  She chose to put aside all that she had dreamt to build a future for me in which I could reach my dreams.  From as long as I can remember she’s always reminded me that I can accomplish anything that I can dream of and has always been there to support me.

On my birthday it’s only fitting for me to take time to be thankful for all that Mom has given me in my life…  to be thankful that she gave me the gift of life.  Without my mom I wouldn’t be here.  Without her love and support I wouldn’t be who I am.  Without her encouraging me to dream I wouldn’t have had or reached the dreams I have.  I am me, I am here, and I dream all because of the choices, hard work and sacrifices my mom made for me.  I am beyond grateful for all that she’s given me.

Mom, I love you so much I can’t even begin to explain.  Thank you for creating in me the man I’ve become.  Today really should be the day I celebrate you.  Thank you for all you’ve given and all the love you’ve shared.  Love you!!!

Thanks!!!

Exactly three years ago today I decided to write a daily blog about at least one thing I am grateful for. I can’t believe how quickly the time has flown by! Throughout the day my mind has drifted to memories from all that’s gone on over the past three years. It seems as if I’ve lived a lifetime in these past three spins around the sun… and I’ve never been more full of joy!

Tonight Dominic marched in his first parade. This year he decided to drop the cello and learn to play trumpet specifically so he could try marching band. It was pretty awesome seeing him walk past all of us hanging out at our normal spot!

I still shake my head in a very proud way when thinking about his desire to try new things. He was fantastic at the cello could’ve stayed with it so easily. Instead he found something else he wanted to try, threw caution to the wind, and followed his new dream. How great is that? He inspires me to remember to not get caught in the thinking that I need to go with status quo, that it’s okay to try something new. I’m so grateful to have him around!

Thanks!!!