Day 3,713

Growth:

We see more of what we look for, focus on looking for that which we can be grateful for.

Appreciation:

An unexpected, completely out of the blue, “thank you for being amazing parents!” A perfect way to wrap up a night!

Presence:

So much fun playing with nieces and nephews, all that was needed were a couple of inflatable balls to create a ton of laughs and smiles. Play is so necessary and so easily forgotten. Getting lost in it today was great!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,712

Growth:

I’m definitely a slow learner, but at least I’m a learner. As I put together a training plan for a new teammate I’ve got every one of my teammates playing a role in their training. Looking forward to seeing how they are all able to share their talents!

Appreciation:

Kind of nice having a bonus Friday but on a Wednesday instead! After making supper when I got home from work it’s been a steady evening of chill, just like a Friday, but now on a Wednesday. I could get used to this!

Presence:

Holy moly – that was a cold run this morning!!! Not really in the big picture, but this was the first truly frigid, icy wind blowing snow in my face at over 25 mph run of the year. Talk about waking me up right away in the morning!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,711

Whew… that was quite the long day. There were a lot of positives, good conversations, progress on a work project, moments of working into purpose, and pleasant time with family. Much to be grateful for, no question.

What’s interesting is that what I am most grateful for is the very thing that was the most frustrating part of the entire day. The presence of it reminded me of just how grateful I am for not having it happen as much as it used to. The minor annoyance or frustration of it today reminded me of what it used tobe like and it reminded me to be thankful that it is not like that anymore.

Several years ago I was driving approximately 18 hours each and every week to get out to each of my offices. The number of miles I put on in that year was ridiculous. The amount of wasted time in transit still makes me cringe. Each time I would drive that far I would come home feeling exhausted, completely drained, and very much frustrated by the lack of progress I’d been able make towards my goals. So much wasted time, so much lost energy, so frustrating.

As I had flashbacks to that year and change today I couldn’t help but be grateful for this experience being a very infrequent one now. So much of my life is improved as a result of not having to travel like that, so much of my life re-claimed.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,710

Growth:

We can’t always be 100%, when we are not, remember to pause and breathe.

Right people will make right choices, surround ourselves with right people.

Don’t want something for someone more than they want it for themselves.

Own the challenges created, learn from them, transform them into moments of growth and relationship building.

Appreciation:

It’s the time of the year to relax a little, bust out a “sweatshirt” book, and relax while reading the old story that has become so familiar that I can almost read it a sentence or two ahead of where I am currently at. Just like the perfectly well worn and broken in sweatshirt it is comfy and warms us up. It’s not the greatest book or the most enlightening book, but it’s a story with multiple layers of characters and plot. When I’m in the mood for a comfortable read this one is a go to – Spin by Robert Charles Wilson.

Presence:

This morning was a beautiful run for Becky and I, quiet calm, starting the day outdoors, together, and relaxed while get some fresh air. This evening we went to yoga after supper, took in a relaxing yoga session, quiet calm, ending the day together, relaxed.

Beautiful bookends to the day with Becky!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,709

Growth:

How little we need for joy, for a sense of peace. Sitting outside observing nature, hiking a trail in the woods, walking with family and talking, relaxing on the couches connecting and sharing stories. So often what will help our soul is actually more of less.

Appreciation:

The boys had s blast at the Packer game together! Is there much better in life than seeing your kids become incredible friends?

Presence:

After our hike Leia and I proceeded to relax and take in all the wildlife refuge had to offer. I honestly cannot tell you how long I sat transfixed, drinking my coffee, watching the lone pelican fish. Supreme presence, lost in all the life surrounding us.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,708

Growth:

Taking time to just sit still, and be in thought. Not working on anything, not pushing towards anything, but just taking time to think and exist. So needed, yet so easy to not do, to push right past, to stay busy. Remember to take that time to ourselves, to pause, reflect, and just be. So looking forward to doing just that more tomorrow!

Appreciation:

It is often easy to forget just how much I learned about home improvement from Dad throughout all my years with him. This morning I went through a closet door repair. We’d never done that together, but so much of what I utilized while making that repair were skills learned through him in other projects. What made this extra clear for me today was when I had Gavin tag in to help me out and I could see the reversal of roles for me. In that moment I was sharing with Gavin what Dad shared with me so many years ago. As both Dominic and I have discussed before he’s noticed just how much those bonus projects skills have helped him out at school and in work. Those skills just keep getting passed through the generations from Dad, I’m sure he’s been smiling the entire time!

Presence:

An afternoon gaming with my sons, having a great time acting like the bunch of tabletop nerds we can be sometimes. So much joking, laughing, and time spent having fun – vey thankful for the bonus time together today! Hearing how excited they were for the game tomorrow was fantastic!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,707

Growth:

Communication makes all the difference in the world. Don’t assume, ask enough questions to know we are on the same page. Pause, ask questions, hear the information fed back, and then move forward. Action without clarity in communication leads to more work down the road.

Appreciation:

Getting the morning run in before work. Talking with Becky during the run and while helping her loosen up a frustrating back muscle. Taking time to enjoy my coffee on the ride to the office. Pausing to savor the sight of the mirror like Mississippi River, so still due to the lack of wind. Enjoying great music in the car, letting my mind wander as I enjoy being present in the moment. Such a wonderful start to the morning!

Presence:

Pausing for a moment to enjoy the memory of a wonderful moment from many years ago with a dear friend who is no longer with us. Remembering her vibrance, her positive impact, and the impermanence of life. The moment was a reminder to me to focus on what is most important in life – living.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,706

Growth:

This quote was an interesting one to me. While the quote is from a fiction, the underlying theory is a sound one, backed by research. The biggest reminder for me is to accept the impermanence of all.

“Fear makes us selfish. The more we fear death, the more we cling to ourselves, our belongings, our safe spaces…to that which is familiar. We exhibit increased nationalism, racism, and religious intolerance. We flout authority, ignore social mores, steal from others to provide for ourselves, and become more materialistic. We even abandon our feelings of environmental responsibility because we sense the planet is a lost cause and we’re all doomed anyway.”

Dan Brown, The Secret of Secrets

Appreciation:

The more I focus in on my goals for the upcoming year the more and more clear decisions seem to be. The more actively I pause to intentionally consider my direction the easier it becomes to say yes to the right things more often and no to the wrong options more often as well. So long as I remove the clutter from around me the and take the time to be silent, to be in thought, the world becomes clearer.

In intentionality I find clarity. By taking time to sit alone in my own room I find that Pascal was likely correct in his assessment of how to eliminate most of the problems in our lives.

Presence:

Going for a relaxing walk after dinner was exactly what the doctor ordered this evening. Bonus outside time. Physical activity after eating. No screens after a day filled with stimuli. Quiet time with Becky, talking about our days. Relaxation in motion.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,705

Growth:

Sometimes I attempt to stay laser focused on a task. My brain naturally goes in many different directions all at one time, keeping that focus is something that I have to really work on to accomplish.

Today I was reminded that as long as I let my mind have a little wiggle room, just a little bit of slack, the meandering it does slowly leads e in the right direction – but only if I keep it on a leash. Giving it a little room to work leads to better thoughts and ideas, while letting it go wild leads to almost the same result as staying laser focused – an okay-ish result. The trick seems to be to allow myself just the right amount of leash to allow for flexibility without getting completely out of control.

Appreciation:

We’ve got our next couple of vacations booked! It’s been a little while since we’ve had one in the calendar, let alone two. Nice having those mini finish lines laid out in front of me, they always seem to motivate me to push a little harder through the ordinary. Vacation and travel are like the desserts after a big meal, they add a little extra awesome to life!

As I keep reading more and more about the adventures of others I can’t help but feel a little more excited to have some of our own ready o rock and roll!

Presence:

Between the snow in Eau Claire yesterday and the light mist and rain in La Crosse the scent of Autumn was strong this morning. I hadn’t realized just how much of an impact the little bit of moisture had on the leaves, bringing out the aroma that always reminds me of being out in the woods up north during the bow hunting season.

Scent seems to be the most often forgotten of the senses, yet when I take the time to notice it I’m always instantly transported back to past memories, always with a smile.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,704

The best way to really learn something is by coaching others on it. In order to do so effectively you must transition from surface level knowledge to a much deeper understanding.

One of the best ways to accomplish a difficult task is by talking about the goal with others. The added peer pressure applied to oneself after making a commitment to others helps to keep us on track.

Put both of these components together and we can more easily grow from a dream to reality – all while helping others. That’s an awesome combo!

Thanks!!!