Growth:

Appreciation:

More learning this week than I ever would have asked for, definitely more professional discomfort than I have had in a long time. There are times that shape use, they cause quakes so deep through the core of us that we are remain changed afterwards, but often as a furnace smelting. What follows is closer to closing the gap.

Presence:

So many conversations in so many directions today, all leading in different paths but all convening in the same destination. Each conversation focused and present, leading to deeper introspection.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,322

Growth:

Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want.

Randy Pausch

Appreciation:

Some days just really suck. The day itself isn’t the worst, it’s usually the culmination of many moments finally reaching a zenith – not that that concept helps anything. Regardless, there’s a specific moment or situation which overshadows so much of the rest of the day, something that just sucks.

In those moments I am grateful for remembering to mind the gap and choose growth, appreciation, and presence. Find a way to grow through this – how did I get here, how did this happen, what can I do to prevent it in the future. If I can grow through it I can find a way to be thankful for the situation regardless of how much it sucks – it is an opportunity for growth. Be present in the moment – don’t hide from it, downplay it, or ignore it. Soak in the pain and the hurt, let it hurt so much it moves you, in that moment there is growth to be found.

Part of today sucked. I’ve soaked it in and will grow through it. Tomorrow will be a new day, today will still have sucked, but tomorrow has an opportunity for growth.

Presence:

A well timed humorous story from my little brother – exactly what I needed.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,321

Growth:

Spend time with right people doing the right work and in the right way. When all those pieces are lined up the magic happens.

Appreciation:

Driving ninety minutes to Eau Claire for work today provided an excellent opportunity to think. Rather than reading like I normally do I took the time to think in silence. It was an extension of yesterday, working through several potential options to determine best solutions. In some ways I’ve pushed myself to read a certain number of books and have sometimes allowed that to push me to read when I would be better served taking the time to think instead. Today that 180 minutes round trip was exactly what I needed to get my brain in the right place.

Presence:

When you get into a flow in which all parties are most concerned with getting to the right answer rather than worried about ego – priceless!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,320

Growth:

Talk through the challenge, say it aloud, get feedback from others, consider, re-think, pause and process, and then write out the plan. So many steps help to zoom out, zoom in, get past emotion, and hone in on the true issue at hand. Shooting from the hip can be interesting and is sometimes necessary, but methodically working through a problem will likely provide better results.

Appreciation:

Today I created more space and stillness for myself than normal. In working through large challenges I have a tendency to focus on small tasks in order to feel productive as it provided a sense of instant gratification and allows me to avoid a difficulty. Today was an exercise in the opposite, a day focused on one specific set of challenges which must be overcome. Much time writing and sketching out possibilities, quite time walking through it all, focus on going through the possibilities of each solution. While it is not solved, due to the time spent on it I can better understand it and have better strategies for moving forward.

Presence:

My brother left an amazing voicemail message for me today that still has me chuckling…

In my time of need and desperation there’s only one set of footprints in the sand…. because you didn’t answer your phone.”

My Brother

Thanks!!!

Day 3,319

Growth:

Everything happens exactly as it is intended to happen, the goal is to find the why hidden behind it and learn from it.

Appreciation:

Handful of ways to go on this one today, I’m a little stumped as to where to go specifically. Hmm… kind of an interesting way to go at this, but let’s say I’m grateful gif clarity. Quite often the path forward can be a bit clouded and confusing, cheers to the times in which the paths laid out are crystal clear!

Presence:

Yoga tonight was amazing! It’s been a few weeks since my last time and it was better than I’d remembered. Slowing down the mind to focus on breath and movement being in sync, exactly what the doctor ordered.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,318

Growth:

It’s okay to not be okay. Sometimes I need to give myself a little more slack and allow myself to be frustrated, nervous, and everything but the normally upbeat and positive person I am. Sometimes life is rough, it is okay to acknowledge that. It doesn’t mean that everything is falling apart, just that there are likely some lessons I have the opportunity to learn and some challenges to overcome. Deep breaths, figure it out one step at a time. It’s okay, don’t stress yourself out more by stressing that you are stressing. It’s okay and it will all work out.

Appreciation:

Time at home feels great, especially after traveling. Sure, I was busy with odds and ends throughout the day, but it really felt great to be at home. The bits of relaxing in between activities felt pretty sweet too!

Presence:

Outside time in the sun while listening to an audiobook while working on the campervan and mowing was exactly the down time I needed. The bonus time walking with the boys and watching the end of the Packer game together was also greatly appreciated moments!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,317

Growth:

Stress is legit, it must be acknowledged. It’s not a sign of weakness, it is the sign of a difficult challenge. Yes, there will be discomfort and suffering, but if I remember to mind the gap and choose growth, appreciation, and presence it can be a blessing in disguise. Don’t hide from the stress, soak it up and drink it in. This is where the growth happens. Accept it, work through it, stay in it.

Appreciation:

Having a morning in the woods with the boys and Becky is some of my favorite time in my life. No phones or distractions, so much conversation, intentional presence, a shared passion for the outdoors. If I have nothing else in life the memories of moments like these will warm my soul through anything.

Presence:

This moment in the woods with my family during a hike today:

Thanks!!!

Day 3,316

Growth:

Remember to appreciate the friends who love you enough to tell you when you are wrong. They’re willing to put themselves into a place of discomfort specifically to help, that’s a gift they are offering.

Appreciation:

Sometimes music helps to unlock a part of our brains that may be a bit closed off. Today I listened to the song Beautiful Pain by Eminem a handful of times as it really nailed where my brain needed to focus. In repeating it over and over I kept catching different lines that hit home. I may have even found a few candidates for my theme for my 2025 plan!

But every day is a new learning curve as you steer through life
Sometimes you might not wanna swerve but you have to
to avert a disaster, lucky no permanent damage

Marshall Mathers

Presence:

Work has been extremely stressful as of late. This evening I realized I needed to create some space between work and spending quality time with my family. In order to do so I set a timer for 20 minutes and laid on my stomach across my bed made the decision to choose to not think about work until early Monday morning after the 20 minutes was up. It was a wonderful 20 minute gateway to move myself from one mindset to the other.

Thanks!!!

Days 3,309 to 3,313 – copied and pasted from the Notes app I wrote them in on our trip.

Day 3,309 (Friday)

Growth:

There may not be such a thing as over preparing, but there’s definitely is such a thing as over packing!  I don’t need to be prepared for everything, only the probable things.

Appreciation:

Backpacking has a knack for reminding me how much I love backpacking!  I swear it is one of the activities I seem to fall more and more in love with each time I do it.  This trip has already been more of the same.  Unplug, uproot, and get outside. 

Presence:

Being back in the Grand Canyon with Becky, more precious to me than almost anywhere else due to the importance of this place to her.  Experiencing the majesty all around us while having it amplified by her emotion is priceless.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,310 (Saturday)

Growth:

Re-re-reading Fahrenheit 451 in our tent as the rain drops litter patter above.  

“…for how many people did you know that refracted your own light to you?  …How rarely did other people’s faces take of you and throw back to you your own expression, your own innermost trembling thought?”

Appreciation:

Throughout hiking and backpacking there is a focus on what surrounds us.  Today I was amazed by all that wasn’t which normally would be.  The lack of stress, the lack of electronic stimulation, the lack of presence, and so many other things.  While the outdoors all around us blows my mind, the vacuum and silence of what is missing is deafening and sublime.

Presence:

Exploring a place which is new to us got our very first time, the feeling of awe as one is surrounded by stone sentinels towering thousands of feet above.  Our hike today was breathtaking, each corner leading us to new majesty.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,311 (Sunday)

Growth:

Preparation starts long before the event itself.  Look ahead, consider options, test out strategies, have a few contingencies, put in the reps.  That is preparation.

Appreciation:

The sheer magnitude and scale of the Grand Canyon is mind boggling!  Seeing a cliff we started hiking on 4,000 feet above and 20+ miles away from where we viewed it today twisted my mind in some crazy ways!

Presence:

Watching the setting sun cast shadows and change the colors of the Grand Canyon with Becky.  Stargazing in the Grand Canyon, seeing the Milky Way, watching headlamps work their way up the wall, and catching a shooting star with Becky.  Vacation with Becky enjoying the outdoors, priceless presence.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,312 (Monday)

Growth:

Mentally gird my mind for the cacophony of “real life” when I re-enter from the forest.  In the woods the quiet calm leads to serenity, the harsh wake up call of the noise of society rattles my filings.  Be ready to go from silence to noise, don’t let it spoil the chill.

Appreciation:

The feeling of exhaustion that kicks me in the butt after an epic vacation.  Tired as all get out, but thanks to an awesome reason.  Happy to feel this worn out in pursuit of living intentionally!

Presence:

In a quiet moment we can connect so well with others, even if we don’t know them well.  Pause, listen, and be present – the presence is felt by both.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,313

“You haven’t really been anywhere until you’ve been back home.” Terry Pratchett 

Tonight I’m thankful for coming home.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,315

Growth:

Cold showers are a great source of awareness. Sometimes we get the news we need to hear and it feels like that cold shower. Definitely not comfortable, but the instantaneous awareness we need.

Appreciation:

When in doubt go outside and run or walk! It always leaves me feeling better and more energized. Everything in the world seems more possible after getting up and getting out moving. Twice today it did the trick for me, looking forward to getting outside and moving again tomorrow.

Presence:

The smell of fall leaves while walking in the sun as the cool breeze blows across my face.

Thanks!!!