Day 3,262

Growth:

There is so much noise surrounding us incessantly and it is easy to go deaf to all of it. Be intentional in what we listen to, be intentional in what we block out. So easy to go completely deaf, but so much more useful to listen intentionally.

Appreciation:

Gavin and I have been working on a project together and it’s been fun having the opportunity to spend time working towards a shared goal. We’ve both had to lean into each other’s strengths to help make it work and we’ve been enjoying the grind of it together.

Presence:

Had to soak up a lot of Becky time before she heads out of town for work for the week! We got in a walk, a bike ride, church, a quick shopping trip, and a couple of meals today, all satisfying time together talking.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,261

Growth:

Quite often the best and most full of days leave me feeling completely wrung out and exhausted, but in a very rewarding and enjoyable way.

Appreciation:

Our family hike was spectacular today! So clear, perfect weather, and engaging conversation the entire way. No better way to spend a weekend than outside with family!

Presence:

Twice today Terry’s Song by Bruce Springsteen played and twice today my eyes misted up as I missed Dad. Sad but beautiful moments of presence with my emotions.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,260

Growth:

Reduce the daily commute by 30 minutes each way and there’s an additional hour available in the work day! Working remote is definitely not my everyday preference, but once in a while it creates very effective days.

Appreciation:

Super thankful for my outstanding family doctor today! As always, he’s supremely helpful, very supportive, and has the best of bedside manner mixed with the brutal honesty I also crave. Thanks for always taking incredible care of the boys and me!

Presence:

Each autumn sports season there’s an evening game in which the temperature drops and there’s a little dampness in the air. In the springtime we’d likely be out in tshirts and shorts, but this specific evening comes fresh on the heels of a summery warm week. The shock to our system immediately yanks us into a state of extreme presence… and maybe some shivering. Regardless, it is one of my favorite moments of the year as it is a tangible reminder of the impending start of fall, my favorite season of the year.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,259

Growth:

Over the past few weeks the mindset of intentional living has come up many times. Knowing what’s important to us, setting goals in those directions, focusing energy and effort towards those goals, sacrificing that which gets in the way of that progress, and yet retaining the flexibility to adjust as life throws us curveballs as it always does. Living intentionally towards that goal seems to live to a more purposeful life than drifting along with wherever life seems to go, following the path of least resistance. When we know our goals the paths seem to be so much more clear.

Appreciation:

Another seemingly ongoing theme, always nice sharing dinner and a great conversation with friends! This evening we hit downtown La Crosse with some friends we hadn’t spent time with in over a year. So much fun catching up on the past year, so many laughs, great food, and awesome conversation!

Presence:

As soon as I got to the office this morning I opened up my windows to soak up the fresh air. While I worked in the quiet building before anyone else arrived a wildly serene storm rolled in and filled my office with the sound of raindrops and thunder. Such a wonderful moment to pause, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the majesty of nature – all while standing at my desk in an office. Little pockets of nature surround me, I need only look for and appreciate them.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,258

Growth:

Sometimes we need to be pushed a bit to get outside our comfort zone. Sometimes we need to be the ones who get pushed, other times we need to be the ones doing the pushing. Wisdom is knowing which is appropriate at the right time, grit is following the appropriate path.

Appreciation:

So much fun seeing that moment when someone really gets it! One teammate hit their first day of hardcore activity and they crushed it. Not only did they hit the activity goal, their results were well above what was expected!

Presence:

My drive to drop off Leia before heading to work was a very peaceful ride. I was lost in the audiobook I had on, savoring each word as well as each delicious sip of coffee. Wonderful start to the day!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,257

Growth:

While I wrote about this relatively recently I can’t help but go slightly back to this topic. Again I find my mind savoring the returns of memory dividends. Multiple times today my mind drifted to the mountains of Patagonia, Alaska, and Canada as well as the epic landscapes of Iceland and New Zealand. So blessed to have had the opportunity to visit each, so hungry to get back to each of them again.

There’s a beauty and a magic to each that calls to my soul. Their rocky and lonely landscape are the backdrop to some of my favorite dreams.

Appreciation:

How awesome that so many sports are live streaming today! Due to a client engagement I was unable to attend Gavin’s football game, but thanks to live streaming I was able to watch the game in its entirety. Of course I would rather be there in person, but this was an awesome proxy. Watching his handful of tackles and couple of fumble recoveries was awesome!

Presence:

We had an awesome first day of training with one of our clients today. In diving into questions about their struggles I quickly found my brain laser like focused on our conversation. Rather than going into solving mode I was listening to, taking notes, and quickly connecting the concepts together. Talk about getting into a flow state!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,256

Growth:

Writing down a goal, even in a very simple manner, can really make a big impact in making it become a reality. Keeping it in front of my eyes daily helps even more. At some point I’m almost more motivated to be able to cross it off the list than I was to accomplish the goal initially!

Appreciation:

We hiked throughout Beaver Creek Valley State Park today and I enjoyed every moment of it! Such a scenic walk through a perfect little slice of the Driftless – woods, creeks, rock formations, hills, and everything one can expect in this region. Walking through that park (as well as a handful of others) helps center my mind. I swear I could wander that park for days on end and not get tired of the view.

Presence:

This long weekend has been such a wellspring of relaxation and calm. So many moments of serenity with no agenda, no plans, and nothing that must be done. For sure, this is really not even close to what my ideal weekend is, but once in a while it really helps to focus my mind and remind me to pause and breathe once in a while.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,255

From the point I woke up this morning to the point I’m now typing this blog I’ve been outside almost the entire day and it has felt wonderful!

We took a walk for the dog right away after getting up, hit the grocery store and went to church, and then came home and ate outside. After everything settled we loaded up our bikes and hit the bike trail for a trip that went way further than either of us expected. Once we got home we made supper, ate outside, took the dog for another walk to the dog park, and then proceeded to sit on the deck while Gavin and I played a game and Becky read. All in all, the overwhelming majority of the day was spent outside. Even now as we sit inside the fresh air is rolling in through our open windows.

Days with perfect sunny weather like this are a treasure to enjoy, no question. Having it happen to be on a day with almost no agenda was all the better! More outside time to come tomorrow as we head out for some hiking on the last day of our three day weekend.

Another couple of benefits to being outside today included all the bonus time alone outdoor with Becky and sooooo much talk about how we are going to use our campervan in the future. So grateful for a partner who enjoys the outside time as much as I do (or more)!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,254

Growth:

Memory dividends pay off again! Over the past two days I’ve had several memories of our Patagonia trip slide back to the forefront of my mind. Songs, photos, comments, and a book have all jogged my memory. Not just that one, but so many other trips have also come flooding back. As we talk about where to go with our campervan we’ve gone back to so many adventures.

As we talked on our ride back from the apple orchard Gavin mentioned how grateful he is for the way we’ve taught him to prioritize experiences over stuff. At sixteen he’s already starting to get it.

Invest in experiences for the memory dividends, skip the stuff, only get the gear you need for the experiences… that’s more than you will ever truly need.

Appreciation:

Not gonna lie, being in bed before 8:30 on a Saturday of a three day weekend so we can get an early start on hiking is exactly what my soul craves!

Sleep early, wake up early, walk or hike while the world sleeps. What could be better than that?

Okay, maybe it gets better by adding a twist… doing that all with Becky as we start mapping out future trips, travels, and adventures.

Presence:

The moment my right nostril cleared out completely and I could breathe through both at the same time for the first time in literally weeks…. So invigorating!!!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,253

Today is the final of the string of birthdays in our family over the past ten days. Happy Birthday Becky!!!

What a year 44 has been, so many memories created, adventures had, and so many laughs and smiles – and maybe even a little adulting 😂.

Going through the pictures of Becky from the past year was quite the trip! Literally! I had forgotten all the adventures we’ve gone on in the last year. She went to other continents, a handful of states, a bunch of national parks, and everywhere in between for life and work. We’ve seen the Northern Lights and a solar eclipse. She got a puppy, we sold a boat, and we bought a campervan. We moved a kid home and moved him back out. It’s been wild!

I can’t imagine anyone I’d rather share this adventure with than Becky. Having a day like this to celebrate her and her awesomeness is very well deserved.

Happy birthday Becky! Many miles behind, even more miles, smiles, and adventures ahead! Love you!

Thanks!!!