Day 3,150

Growth:

This specific quote from Neil Gaiman really summed up one of the reasons I enjoy blogging.

All too often I write to find out what I think about a topic, not because I already know. – Neil Gaiman

Quite often I start with a spark of an idea and it fleshes itself out as I type. Sometimes the entire destination changes as well! Taking the time to write out my blog provides the opportunity to focus on the topic, to breathe life into it, to set it free, and see where it grows to.

Quick aside, tonight’s Presence section is such an example of. Never would I have dreamt of sharing the detail, but it just seems so right, it is the magic which created the moments of presence. The idea was scratching to get out and I’ve now loosed it on the world, my apologies 😉

Appreciation:

Hmm….

Do I write about the wonderful walk in the woods this morning with Becky and Leia as we listened to the birds?

Do I write about the reminder of how much more full life is when I am outdoors and have a focus on appreciation?

Do I write about sharing a life learning experience with Dominic as we went grocery shopping?

Do I write about remembering the story of the monk carrying the woman over the stream to help me stay focused on letting go rather than carrying something?

Do I write about putting in a new exterior door, getting frustrated, having the boys help me out, remembering that I am setting an example for them, and the calming myself down – which leads to a near perfect installation after much frustration earlier?

Do I write about the time chilling with Gavin playing a couple of epic games as we talk about nothing in particular?

Do I write about going to bed early to start the week right?

Hmm…

I guess I just blogged about it all.

Presence:

This evening I went to a very different yoga session than usual, this one was a sound bath. We stretched out and moved a little before settling in on our mats to breathe and focus as the teacher created a very enlightening soundscape.

Prior to starting she advised us to not look up to see how the sounds were made, rather to stay focused on only the sound with our eyes closed. I’m so had I heeded her advice as it added a special twist to the meditation, adding the theme from many myths of a loved one leaving the underworld with you, but if you look back before you’re all the way out you’ll see them for only a second before they dissipate back into the underworld. I was so close to looking up a few times but knew the sensation of peace and chill would vanish if I looked.

It also felt as if I’d somehow cheated Sleep as the group around me all slumbered (the person next to me was snoring in a very pleasant way). The King of Dreams crept around scattering seeds of dreams amongst the sleepers and I had to stay extra calm while pretending to sleep elsewhere he’d jettison me from waking to sleeping and the experience would shift from a memory to a loosely braided dream meant to come undone. If I remained hidden from his sight I could enjoy soaking in the secrets of the world between sleep and waking. Such wild thoughts running through my brain!

The entire experience was at a very different level from that which I am used to. Aside from the engaging imaginations and complete sensation of calm there was another bonus. All of reality seemed more real and tangible afterwards. My sense of presence was heightened and I savored the feel of walking on sidewalks with bare feet, the subtle scent of rain, the sounds of the birds. All around me life was very much the same, yet do much more vibrant as I was more alive in it. What a gift!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,149

This is definitely going to be a short one, I’m exhausted!!!

The day started with a 5:45 wake up, an almost 3 mile run to yoga with Becky, an hour of vigorous hot yoga, and then a run back home.

It continued with a ride to Milwaukee with Dominic to spend time with my brother, my mom, and their families at the zoo and included Dominic and I walking around the river walk in downtown Milwaukee. Throw in a couple of big meals too!

Then it was a long ride home with great conversation and music, and now bed.

A crazy busy day, a very full day, and one filled with joy.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,147

Growth:

Review while it is still fresh in my head, full post mortem within 48 hours. Amazing how much detail I can pull from if I act quickly yo save myself hours of work later.

Appreciation:

Much of my work today was focused on helping me fine the road. Future based days never quite seem urgent, but they are so important and really help create more success than the normal “busyness.”

Presence:

Taking four minutes to completely savor this gem this morning:

Thanks!!!

Day 3,144

Growth:

How much more joy would there be in the world if we all felt we were enough, if we did not have absurdly high expectations of ourselves, and were grateful for all we have been blessed with? The mindsets of growth, appreciation, and presence can power us all to joy in our lives, yet so often we allow ourselves to be distracted by lack and fear. The keys to joy are all around us, we need only choose them.

Appreciation:

Sometimes the best learning comes as a result of living through difficult situations. In the midst of the frustration it can be difficult to focus on what we’re learning, but if we choose a growth mindset we can often learn more than we’d thought possible through the adversity. This is especially true of times when we have the benefit of hindsight to connect the dots after the fact.

Presence:

Nothing quite like the presence found in yoga! This evening my brain was focused 100% on a combination of my breathing and the bead of sweat slowly rolling down my face. There’s was nothing else in the world except those two sensations for a fleeting moment of extreme stillness and presence.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,143

Growth:

When the going gets tough and things go wrong the same qualities are needed to win through as they were in the past — qualities of courage, resourcefulness, the ability to put up with discomfort and hardship, and the enthusiasm to hold tight to an ideal and to see it through with doggedness and determination.

Sir Edmund Hillary

Appreciation:

So much appreciation for all moms today – mine definitely included!

Today I’m also incredibly grateful for my sons having such an awesome mom as a role model, inspiration, friend, coach, teacher, and mentor. Their lives are so enriched by the countless number of ways Becky has impacted their lives.

Presence:

Nothing like the joy of being outdoors and moving on a sunny day in May (& likely any month 😉)! Today Becky and I got a nice walk in the woods early to give Leia some exercise and identified sixteen different types of birds (thank you Merlin app!). We got a wonderful family hike in during the afternoon. The evening was wrapped up on our deck as we read. So many awesome moments outside today!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,142

Growth:

Thank you YouTube for helping me with another lawnmower repair today! Nothing like the confidence of knowing I have all the answers I will likely need in a device in my pocket to help me take a deep breath and calmly start solving the problem.

Appreciation:

This evening was a first for us – dinner as a family with a couple of significant others along with. The boys each brought someone along and we had so much fun interacting with everyone. It was a little awkward at first but we all seemed to get over it quickly. So surreal to experience a family dinner like this, but also so much fun. So glad we were all able to get together like that and I’m looking forward to doing it again soon.

Presence:

I’m still glowing over the moments and memories shared last night as we watched the northern lights! Seeing them as a family. Driving to the park on the end of the island to see the spectacular purples and pinks and greens. Walking for hours with Dominic while looking up. The random conversations with strangers who were also taking them in. The incredible sense of shared awe. Awesome!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,141

This, right here, shared with my family:

More details to follow tomorrow, time to crash tonight!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,140

Growth:

Each day, each interaction we have with others, we have a choice in the attitude we exhibit. Will we choose to brighten the lives of others or allow stress and frustration cloud our conduct? Today held several reminders of the exponential increase in joy when we choose smiles and love.

Appreciation:

One of my favorite religious leaders often reminded us that joy was NOT the same as comfort. There were several reminders today of how important it is that we each want something more for ourselves rather than someone wanting it for us. While we often see potential and opportunities for others they may not see it in themselves. We can help lead them to it, but it is ultimately up your them. If we push and attempt to help them too much we do not allow them the space and growth they truly need. We can choose joy for ourselves, we can choose action in an attempt to bring joy to others, but it is ultimately up to each individual to choose joy for themselves.

Presence:

While working on changing the drive belt of my bandsaw and tuning it up I had a few moments of extreme frustration, but I chose to laugh them off and let them go. I heard the voice of Dad reminding me to take a deep breath and the next thing I knew I was smiling and thinking back to my awesome memories of Dad. Life doesn’t always go as planned, but we can often leverage the unplanned into joy, it just takes a conscious decision to do so.

Thanks!!!