Day 2,285

Growth:

What a difference stillness can make in our lives.

With all of the busy-ness of the holidays be sure to create some space for yourself. Not time sitting in front of a screen, but actual space to have quiet and think.

Some of the greatest moments of healing I had after the death of Dad were when I took time to pause in silence with my thoughts. I found great joy and relief in talking with Dad, even though he wasn’t physically with me. One in particular still makes me chuckle when I think about it.

The day after Dad passed I was making the three hour drive up to northern Wisconsin to help make his funeral arrangements. As I drove I kept the radio off and was silent in thought. After a while I started talking to Dad, it helped me work out some thoughts and emotions.

As I was driving on the highway a sign warned me of a “Bump” up ahead. I was going a little fast so I slowed just a tad for the “Bump.” The “Bump” was more like a sudden three inch vertical that I was hurtling towards. My only reaction was to grimace I hit the “Bump” with a solid impact. Just like in a cartoon I was launched into the air and I swear I could feel when all four tires made contact with the pavement again.

After shaking the rust out of my neck I started laughing and looked to the passenger seat. Without taking time to realize Dad wasn’t really there I had tears of laughter streaming down my face and I said, “Dad? Seriously? We’ve got to talk about this guardian angel stuff! You really suck at it!” In that moment I swear I heard him laughing right along with me. What an awesome moment!

About a half an hour later I was about to crest a hill and I felt like tapping the brakes for some reason. There wasn’t anything wrong, no sign, or anything like that, but I felt compelled to slow down a bit. Just as I tapped my brakes a deer jumped out and crossed the road right in front of me. Had I not started slowing down beforehand I would have totally plowed into it.

“That was much better Dad! Thanks for having my back.”

Remember to create space for yourself this holiday season, take time to be still and think. Who knows, you may have an awesome moment waiting around the corner for you if you choose to pause and listen.

Appreciation:

Becky was asked to do a presentation on some of our travels and vacations. This evening we started pulling some ideas together for it and were blessed with an awesome bonus vacation – a trip down memory lane!

We cruised through so many pictures, vacation notes, and state parks maps in a little over an hour. What a wonderful gift to give ourselves, sharing the memories of past experiences!

Presence:

Running outside today felt borderline glorious! The weather has warmed way up without getting too hot and was in a very sweet spot. One other thing that I was very cognizant of that I really enjoyed was the feeling of running on snow. The steps all feel a little different, a little softer surface, and a little less stability. All in all it caused me to pay much closer attention ti each footfall this morning – forced presence!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,284

Growth:

Reaching back over 3,000 years we can still learn lessons through the stories of others. The story of Achilles in the Iliad is very much focused on his ego, his pursuit of Kleos ~ glory. From the words written by Homer so long ago we can learn the tragedy that follows pursuit of immortality, especially through feeding the ego.

Appreciation:

I’m thankful for all of the little reminders of loved ones who’ve passed that flit into life so very unexpectedly. They can be seemingly insignificant, touch on any of our senses, and leave us in a splendid state of joy even as we miss the person we’re reminded of. Each little reminder brings a smile and reminds us of how much we loved that person who’s moved on. So many smiles over the past week, so much love, and so many warm memories.

Presence:

Walking with my family over lunch while making LuLu’s day was a wonderful pause. The sun was shining enough to fight away the chill. Time outside, in the sun, with my family? Yes please!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,283

Growth:

Nick shared a quote at yoga that really caught my attention fits perfectly with my plans for 2023.

Process saves us from the poverty of our intentions.

Elizabeth King

Appreciation:

What an awesome day it has been! It started with yoga with Becky, rolled into family games and walking LuLu, proceeded on to board games with friends, and wrapped up with watching the end of Life of Brian with my boys. Now I’m off to sleep and smiling as I think back on the day – it’s been an awesome one!

Presence:

A song over the speakers at Kwik Trip played a tune that took me way back to the night I asked Becky out on a date. Mambo #5 was one of the songs played at the wedding reception and I still have a crystal clear visual of Becky dancing along to it. It was one of the moments in which her smile completely won my heart over.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,282

Growth:

Gifts of time, presence, love, & shared experiences trump “stuff” every single time.

Appreciation:

Time with family, the best way to spend Christmas Day, no question. As each evening brings Dominic’s college journey one step closer I’m enjoying each moment together more and more. I’m sure we’ll have times with the four of us for years to come, but they will be slightly changed and fewer and far between. The Christmas gift of tonight was perfect.

Presence:

Our drive today provided views I’ve never quite seen the same way as before. The snow and ice clung to the trees and the sun reflected off in just the right way. The entire scene glittered like a crystal forest!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,281

Growth:

One bite at a time. Looking at all that needs to be done as one behemoth only incites panic and anxiety. Break it into smaller pieces and take them one at a time and it feels so much less daunting.

Appreciation:

I’m thankful for taking time for introspection. Over past year I’ve been intentionally focused on thinking more and acting less in order to learn and grow. It’s difficult to open even a small window at times but it seems that those moments may make all the difference.

Presence:

Hiking in the frigid snow covered woods with the sun shining is stunningly serene. Becky and I went on a couple of walks like that today and they were a wonderful contrast to the busyness of a full house.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,280

Growth:

I’m grateful for how Ive started living into my 2023 habits early. While I haven’t followed them perfectly I’ve found some definitely friction spots. These are the times when an unseen challenge gets in the way of living into the habit. This has helped me start to adjust my plan and find ways to better live into the me I prefer to be in ’23.

Appreciation:

So many photos from the past couple of decades. As I get frustrated attempting to sort them out and get them organized I can’t help but realize how fortunate I am to have created so many memories and to have taken so many pictures to bring them back. Some of my favorites have been the seemingly everyday moments which leave me smiling as I see them.

Presence:

Getting lost in conversation with family is always a wonderful way to enjoy the present. I’m thankful for the holidays and the opportunities they provide to spend that time together with the family.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,279

Growth:

Flexibility, adaptability, & resilience. Keys to a fulfilling life. All made so much easier with a growth mindset, appreciation, & presence.

When life gives you a very poor weather forecast make a shift, don’t stress, and go where life is leading.

Appreciation:

I’m thankful for all the work that goes into building strong partnerships. Many reminders of this today, it is so much easier to work through difficulties and challenges when you already know everyone involved is working in the best interest of the other person. Having been in the crucible together allows this to happen seemingly effortlessly.

Presence:

Sometimes a perfectly timed hug is about the best way to be pulled into the present.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,278

Growth:

I went down the rabbit hole tonight. One thing led to another and I quickly slipped into scrolling through old photos. Some were vacations but most were of almost everyday moments. There were so many photographic bread crumbs I left myself, so many awesome memories created with my family and friends.

The growth I’m thankful for tonight is the reminder to take many pictures. Never let the camera get in between the present and me, but also remember the photos I take bring back so many memories later.

Appreciation:

One of our usually annual family traditions is a trip to see the Rotary Lights in downtown La Crosse. So grateful for another year of spending time with our family together at this event!

Presence:

One of the videosI stumbled across was that of the octopus I found (& touched) in a tide pool in Sawtell, Australia. That moment remains one of the most intensely encoded memories in my brain. What a surreal moment!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,276

Growth:

Tonight I’m thankful for a lesson I’ve learned over the years. It’s okay for my blog posts to be short sometimes. I’ve lived a very full day and am now ready crash. Short and focused, yet staying to the discipline.

Appreciation:

Thank you to Renee for referring a book I’m certain to read again and guaranteed to buy for others… The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins

So much wisdom shared so intimately. Loved it!

Presence:

Taking time to breathe is so much more centering than it seems it should be! Take 35 deep breaths, hold my breath with empty lungs for 90+ seconds, inhale deeply and hold for 15, and then repeat two more times. So much focus in such a short period of time.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,275

Growth:

There are so many times when we can see the greatness lying in wait inside another person – even when they don’t quite see it themselves. The greatness is so elusive and shy, it can’t be forced out. Rather, it takes work and coaxing, and even then it has to come out of its own accord. There’s nothing the observer can to do draw it out other than slowly help it see the possibility.

The growth I’m thankful for today is the reminder to not force the issue, telling someone how great they are isn’t the answer. Slow down and help them walk to the conclusion on their own. Provide the opportunities for them to shine, but be wary of pushing too hard.

Appreciation:

Yoga with Becky on a Monday night is just about the perfect way to start a week. With all the different directions we go as a family knowing that we have that time to pause, breathe, re-center, and get a some sweat in to start the week really helps me stay centered throughout the week.

While there were many reasons to thankful today that one is amongst on of the foundational bricks which support the opportunity for those other moments of appreciation. I can’t overstate the importance of taking time to re-charge, focus, breathe, and re-center in my life. Without the calming activities like yoga I am over stressed. Without physical activity I feel flat and not as productive as I should be. Without time outdoors I don’t pause to appreciate the natural world around me. Without some time alone in thought (like when I’m blogging) I don’t have time to focus on dissecting my thoughts and actions. Put all of these together, my yoga practice with Becky, my run outside this morning, and my time blogging right now and I feel so much more full, focused, and on the right track to start the week.

Presence:

My morning run was a bit on the chilly side, but that made it all the more peaceful. There’s nothing quite like running when it’s zero or a little below. The air is so calm and still, it feels more full in some ways. With the new fallen snow there’s also an absence of sound which makes it feel all the more quiet and lonely (in a good way). Runs like this take a little bit to get used to, but once I am ready for them they are amongst the most serene and satisfying runs I ever have. So thankful for the opportunity to enjoy one of those cold runs this morning!

Thanks!!!