Day 2,301

Growth:

Over the past handful of weeks I’ve realized how much more enjoyable my days are when I have a solid amount of creative time. Life requires much more than just creativity and I have to remember to appreciate those times as well. If I look to find a hack there’s always a way to add a creative wrinkle to almost anything.

Appreciation:

One of the three lessons I’m reminding myself each day is to not make any huge changes but rather to focus on getting 1% better each day. One step at a time rather than one mile at a time. This has been difficult for me, I’ve got some crazy huge dreams. The dreams give me urgency and I’m reminding myself daily to stay focused on consistency, something I have struggled with. That one simple lesson being in front of my eyes at least two times each day is finally starting to sink in.

Presence:

Taking a couple of minutes in between stacked meetings to close my eyes and breathe really helps me recover and focus. That practice made all the difference today.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,300

Growth:

So easy to forget about all the hard work and repetitions that came before the breakthrough. Afterwards it seems so simple, during it feels almost impossible. I’m thankful for the reminder of appreciating each practice run and also remembering all the hard work afterwards.

Appreciation:

Honestly, I really don’t know where to go on this one tonight, I’m so beyond overwhelmed with joy. So many moments of magic today for so many reasons and so many people. As I attempt to sum it all up there are two thoughts that come to mind.

I’m grateful for the overwhelming feelings of love and support. My eyes are still a little misty from the ways so many came out to share their love support with me today. I am beyond blessed to have so many dear friends and neighbors.

I’m also grateful for the way all people can connect and come together to help each other through the shared struggles of the human experience. We all experience loss, sadness, and challenges. When we open up and make ourselves vulnerable by showing our emotions we have the opportunity to connect with others in profoundly meaningful ways. What a wonderful reminder that love can solve all.

Presence:

Standing in front of the audience at Pearl Street Books this evening…. What an opportunity to be present in the moment. I took the advice of a friend and took a moment to take it all in. Still gives me chills in a very positive way.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,299

Growth:

While each presentation may be different each presentation is practice for the next. My drive after my presentation this morning was spent reviewing my performance and making mental notes did get next. I’m grateful for the handful of opportunities I have to practice over the next couple of months!

Appreciation:

My focus on 2023 goals has helped out in so many ways already. Today my activities were shifted to where my priorities are rather than being shoved where ever the demon named Urgency wanted them. I still wish I had more time but I’m finding ways to make more of the time I have. There were a couple of actions I took today which will move the dial significantly over the long haul while avoiding time drains along the way.

Presence:

Watching a Dominic flying down the ski hill on his snowboard while maneuvering around the gates was quite a rush! There aren’t many things more fun to watch than seeing my boys enjoying something they are so passionate about. His senior year on the snowboarding team started well and I enjoyed all 59 seconds of it immensely!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,298

Growth:

Trying to save a few seconds can lead to losing half an hour if the savings are through deviating from process. There was a great reminder for me today of how easy it is to take a shortcut thinking that it will save time only to have it backfire and cost exponentially more time. So much better to follow the process and to remember that slow is fast in the long run.

Appreciation:

Once in a while days just don’t quite to go the way I’d envisioned. Nothing bad, just everything was off by a half a step or so. There seemed to be a little grit in all the gears so things didn’t go as smoothly as possible. My tasks all seemed to take 10% more time than they should. Everything was just a little off – even this blog isn’t quite going the way I wanted it to. Hmm…

Here’s what I am thankful for today. I don’t have many days like this. The overwhelming majority of the time it seems everything runs much more smoothly. I am grateful for days like this being in the minority.

I also appreciate the opportunity to learn and grow through days like this. I’m able to pull apart reasons why it is going as it is and how I can prevent it in the future. I’m practicing how to keep my emotions level as I work through it. Ultimately, it is a test for me to pass, an opportunity to show myself if I’ve really learned and grown as I hoped I have over the past year.

Sure, I hope tomorrow is a little more well oiled, but I’m still appreciative for the opportunity to work through a rusty day and to have the reminder of how fortunate I really am.

Presence:

While practicing a presentation I have tomorrow I paused and took a quiet moment of emotion for myself. The scene I was driving through was picturesque. I felt extremely close to Dad based on the nature of what I had been working on. My mind was a little run down and needed a pause. I put all of those together and enjoyed a quiet moment of emotion.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,297

Growth:

I know, I sound like a one trick pony recently, but I’m amazed at how much Awareness has impacted my view. More so than I can remember I’m pausing and reviewing my thoughts and actions as a third party observer and learning more about myself.

Most often it is the way my ego needs to be stroked or how my thoughts don’t take the positive view as quickly as I’d like. On a positive note I’m catching myself starting to listen a little more and talk a little less.

Appreciation:

The boys and I really don’t watch much TV, but there is one show we’ll slowly work through together – Alone. 10 contestants survive alone in a difficult environment and see who last longest with minimal gear and no human contact. We enjoy learning more about outdoor survival and ways we can amp up our camping game.

What I enjoy most isn’t the show, it is the time with my sons, talking, joking, learning, and appreciating our shared passion for the outdoors.

Presence:

On our run this morning Becky and I became keenly aware of the direction of the light breeze. The wind came out of the south west and was a little brisk. The sensation of the very cool air on my legs felt really good for some crazy reason and I enjoyed it more than I should have. Those same legs and cold also brought me another moment of presence when they started to thaw out and almost felt a little burny. 😉

Thanks!!!

Day 2,296

Growth:

I had a very profound realization today while hiking. At 46 years old I am not nearly as smart as I thought I was when I was 23.

Appreciation:

Dominic helped me with buying and installing new headlights and windshield wipers. Nice to enjoy more of those father son moments while we still have the opportunity for them! Struggles, successes, researching, troubleshooting, and joking all while smiling and laughing together. Awesome memories to make today!

Presence:

I really should take better notes throughout the day as there was a moment which seemed very meaningful at the time which has faded (at least for the moment).

The views on the hike Becky and I took today were amazing! The snow, the ice, the frost, the bluffs, & the trees. Outstanding!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,295

Growth:

Win or lose there’s always an opportunity to learn. Choose to grow from the challenge and you always win regardless of the result.

Appreciation:

Trust the process. It’s as easy as that. When the strategy works just follow it and trust it. No need for nervousness, put in the reps and do the work as necessary.

I spent a few hours today working through the creative process. What really struck me was that by following the process I was able to better lean into my creativity to script the right message. Today I’m grateful for all the work that came before today to help create the process.

Presence:

There was a moment right out of a winter scenes greeting card when Becky and I walked LuLu today. The snow and frost covered much of the landscape and the sun was just starting to come up in an orange hue in between the branches of a dark green pine tree. Truly awesome.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,294

Growth:

Timing is everything once in a while. Today I had a moment in which I was almost the best me I could have been and it was almost all due to the reading of Awareness recently. I had just finished it before that moment and have already doubled back to re-read it afterwards.

Appreciation:

There were a few moments today in which I felt I was living into my purpose. The satisfaction and joy felt during and after those experiences were priceless! Each day I’m tracking the happiness of my day on a scale of -2 to +2 to help me bring awareness to what really energizes me. The feeling of purpose has pushed today into a +2 day.

Presence:

I’m grateful for starting and ending each day with intentionality by reading my 2023 Plan. Those couple of moments of focus are helping me keep my most important goals top of mind by priming me mentally. Those focused moments of presence and intentionality have led me to increased presence with my family and friends.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,293

Growth:

Focus and process really take work. After wrapping up last year with a dose of Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport I’ve spent many moments pausing and catching myself as I turn to my phone and computer to allow me a distraction – usually without realizing I’m doing it until I catch myself in the act. Definitely more to work on, but I’m already seeing signs of progress. Awareness of the action is one of the most powerful ways to start to make the change.

Appreciation:

As I continue to prep for some of my upcoming author talks I’m continuing to be surprised a just how many stories and nuggets of wisdom I put into my book. Each time I dive in to find a story to use I end up finding about four or five that are on topic AND get distracted with another two or three future topics. Maybe it’s just me or maybe it’s a writing thing, but after I sent it off to print I actually felt kind of underwhelmed with the final project. I kept wondering if I put enough in or if I did justice to my time during the experience. Now I’m feeling much better about the finished project, these types of deep dives are helping me see that there is a lot worked into it. Funny how that works, isn’t it? I felt very confident about it until I shipped it, then I felt as if it weren’t good enough even though I had received very positive feedback, and it wasn’t until I started to really dive back into it almost six months later that I finally saw it as a solid work again. Definitely a good thing to remember before as I write my next ones.

Presence:

This has been one of the most scenic winters I can remember! This morning there was another fresh coating of snow in all the trees. My drive up to Winona was spectacular! So much snow in the early morning darkness causing the entire world to be awash in a black and white view. The colors of brake lights and traffic signs really popped due to their contrast with the black and white tones behind them.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,292

Growth:

When we use labels on others we see people only as the labels we put upon them. This mutes our ability to see them as their true selves. As an example, I saw Dad as “Dad.” As he lay in the hospital I was quickly introduced to Dad “the brother,” Dad “the friend,” and Dad “the church parishioner.” So many versions of Dad that I never really took time to see because I only saw him as “Dad.”

How often in life do I see only one facet or version of a person? How many times would my life and theirs both be enriched by seeing them in totality?

Definitely something for me to continue pondering and working through, the removal of the blinders of labels.

Appreciation:

Over the past couple of years I’ve witnessed such a circularity of leadership. Yesterday was my 23rd anniversary of joining Express and I’ve been asked several questions about my career which have had me waxing nostalgic. As I think back to where I began and then contrast to where I am there’ve been two very striking observations.

First – there’s still so much to learn, even after 23 years.

Second – the circle of leadership is incredible to see. Like many things in life it’s difficult to see it looking forward, the best views are when connecting the dots looking backwards. I’m finding myself having the same conversations but from the other side of the table this second time. So many excellent words of wisdom I’ve received from so many strong mentors in the past, their words now coming out of my mouth to help others. I am beyond honored to have the opportunity to share their wisdom and to pass along their legacy.

Presence:

There are so many nuggets intertwined into the stories in de Mello’s Awareness that I can’t help but be 100% present in the moment as I read the book. As I read it over and over again there’s more and more depth to be found within its pages. There are some pieces to thought provoking that I’ve learned to pause the book to truly be a sponge to the concepts. Here’s the one that caught me today:

“Pleasant experiences make life delightful. Painful experiences lead to growth. Pleasant experiences make life delightful, but they don’t lead to growth in themselves. What leads to growth is painful experiences. Suffering points out an area in which you have not yet grown, where you need to grow and be transformed and change. If you knew how to use that suffering, oh, how you would grow!”

Anthony de Mello, Awareness

Thanks!!!