Day 2,291

Growth:

Of all the different titles I read last year there was one I read four times in 2022. I thought it only fitting that it become my first book of 2023. Awareness by Anthony de Mello has been on e of the single most impactful books I’ve read in my entire life. Each re-reading brings a new found bit of wisdom to help me live a better live.

One of the many passages that resonated with me today was this:

It’s not that we fear the unknown. You cannot fear something that you do not know. Nobody is afraid of the unknown. What you really fear is the loss of the known.

Anthony de Mello

Appreciation:

I’m thankful for the many ways we all connect in our interests as a family. We each have our very unique interests and hobbies, but there’s some significant overlap on a macro level that helps us all find common ground even when we’re each interested in our own things. What really got me thinking about this today was the recommendation Dominic had for me in a documentary to watch while riding my bike trainer this morning. He knew I have a shared interest in the mountains, especially in the Himalayas, and hit a home run for me! I appreciate the overlap we have in our interests, especially as they relate to the appreciation of the outdoors and nature.

Presence:

In the office today I had a craving for a little snack. There was an excellent supply of candy and other sweet goodies available, all calling my name. One of the things I’m tracking in my 2023 plan is whether or not I cave in to temptation of sweets. I paused, took a deep breath, reminded myself that this was just a craving and not a hunger, and walked away. Those little wins feel so good!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,290

Growth:

So easy to start with big plans, to dream huge, and then suffer and crumble under the weight of too many big ideas. Frustrating to see a huge opportunity but have to break it into small components to build upon each other over an extended amount of time with slack built it.

Fun to try new things for a bit to see what works best. Difficult and pedestrian to do the same simple processes over and over again to get long term inertia going.

My ambitions are big, but my actions must be small and consistent. Slow and steady wins the race, consistency and grit will be the victors every time. Here’s to remembering this in the moments in which my eyes are bigger than my appetite!

Appreciation:

Today I had the opportunity to put a handful of hours into my writing practice and it is 100% because of the support of my family. The reason I am able to create space to do this is because of how hard they all pitch in to cover soon have the opportunity to chase this dream. I am thankful for all each of them did to allow me to stay focused.

I can’t imagine not having a family team like this to help support each other in all of our endeavors.

Presence:

There was a small and very unexpected moment today in which I was one hundred percent focused on the present. I hopped in the car to drive to yoga while Becky grabbed the last of her things to join me. I’m that moment I sat in the car with no radio on, no phone on me, and all alone. It was incredibly serene and peaceful and I enjoyed every second of it. Having a moment left with nothing but my thoughts was a wonderful bonus gift to get me in the mood for yoga.

With all the noise in life – most of it welcomed and positive – the moments of quiet can be profoundly soothing.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,289

Growth:

I’m wrapping up my 2022 reading list and have been very interested in the research project. Breaking down the total number of number of books read (112), the number of unique titles read (104), and the number of different genres read (business just edged out fiction and personal development).

Here’s the biggest thing I’ve learned from reviewing the data…. I read more books this year than in any single year of my life and all that diverse reading has resulted in many new ideas, living a more clear purpose, and more joy.

Appreciation:

The day is one like any of the other 364, yet it holds the potential and promise of a future unlike any of its brethren. A clean slate, a new calendar, unlimited opportunities. So much more magic than other days…

…yet truly no different than the rest. Each day is the first of the present and of the future. Each day of the other 364 holding all the same glittering opportunities of todays date.

Why do I treat them differently? How do I realize that each day is the beginning of the future, all starting in the present?

I’m grateful for realizing the folly of my thoughts and the opportunity to learn and grow as a result.

Presence:

My bed…. Ahh… nothing quite like the sensation of laying down in my own bed while blogging and getting ready to go to bed.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,288

Growth:

In reviewing my book one of the topics that has come up multiple times was remembering I’ll never understand where everyone else is coming from. The version of them I am seeing is a single perspective from my own view point, only a tiny percentage of all that encompasses them.

Appreciation:

This morning we spent a few hours as a family at the tubing hill near Mom’s. We enjoyed some quality time together outside, laughing – and occasionally screaming – together as a family while flying down the hill at crazy speeds. What an awesome holiday gift, creating memories together – and outside!

Presence:

My taste buds totally had the win for a moment of presence today. My brother ordered up an A5 Waygu filet for us to sample for our family get together. By far and away the best steak I’ve ever tasted in my entire life! So good!!! 🤤

Thanks!!!

Day 2,287

Growth:

When in doubt go for a run, or do yoga, or both. Seriously, how many of life’s challenges can be better dealt with after a run or yoga? Even if it is not what o want to do in the moment remember that I am a runner, I am a yoga practitioner, and I can create joy through those two activities.

Appreciation:

This might sound trivial, but I’m grateful for driving during the daylight hours. With travel for the holidays there’s a HUGE difference between driving in the dark versus in the sun. We were able to leave early in the afternoon and it made a tremendously positive impact in my mood today. Sunshine, very much underrated!

Presence:

As I work on marketing my book I’ve been spending time reviewing it to pull out stories to share on social media. I’m going through so many of those most difficult moments I’m still able to extract so many lessons from the memories. My presence in those moments, as painful as they were, allowed me an incredible opportunity to learn through those moments for years afterwards.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,286

Growth:

Funny how the world really helps to grind in the right message sometimes, isn’t it? It’s as if the universe knows we really need to learn something specific so it finds ways to repeat the message in many different formats until we really get it.

The message I’ve needed to hear again and again recently? It’s all about putting in the reps, consistent practice, and a systematic approach to getting it done.

Appreciation:

I’m very thankful for the way Becky and I tag in to help each other out when we’re swamped. Whether it is work or life causing bonus stress or putting additional demands on our time we seem to always find ways to help each other out. The past few weeks have been a great reminder for me of much easier life is for both of us thanks to that shared load. It made all the difference and helped me keep my sanity today!

Presence:

As I re-read my book to pull out stories and nuggets to share over the next months I was quickly lost in a state of flow. My mind went into overdrive as I extracted what will become my media content fit the next quarter.

What really caught my attention was just how many flow moments this book had created for me since I started outlining it on a flight to Seattle five and a half years ago! Diving this deep into the memories and mindset has been wildly more therapeutic than I ever imagined.

Thanks!!!

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!!!