Day 2,125

During our NextGen Leadership Retreat we were fortunate to hear from two Express franchisees. They both shared their life stories with us to help us see all the different paths we have taken to grow into this role. There were laughs, tears, hugs, and so many notes taken. Having the opportunity to hear someone’s real life “origin story” is a powerful thing. So many times we don’t know all the challenges people have faced to rise up to where they’ve grown. As someone who’s shared their story the same way I can say how humbling it is to open up and share all the good, GM bad, & ugly – but yet it is so easy as it is done out of love to help others grow and find their path.

If you were to share your story, what would you include? What are the most important turning points and paths you have taken? Why have they had such a profound impact? In taking time to just sketch it out there is so much to learn about ourselves.

Today I was blessed to hear two incredible stories while also having time to think about my own. So much food for thought!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,124

The alarm will be going off early tomorrow morning. I always do better and feel better during the day if I get my run in early.

Back in the day I worried more about what people would think of me for going to bed early. Now I realize I need to take care of my physical and mental health if I want to be the best version of me.

Ego, so tiny and truly insignificant yet so overpowering when not kept in check.

Time for bed!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,123

Meh. That’s how I’ve felt throughout most of the day. Not bad, not dark, not sad, not frustrated. Just meh. Sometimes I have days like this.

In the past I’d let days like this pull me down. One would lead into another and then another until I was a mess. Even worse, I’d get more frustrated with myself because everyone always says how happy, positive, and upbeat I am. When having a bad day I would (& sometimes still do) struggle with the thought that I’m letting others down. As I type it I know how foolish it sounds, but it is true.

Today I’ve taken a different approach and keep asking myself what can I learn from this? Why do I feel this way? Why am I not a happy as normal? How can I act differently tomorrow to be back where I should be? It hasn’t been perfect and I still feel meh, but I feel better knowing I have a plan to work on for a better tomorrow, a better rest of the week. By pausing to use it as a learning opportunity I can grow stronger through it rather than get frustrated with myself and spiral.

Today was a meh kind of day, and that’s okay. I’ll find a way to make tomorrow a better one.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,122

During my run this morning I fired up some Strumbellas and was immediately jacked thanks to the memories of one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. Each step was a little lighter and my smile a little wider as the movie reel in my brain played the show back. What an incredible time! I can still remember the feeling of the floor shaking as we all stomped our feet and clapped in unison during Wild Sun (which you can check out here – great song!).

The book I’ve been hooked on is one that I’d almost skipped. After reading the description I thought it might be well worth the time to read. As luck would have it Love + Work by Marcus Buckingham couldn’t have come at a better time. Within its pages were a handful of nuggets perfectly aligned with a couple of projects I’m currently working on.

Throughout the afternoon there was an almost ongoing confluence of ideas. Several different tasks I had today all started to line up in very interesting ways. Each seemed to refract the light just a little differently on the other ideas and brought out new perspectives I hadn’t considered. Confluences of ideas like this are spectacular when they happen, everything moves in slow motion and show the connections of so many thought processes. By the end of the day I just paused, took a deep breath, savored the moment, and said a little thanks.

Thanks!!!!

Day 2,121

Something I find very funny is how much I enjoy reading certain fictions over and over again. My brain craves variety in so many aspects of life, for whatever reason I never seem to tire of the same novels. The overwhelming majority I read are one time shots, but there are a number I just can’t quite get enough of.

Sitting in the deck reading during the summer is so peaceful and relaxing. Fresh air, good books, and time to chill. Nice change of pace, especially from the chaos that is our Spring and Fall. Having nights to relax outdoors is exactly what the doctor ordered between those two seasons.

Tonight I was able to put both of the previous two paragraphs together – reading an old favorite while relaxing on the deck. Not too shabby!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,120

This morning I hit the trails of Hixon Forest and got a nice hike in. There really wasn’t a plan when I entered the woods, only to hike. I made decisions on trails once I started walking and am 100% sure I took a route I’ve never taken before. The weather was perfect, the trails largely quiet, and I was enjoying each and every chill moment of it.

After getting some stuff done at home I took a page out of Neil Gaiman’s book and starting writing. Not typing like with my last book, but actually writing using a fountain pen and a notebook. I’ve written before, but writing like this felt so much better in an almost indescribable way. Taking time to think through each sentence slowed the process but improved the writing itself. After knocking out about 1,500 words and getting a great start on my next book I paused to eat. I then types up what I had and was very pleased with the results. Who knows where I take this idea, but the act of starting it felt wonderful. Writing it made the experience all the more pleasant.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,119

Some days are just a bit more quiet than others. Ever since about 12:30 or so today it has been almost silent in our house. I’m flying solo with the pets while Becky and the boys head in other directions for the next few days. Having some time alone in the house is something that hasn’t happened for quite some time. As I think about it I’m pretty sure the last time was one of the times I was working on my book. Regardless, it’s been a while.

Today has been more of a quiet day, a rest day, giving my body a chance to recuperate a bit. Back in the woods and on the trails tomorrow if everything works out as planned. Tonight I’m wrapping my night off as I’ve spent a fair amount of time today, on our back deck. Last night we played family games for a couple of hours out here after eating dinner on the deck as a family. After Becky went to bed the boys and I stayed up a bit longer playing more games. Tomorrow I’ll likely spend much of my time at home out on the deck as well.

The time out here is so chill and peaceful. Yes, I can still hear traffic and other people. The occasional jet goes about 200 feet or so above our house as they drop for landing at the runway just north of us. The birds are chattering nonstop. I’ve got my “Hiking with Distortion” Pandora radio channel on. There is a quite a bit of noise… and yet life is so quiet back here. All is well, all is relaxed.

Ahh.. the quiet of the deck. An oasis amongst the busyness of life!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,118

There are some days when the curveballs seem to scream in one after another after another. The boys had a couple thrown their way today and they handled them very well. I’m very grateful for the way they quickly moved past emotion into logic, focused on the emotions of others, and found ways to create new and better solutions as a result.

Seeing the resilience of our boys makes me happy on such a deep level.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,117

Oh my goodness!!! It is so close now I swear I can almost smell it! One of the biggest dreams on my list is just about complete. When I paused and took a moment to let the nearness of completion sink I almost had a little awesome running from my eyes. The hard work put towards this wildly important goal has almost reached its conclusion. Only a few small sprints and I’ll be there.

What’s also wild today was the very quick and sobering reminder of just how important this project has been to me and how much it has improved my life. The work put into this race has helped me so much more profoundly than I’ll likely ever fully comprehend. Such a positive impact through working through the difficult parts. It seems only fitting that the dream has helped reiterate how much adversity helps us grow as people if we allow it.

Today I’m enjoying the nearness of the finish line while remembering to appreciate the race itself.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,116

One of the reasons I love reading autobiography is the opportunity to see the world someone else’s eyes for a brief moment. My favorites are the ones in which the author really opens up and shares their full mindset and emotions – good, bad, and ugly. The realism they share can be profoundly insightful. So many times I only see and hear about the person through a tiny slice of media coverage. When the true greats really open up my mind is continually left spinning with just how wildly different they see the world.

The most recent book I read was another to add to the list of mind blowing insight.

Kilian Jornet is one of the all time great ultra runners, mountaineers, and sky runners. In this autobiography he shares his mindset into putting everything into attaining his goals and it left me speechless. When I talk about grit it is a very far cry from Jornet’s view. I wouldn’t trade it for an instant, but it is enlightening to learn what it takes to reach the levels of success Kilian has.

If you enjoy running, mountains, skiing, or seeing how far human physical abilities can be pushed, you’ll want to check this one out!

Thanks!!!