Day 3,575

Growth:

17 hours seems like a long day of driving, and it is. No way to sugar coat it. That said, it is 100% doable with the right people along with!

Appreciation:

The adventure begins! An interesting coincidence that I just finished a book about adventurous road trips, started another book about adventurous travel, and am now on the road doing the same. Here’s to breaking out of the mold of everyday life!

To quote Thoreau:

It is remarkable how easily and insensibly we fall into a particular route, and make a beaten track for ourselves. I had not lived there a week before my feet wore a path from my door to the pond-side; and though it is five or six years since I trod it, it is still quite distinct. It is true, I fear, that others may have fallen into it, and so helped to keep it open. The surface of the earth is soft and impressible by the feet of men; and so with the paths which the mind travels. How worn and dusty, then, must be the highways of the world, how deep the ruts of tradition and conformity!

Presence:

The conversations about life, the exploration of new places, the quiet calm of highway hypnosis. Each moment a gift.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,574

Nothing like an upcoming vacation with no cell coverage to focus the mind on making sure absolutely everything is caught up and completed!

My brain was in overdrive as I left home a little after 5:30am and got home a little after 5:30pm. Still have a few hours to get done tomorrow but then it’s go time! The extra productivity today felt great!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,573

Growth:

Today held great reminders that tools help do the work, they don’t do the work on their own. Tools also don’t always work as intended, one must stay vigilant in using them. Very helpful, but not perfect.

Appreciation:

Hmm… many different potential directions today! I think I’ve got to go with the two in one that made my soul sing today. So rewarding to hear our sons dreaming up big ideas. For Gavin it was a “next summer job” idea. For Dominic it was a future adventure idea. I’m both cases I can’t help but be so pleased and proud that they dream big and focus on their passions.

Presence:

Working with a team of upbeat, positive, happy people – couple of especially awesome moments today!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,572

Growth:

Remember the impact we make. Positive or negative, we will never truly know who and how we impact the lives of others.

This point was really brought home to me today as I heard the story of Rick Ridgeway being inspired by Jim Whittaker’s National Geographic cover in 1963, Conrad Anker being inspired by Rick Ridgeway’s National Geographic cover in 1979, and Alex Honnold being inspired by Conrad Anker’s National Geographic cover in 1998… who was then on the National Geographic cover in 2011.

Appreciation:

A quiet night sitting on the couch relaxing with Becky. Nice to enjoy some chill with no agenda and no adulting! So grateful for an opportunity to kick back and relax!

Presence:

As I continue to read Life Lived Wild by Rick Ridgeway my thoughts have often drifted back to my trip to Patagonia. I was only there a short period of time, but it left a magnificent impression upon my soul. Today in particular my mind kept going back to this photo…

What a moment it was!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,571

Growth:

When in doubt, go to yoga, read a book about someone who’s done something you love, spend time with a loved one, get exercise, focus on your breath, take care of the hard thing that needs to get done, relax, take a nap, and enjoy a glass of water. Any single one of those activities deployed at the right time can bring so much more joy than one would expect.

Appreciation:

Dominic headed back up to The Cities last night, Gavin took off up north for his adventure at “Camp Grandpa” this morning. Becky and I got our normal run and morning routine in before work, and then after work was a little test run of what life will likely be like in about 13 months. We were able to eat supper early and right after work. We had time to chill before yoga. We had our usual Monday yoga date night. We came home, relaxed for a little bit and now I’ll be heading off to bed nice and early. If this is empty nest life I think it’ll be okay 😉

Presence:

A bright red sunrise this morning as we wrapped up our run was exquisite! Coppery red, it lit up the sky and sent sunbeams between the clouds and lit up the haze.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,570

Growth:

Three sets of hands are better than one! Work when so much more easily with Gavin AND Dominic helping out.

Appreciation:

Working on the deck has been an excellent opportunity to work with Gavin, today we had some bonus help from Dominic! We had fun, made memories, and were productive. There were some mistakes and challenges, but in the end there were solutions and smiles. So grateful for the opportunity to work with them both!

Presence:

Another day of being outside hiking and then being outside working, great day all around!

That said, this moment on my morning hike with Becky was pretty epic. A spectacular view from atop the Great River Bluffs State Park.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,569

Growth:

There were so many moments in which the roles were reversed for me today! Gavin and I spent a great chunk of time building the stairs for the deck, hours enjoyed in the garage and outside as we tackled a project that was relatively new to both of us. I was reminded of all the time spent working with Dad while simultaneously creating new memories with Gavin – a wonderful combination!

Appreciation:

Nothing like pulling this relic off the shelf when I needed a reminder on how to measure and cut the stair stringers for my deck! This book was seemingly always within arms reach of Dad when he would work on projects. So many years later it was great busting it back out and sharing it and the stories I have with it with Gavin. So many memories!

Presence:

So many jokes and laughs as we built today, I honestly don’t know where to start!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,568

Growth:

The best time to start a healthy habit was yesterday. The second best time is today. Choose the one we have control over.

Appreciation:

Going to bed exhausted from a week day started with hiking with Becky, followed by watching Gavin pole vault, then a lunch with Dominic and Caitlyn, chased by a small dash of downtime, then finished by hanging out with friends – I’m exhausted and ready to crash in a very awesome way!

Presence:

Spending time with friends, talking about nothing important, laughing, and just enjoying each others company – priceless!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,567

Growth:

Take the time to knock out the project completely, just get it done and feel the stress melt away. Tonight that project was packing for backpacking, almost complete and so much less stress!

Appreciation:

So glad Dominic mentioned this book again, such an incredible read!!!

https://www.audible.com/pd/0593557069?source_code=ASSORAP0511160006&share_location=player_overflow

This is my second reading of it and I can’t begin to share how powerful, dream provoking, and emotion invoking this book is. Highly recommended!!!

Presence:

Meeting two people in real life for the first time, the two of them meeting each other for the first time as well, and it feels like old friends having lunch after not seeing each other for a while. Cannot begin to express just how excited I am for the future after that conversation!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,566

Growth:

Simple is better. Follow the process. Remember the intent of the purpose. Stay focused. All lessons I was reminded of today.

Appreciation:

Today I was reminded of the power of turning off the phones, locking the doors, and taking time to pause and think – without distraction. So much of our work lives are harried, we need to pause to process all that has happened around us. This was a very different halftime than in all of my years with Express, and dare I say one of the most successful. Solid on so many levels, great steps for growing forward. None of it would have happened had we stayed rooted in the busyness of the daily routine.

Presence:

Taking a moment at the start of my day to watch this little dude outside my window!

Thanks!!!