Day 3,230

Growth:

Our perspective on some aspects of life change greatly as we grow, age, and experience more and more of what life has to offer.  There have been a few books recently I know I would not have enjoyed as a kid, but as a middle aged dude I can totally appreciate now.  I need to remember to not let my past experiences of books read long ago cloud my judgement too much and give more of them a try now.  No one steps in the same river twice, no one reads the same book twice.  In the case of the river both have changed, the book remains but the person reading it is different than the one who read it before.

 

Appreciation:

 Going for a run and seeing this smile was a pretty epic start to the day!

 

Presence:

The beginning of Fahrenheit 451 really struck a chord with me this morning!  I just started reading it as I’d somehow dodged reading it as a student.  For some reason the beginning of the chapter hit me between the eyes and had me totally hooked!  I even went back and re-read a portion of it just to make sure I had read it all correctly, I was so intent on getting all of it that the second reading seemed like the right move.

Day 3,229

Growth:

Interesting how different senses can trigger memories! Today it was a song bringing back some favorite memories from over two decades ago. Earlier it was the cool breeze in the pre-sunrise air that transported me back.

The best way to help those triggers happen is by being present – present in the moment the memory was made and present in the moment it is remembered. Be here now, remember now forever.

Appreciation:

Gotta love the Olympics! The boys and I had an awesome time watching more track and field this evening for about an hour. Seeing the comebacks, the grit, the hardworking, the adversity faced, and the celebration of incredible effort was quite the entertainment. We don’t watch much TV, but catching these events the past couple of nights has led you to some great bonding.

Presence:

My drive to Eau Claire was especially peaceful this morning. It started under dark slate gray skies in La Crosse and ended in a perfectly clear blue sky in Eau Claire. The changing of cloud cover and light caused the greens to be more vibrant than normal. North of Arcadia I drove past a postcard view of a handful of cows grazing atop a small bluff almost surrounded by a small line of trees with white fluffy clouds breaking up the increasingly blue sky.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,228

Growth:

Stretch the brain! It’s a muscle (metaphorically speaking) that gets stronger from being worked. Sometimes this includes working on things we don’t necessarily enjoy, but it helps us grow stronger.

Appreciation:

Today was the last day of Gavin’s landscaping duties at our office, and I kind of want to find more for him to do. Getting all this bonus time with along with so many coaching opportunities has been fantastic. We’ve gotten into more conversations, bonded over books and work, and had so many laughs. While this round of work may be done I’m grateful for the bonus time we’ve had to bond!

Presence:

Watching the new pole vaulting world record get set with Gavin was awesome! Hearing his yell for joy was a moment I’ll cherish.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,227

Growth:

When it feels uncomfortable it means I’m growing, especially when working through a project that I don’t necessarily enjoy, but one that needs to be done regardless. Much of today was a study in staying focused and tenacious on a very detailed project, the success of seeing the progress made throughout the day made it all worthwhile. I still have a long way to go, but closing in fit sure!

Appreciation:

The project Dominic was working on this evening filled my heart. He was curating his dream list, complete with the old notebook I gave him for just that purpose several years ago. Seeing him clarify what he wants to grow into and do, living life proactively, has me smiling from ear to ear! Throw in conversation on what he had in there and it was an awesome experience.

Presence:

Dominic I took a pause during supper to watch the replay of the Olympic Women’s Rugby Finals. The entire bronze medal match with the US vs Australia was intense!!! Couldn’t help but be 100% present watching that one!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,226

Growth:

There’s something about the sound of Paradise by Coldplay that hooks me and brings me along for the ride. By the end of the song I’m pulled along by the undertow. Somehow I missed the following line through all these years of listening to it…

And so lying underneath those stormy skies she’d say, “I know the sun must set to rise.”

What a beautifully useful lyric!

Appreciation:

This evening saw eight of us sitting around the kitchen table for dinner – the four of us, the boys’ girlfriends, and my niece and her boyfriend. So much fun talking, joking, eating, and relaxing together!

Presence:

Gavin and I took off for an hour to get him done additional practice driving a manual transmission. Throughout our time we laughed, we talked, and he learned. I was so impressed with his ability to give himself some grace and continue to learn through practice. That was an hour I’ll remember forever with him – such presence in that collection of moments with him!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,225

Growth:

There’s a peace to be found in simple activities like doing the dishes. When a task must be done remember it is a blessing to have the opportunity to do it, enjoy it. Doing the dishes while listening to the recording of a Coldplay concert was one of the most calming experiences of my day.

Appreciation:

Gavin was working at the office again today and the number of moments we laughed before and after work were priceless! Very thankful for him taking on the yard work, the bonus time on our half hour commute to and from Winona has been awesome!

Presence:

The stillness of sitting on the back deck is so refreshing and satisfying! Last night it was playing games as a family as the sunset painted the sky. Tonight it was reading my book while sitting next to Becky. Time on the deck is so therapeutic!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,224

Growth:

I wrote my blog completely backwards today! This process has led me to adjust my Growth based gratitude to the mindset of being alone.

In the book Oh, the Places You’ll Go Dr. Seuss writes:

All Alone! Whether you like it or not, Alone will be something you’ll be quite a lot.

Spending time alone is something I quite enjoy from time to time. As I grow older I find that quiet time by myself, especially out in nature, helps still my mind and feeds my soul. I love time with family and friends, no question, but I also need to find the balance of together time and alone time in order to be at my best.

Today my balance felt like it was exactly what I needed, and it really came through in my next two sections.

Appreciation:

This morning was in the office long before everyone else and had the entire building to myself. I love my teams, but there’s something about the quiet stillness of an empty office that leads to some of my most productive work. Being able to work without any distraction on a thought based project with some of my favorite music playing as loudly or quietly as I’d like leads to such an easily accessible state of flow.

My entire day was productive, purposeful, and rewarding, the serenity of my soul while working in the quiet was glorious.

Presence:

Last night I wrapped up my evening by pulling up a couple of music videos. When the house is quiet and I’m the only one awake I enjoy diving into a pool of heartfelt and thought provoking tunes.

My musical drifts and tides brought me to this absolute masterpiece. Not only was the music amazing and the crowd of 100+ thousand electrifying, but the addition of a special guest led me to some serious emotion.

Such an emotionally engaging end to my day.

Thanks!!!

Day 3,223

Growth:

Would I rather have this or that? What is the difference in cost? Is it worth working and extra ___ months before retiring in order to have the more expensive version?

This was a conversation Gavin and I walked through earlier today as I shared the camper vans we were considering. It led to a great talk about remembering that our time is what we sacrifice for our jobs in order to have cash. Rather than thinking only of the financial cost we should really consider the time cost. For Gavin this was easily translated into paying for his lift pass to go snowboarding this winter. By working this week he will have more than enough to pay for his snowboarding season – a very fair trade off in his mind. Seeing him mentally walk through this process was so rewarding as a dad!

Appreciation:

Taking Gavin to work with me for the second time in a week was a blast! He’s doing a bunch of yard work around the office building while I work so we ride up and back together. This has provided a bonus 30 minute drive each way. Throughout these extra minutes we have talked about the value of time, where some of my political views come from, his thoughts on a couple of books we’ve both read, planning for his Eagle Scout project, future vacations, and everything else in between. I almost don’t want him to finish up the work on Friday so he keeps riding with next week!

Super thankful for the pockets of bonus time we find throughout busy lives, this week has been better as a result!

Presence:

The weather for this morning’s run was gross! So thick and humid, it just kind of took the life right out of me during the run. The good news is that I made it and finished the run just fine. What’s interesting is that even though it wasn’t necessarily for reasons I would enjoy, the super humid weather helped me stay much more focused and present during my run. It’s not always the good stuff that brings about presence, today was an effective reminder of that! That said, I’m definitely looking forward to my next 50 degree run 😉

Thanks!!!

Day 3,222

Growth:

When in doubt, go to bed early. You’ll never regret it!

Appreciation:

Over the past week we did a lot of work to prep for the start of a new teammate. Today it paid off big time! The first day went amazingly smooth even through some tech support hiccups thanks to the prep work. So thankful for planning ahead and working ahead!

Presence:

During my drive to Eau Claire this morning I pulled over to take in the sight of the valleys filled with clouds, only the bluffs rose above the sea of fog. So beautiful!

Thanks!!!

Day 3,221

Growth:

Thanks to Mark Manson for this nugget to ponder all day…

Develop the ability to be disliked and free yourself from the prison of other people’s opinions.

Appreciation:

This evening we had a family yoga night! Both boys wanted to join Becky and I for our normal Monday activity and by the end we were called out for “an entire family of wheel in the front row!”

What I really appreciate about this is the time spent together and the building of very healthy physical and emotional habits that both boys see as useful and worthwhile. Big smiles all around!

Presence:

While Gavin was working at the office doing some landscaping he fired up 1984 in audiobook form. On our way home we spent some time talking through the book together – an awesomely insightful conversation talking about an excellent and useful book!

Thanks!!!