Tag: gratitude

Thankful for Heeding Nudges, a Beautiful Quote, & Connection

Day 3,146

Growth:

Sometimes opportunities present themselves at seemingly inopportune times, but we feel compelled to take them regardless of logic. those “nudges” seem to never fail to produce amazing results when heeded.

By taking on an opportunity to do some training I stumbled upon a powerful. well timed, and much needed focus on self reflection. To built this I needed to pause and look back over the past 20ish years to observe the results of actions and inactions without emotion, rather with the scalpels of logic and reason. Through that process was discomfort for sure, but also smiles of past successes and so many opportunities for growth and improvement. There are so many ways in which this has helped me more clearly see the gap between who I am and who I am called to be.

Had I passed on this opportunity I would have had more time to focus on other things – busyness which will still need to be attended – but I would not have had this opportunity to learn and grow. What a gift it has been!

Appreciation:

This might sound cheesy, but there’s a quote which has been bouncing through my soul thru the past few days. In many ways it sums up so much of what I am most grateful for this evening.

“Pass on what you have learned. Strength, mastery. But weakness, folly, failure also. Yes, failure most of all. The greatest teacher, failure is.

We are what they grow beyond. That is the true burden of all masters.”

Master Yoda 😉

While the source may be a bit too much for some, the sentiment and truth of the quote cannot be overstated.

How much brighter is the world if we all choose to help each other be better than ourselves? By helping to raise others up we create joy for all.

Presence:

That moment went you know that you are exactly where you are meant to be and doing exactly what you are meant to be doing, and a part of something much bigger than yourself. It opens the mind to ideas of how much we could all accomplish working together, sharing openly, and living into who we were meant to be. Today’s Express Leadership Academy training was a moment which will continue to inspire me to remember the beauty of “we” over “me.”

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Antifragility, Sitting Quietly in My Room, & Hanging with ELA Family

Day 3,145

Growth:

The concept of Antifragility has really been hitting home for me. Funny how the combination of examples from the actual book didn’t quite sink in fully, but these ongoing nudges have kept coming from so many other sources. I’m pretty sure Taleb’s book , Antifragile, has been referenced in no fewer than four books I’ve read in the past six months!

Here’s the concept in a nutshell. Many things are fragile. If I drop a coffee mug onto stone it breaks. It is fragile.

A stainless steel Yeti might survive the fall as it is durable. That said, it doesn’t get hurt, but it also does not get better due to the fall.

Something which is antifragile gets better specifically because it was hurt or broken. In so many ways humans are antifragile – it is in discomfort and frustration and challenge in which we grow stronger. Consider weightlifting, the lifting of heavy weight cause micro tears in the muscle which then heal stronger than before, thus they get better due to the break.

In so much of our lives we avoid discomfort, but quite often that avoidance stunts our growth. We also actively work to prevent those we love from experiencing discomfort, which often hurts them more in the long run.

A note to Future Mike – lean into the discomfort! Help push others towards discomfort! Remember though that discomfort is good, but don’t let them or yourself complete break being repair

Appreciation:

All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.

Blaise Pascal

Many years ago I was introduced to this quote and it has rocked my brain ever since. It is so easy to stay “busy” and not take the quiet time needed to think.

Honestly, I think that is one of the reasons I’ve been blogging like this for the past 3,000+ days… it is a self enforced daily ritual of sitting alone with my thoughts to pause and process the day and all of its experiences.

In preparation for tomorrow’s presentation I’ve had to spend time alone with my thoughts and my old journals as I sift through past experiences which have led you to today. All of that time focused on reflection and introspection are so different from the usual chaos filled days of hard work. I’m taking this time to reflect I’m also seeing so many opportunities to grow into a better version of myself. Had I not put this training together so many of these insights may have been lost to the future.

Here’s to taking the time to pause, reflect, and sit quietly in my room (which I’m literally doing right now).

Presence:

This evening I was blessed to have dinner with some of my favorite people, some of our Express Leadership Academy (ELA) family. So many insightful conversations, sharing of stories, and so many laughs! While I don’t have many opportunities to hang out with them IRL like this I’m amazed at how quickly it feels like I’m hanging out with old friends who get me and accept me as I am. For reals, it feels like I’ve known them all for many years. What an awesome start to my quick trip to OKC!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Living Intentionally, Sharing the Experience, & Three Minutes of Awe

Thankful for Living Intentionally, Sharing the Experience, & Three Minutes of Awe

Day 3,115

Growth:

So much of life is about intentionality. When we choose to pursue our purpose and to create our path we have the opportunity to live into our best lives. This doesn’t just happen, this means we must determine what is most important to us and then create the life in which will lead us there. Approximately seven years ago Becky, Gavin, & I intentionally chose to keep this date reserved to watch the solar eclipse in its totality. We took action, we planned ahead, we put it on the calendar, and then we navigated a handful of very unexpected surprises – including a tornado taking out the AirBNB we’d reserved well over a year in advance. I’m so thankful we chose to live intentionally into this dream!

Appreciation:

I can’t even begin to put into words just how mind blowing the eclipse was today. So thankful to have had the opportunity to share it with Becky and Gavin (too bad Dominic had college classes today!). This experience is one that the three of us will share forever. So grateful for taking the time away to witness this!

Presence:

My mind is still struggling to comprehend what I experienced this afternoon. Anticipation and excitement were running at an all time high as the last little sliver of the sun slowly disappeared. In an instant everything around me changed, the sun disappeared completely and instead was replaced with a black circle surrounded by a circle of white which shown unlike anything I’ve every seen or dreamt in my entire life. Around the rim of white there were the occasional bright pink dots of solar flares dancing. It was so beautiful and truly awesome that I was moved to tears. Never in my life have I experienced anything quite so surreal as that moment. Although it lasted for over three minutes it felt like only seconds. That image of those three minutes will be imprinted in my mind and soul for the entirety of my life (and likely then some).

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Planning and Luck, National Park #32, & a Stream Crossing

Day 3,114

Growth:

Nothing like early starts and some good old fashioned luck! Between getting up and moving early and pure luck our timing today was impeccable. We were able to easily find a parking spot at the trailhead. We lucked into a parking spot at the next trailhead. When we went out to eat there just happened to be one table open.

Sometimes it is s about planning ahead and being early. Other times luck just seems to make things work out. Here’s to both!

Appreciation:

National Park #32 for Becky and I is in the books! Cuyahoga Valley National Park was much cooler than expected! Between the hills, the streams, and the rock formations there was a lot to see in our day of hiking. It was definitely very busy due to the upcoming eclipse, but very much worth the trip.

Exploring the rock formations at The Ledges

We’re now just over halfway to our goal of visiting them all 😄

Presence:

I think my favorite part of our hike today was a small creek crossing. The stream bed was a slate like rock and it was carved into the bottom of a small valley. A large rock outcropping stood sentinel over it, and there were trees all around. So peaceful and serene.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Investing in Memory Dividends, Iceland, & a Spectacular Moonset

Day 3,096

Growth:

Continue to invest in experiences to create “memory dividends” over buying “stuff!” My buddy, Mike, turned me on to Bill Perkins and his concept of investing in experiences which create meaningful memories which pay dividends many times over throughout our lives. So many additional smiles and so much bonus joy came from savoring memories today! Experiences like travel are truly the gifts that keep on giving!

Appreciation:

In going along with the above, I’m beyond appreciative of the trips we’ve made to Iceland. The topic of Iceland came up on a few separate occasions today and the last inspired a trip down memory lane through photos from our times there. I can’t begin to put into words what a beautiful country it is, and I’ve only seen less than a third of it!

Iceland appears in my dreams so frequently – both while I’m asleep and awake. So grateful for the experiences I have shared there and looking forward to going back in the not too distant future.

Presence:

This morning’s run had a special guest star, a gigantic and spectacularly dark orange moon slowly sinking into the bluffs. On our way out we got to watch it slowly drift down to the horizon as it continued to grow in size. Almost every breath taken on the first half of our run was pointed towards the majestic sight on my left. As we neared our turn around point it slipped behind a group of trees and looked like a supernatural fire glowing in the distance. Such wondrous beauty to start the day!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Maximizing Impact, Stories and Journaling, & Heightened Presence

Day 3,045

Growth:

What is the one thing that would make the biggest impact? If there was only one thing to focus on in a given situation what would give us the greatest traction? How could we leverage that one piece the most while ignoring or minimizing the trivial which may be disguised as important?

Over the past week my thoughts keep coming back to this. I usually try to enact several solutions and add new things in an effort to improve a challenging situation. I’ve been reminded of a story working with Dad when we were remodeling our kitchen and he taught me the power of thinking about the one most important point to focus all the energy – when he easily moved something I’d been sweating and busting my butt on for well over fifteen minutes.

With that mindset the world has looked very different today. I’ve paused, considered, and thought through some challenges to find the most impactful piece of the equation. Once I found it I’ve started working on it to move the dial in a positive direction and I’m seeing fairly quick and significant progress.

What a wonderful reminder for Future Mike – pause to make sure you are focusing on the one most impactful thing. You can’t do it all, not all action will have a return, put all the energy in one unified direction rather than spreading it out.

Appreciation:

Tonight I’m grateful for two similar but different things – journaling and stories. I’ve been reminded several times of how important they both are to my life recently.

Journaling is such a simple yet powerful way to organize thoughts and experiences. The memory of a journal is flawless so long as we populate it immediately. Having the ability to “time travel” back to a specific day and re-live something important and relevant to our lives is priceless. Taking the time to unpack an experience and apply thought to it also helps us process the world around us and our experiences in it so much more deeply.

Stories have the power to ell us exactly what we need to hear from the safety of being 10,000 feet away while being packaged in an easy to open box we can carry with us for years to open and re-experience when we need it. A simple parable will stick with us in ways that bare wisdom will not. 

Both of these tools have been of huge benefit to me recently and I’m grateful for them.

Presence:

Throughout the day my awareness has been at a higher than normal level – and I haven’t done anything to force it. I’m not sure if it has to do with getting a better than usual night of sleep (quality and quantity) or with the solid action plan for the day or the mix of several different activities which all hit on different strength sets. From my run to work to my lifting to dinner at home to yoga to riding with Gavin while he drove on a spare tire for the first time I’ve been tuned in very well. Not sure how to replicate it, but thinking the more I pause to be aware of presence the more well grounded I will be more often.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Choosing Appreciation, Shared Appreciation for the Outdoors, & a Max Bench Attempt

Day 3,013

Growth:

One of the lessons I learned throughout the past 3,000+ days is that it is possible to be grateful for pretty much anything, including the totally mundane. Spending time cleaning the floors was pure medicine for the soul. It was a specific task, one with a clearly defined objective, something to be completed with the work of my hands. Whatever I task in front of me, I can choose to be grateful for it should I choose to view the task through the right lens. Gratitude is chosen, not a result of a joyful activity or moment, gratitude is the conscious choice to find joy in any situation. When I’m frustrated, bored, annoyed, or not fully engaged I always have a choice to make – be thankful for the task, no matter how mundane, and joy will follow.

Appreciation:

This morning Gavin and I took Leia out for a walk after our weightlifting practices. He was acting a little off and kind of bummed. After a short distance he apologized for not being in a talkative mood. I gave him some space and asked if he would prefer silence or me talking without expecting a response from him. He chose the former so I occasionally mentioned things I was noticing in the woods (the squirrel tracks, the eagle calls). Within ten minutes we were laughing, joking, and also enjoying moments of quiet stillness in the woods. As we were wrapping up the walk I heard him make a huge sigh of satisfaction. 

“Life is just better and easier out in the woods, isn’t it Bud,” I asked. He resoundingly agreed and shared his gratitude for taking additional time outside.

We spent the rest of the walk in peace, joking, talking, laughing, and enjoying the sights around us. Joyful, calm, at peace, appreciative.

Whether or not this specific moment will stick with Gavin for the rest of his life, it will with me. That sigh he made. The realization that the woods often has what we need to heal our souls, to ease our troubles, to help us remember to pause and appreciate the life we have. I am so grateful for that moment he experienced, and for the reminder it was to me. Dad and I shared several moments like this when we spent time together in the woods, I’m glad to have shared moments like this on to my sons as well. 

Presence:

While lifting today I decided to push myself a little further than normal. In between my normal sets I decided to see what I still have in the tank for my bench press. I loaded up the bar and hit it as hard as I could… and I surprised myself with my ability to put the weight right up! I’m sore now, but in the moment it felt amazing to push and strain to get the bar back up. Nothing else existed in the world outside of my effort and breath. One focused moment of exertion, amazing!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for 3,000 Days of Gratitude: Lessons Learned and Beyond

Today marks an incredible milestone—3,000 days of introspection, appreciation, and growth. As I reflect on this remarkable journey, I’m compelled to share the invaluable lessons these daily reflections have bestowed upon me.

The Genesis of Gratitude

It all began on September 29, 2015, a decision to pause, reflect, and document at least one thing I was grateful for each day. What started as a year-long commitment grew into an integral part of my life, shaping my perspective and mental landscape.

Embracing the GAP: Growth, Appreciation, Presence

The ethos of Growth, Appreciation, and Presence became my guiding compass. Through daily musings on personal growth, moments of profound appreciation, and the power of being present, I’ve nurtured a deeper connection with myself and the world around me.

Top 10 Lessons from a Million Words

  1. Daily Practice Builds Consistency: Small, daily goals culminate in significant achievements. How can we harness the power of consistent, incremental efforts in our own lives?
  2. Create Space: By minimizing “dead time” and dedicating moments to reflection, I found ample time for gratitude amidst the hustle.
  3. Reflection Soothes the Soul: In silence, clarity emerges. Time spent introspecting has been invaluable in navigating thoughts and emotions.
  4. Give Myself Grace: Imperfections aren’t stumbling blocks but stepping stones for learning and growth.
  5. Journaling is Timeless: These daily entries are a gift to my future self and loved ones, an autobiography woven with gratitude.
  6. Appreciation of the Mundane: The mundane holds profound beauty when seen through the lens of gratitude.
  7. Proactive Gratitude Creates More: Actively seeking moments of gratitude amplifies their presence in our lives.
  8. Appreciation in Adversity: Choosing gratitude amidst life’s storms empowers resilience.
  9. Appreciation Creates Intentionality: Observing recurring sources of gratitude helps shape a life aligned with joy and purpose.
  10. Choose Growth, Appreciation, Presence: This triumvirate fuels an upward spiral of fulfillment even in life’s toughest moments.

The 11th Lesson: Endless Gratitude

There’s an abundance of gratitude in the world waiting to be acknowledged. It’s not just about seeing these moments; it’s about pausing to embrace and appreciate them.

Embracing Choice and Intent

Amidst life’s uncertainties, our response remains within our control. Choosing intentionality, growth, appreciation, and presence allows us to bridge the gap between who we are and who we aspire to be.

Join Me in This Journey

To all who have supported this odyssey, your encouragement has been the wind beneath my wings. As I look forward to continuing this voyage, I invite you to share your own stories of gratitude and embark on this journey together.

Let’s choose joy. Let’s choose gratitude. Here’s to 3,000 days and the countless moments of appreciation that lie ahead.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Mike

Thankful for Goals, an Awesome Bad Movie, & Cards with Gavin

Day 2,991

Growth:

Goals are wildly helpful tools to help us grown and improve – most of the time. I sometimes struggle with balancing a goal for the sake of being a goal with the essence of what the goal was intended to create. For instance, one of my goals in 2022 was to read over 100 books. I crushed it, that’s a success, right? This year that wasn’t a goal and I have had more days like today in which I have a balance of reading, some quiet time to process, some focused thinking time, conversations, and some musical relaxation. Having the mix today seemed more rewarding than the hard core focus on reading last year, but without the extreme focus on the goal of reading 100 books in 2022 would I have had built the habit of reading so much that in an “off” year I would read well over 50 books?

Maybe it is something to consider on a moment by moment basis. Which is more important in this moment – achieving the goal for the sake of achieving the goal or missing the goal but living into the intention of the goal?

Appreciation:

Guilty pleasure time! One of my favorite movies is totally a bad movie in so many ways, but the redeeming factors of it make it one of my most frequently watched movies. Yes, like books, when I find one I like I go back to that well over and over and over again. This morning I fired up the TV while getting my bike ride in on my trainer in the living room.

The movie? Point Break. Nope, not the original 1991 version starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze (although I really enjoy watching that one too). I am talking about the Point Break of 2015 with an IMDB rating of 5.3 on a 10 point scale (btw – Ernest Goes to Camp earned a 5.5 rating). So I am for sure not talking about one of the greatest cinema masterpieces of all time here.

Here’s the deal and why I am such a huge fan. There is a strong focus on the importance of being outdoors. There are so many beautiful locations used in filming and each viewing reminds me of why I have a passion for travel, especially outdoor vacations. One of the themes is very stoic in nature – we control our choices and how we respond to life. The action sequences involve actual stunts like the squirrel suit scene which had never been done prior to this movie. Throw in a struggle between who is actually the protagonist and antagonist and it has a bit of everything.

Sometimes we can pause to appreciate something that is less than perfect. For me each watching of Point Break leaves me smiling, thinking, and dreaming of future outdoor escapes. Honestly, it motivates me to get off my ass and do something. Whether the move is rated 5.3 stars or 9.3 stars (The Shawshank Redemption – THE BEST of all time) it can be enjoyed.

Presence:

I’m now typing this section almost an hour after the rest. Just as I wrapped up the previous section Gavin asked if I wanted to play some cards. Yessir, you bet I would! We then spent almost an hour talking, playing, joking, & listening to music. Pretty epic end to the day!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for It’s a Wonderful Life

Thankful for It’s a Wonderful Life

Day 2,267

I can’t begin to count how many times I’ve watched the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. Sometime around the holidays it ends up getting played in our house, just like clockwork. Each time I start to watch I kind of groan a bit and halfheartedly look for a distraction. Tonight Becky fired it up and I found myself gravitationally pulled towards the living room to watch it with her. Even though we didn’t finish the movie tonight due to a band concert it seemed worthy to write my blog tonight around the theme of It’s a Wonderful Life.

Growth:

No one steps in the same river twice. Today I was reminded of how the same concepts land differently with the changes lived through life. There were different spots resonating more deeply than ever before, just as other things had done in each of the past viewings. What I’m impressed by most is the ability of the movie to capture so many common emotions at so many different levels. Each time watching it is like a whole new experience

Appreciation:

As mentioned above there’s always something a little different that hits home each time I watch It’s a Wonderful Life. Based on a handful of reasons I’ll keep to myself on this one I was almost sobbing she I caught this short scene…

What incredibly powerful words those are below the picture of Pa Bailey. The words are never spoken, just shown in the bottom corner of the screen for only a few seconds, and can be so easily missed. Blended with emotions building over the past couple of weeks and my mind and heart have been stuck on this concept all night. What a gift this movie still gives after more than 75 years. A dozen words, a lifetime of wisdom.

All you can take with you is that which you give away.

Presence:

There’s something special about sharing emotions and tears with a spouse / significant other / loved one. More than once we both sniffled together and caught each other looking to the other for emotional support and validation of our shared feelings. Knowing that we are in tune with each other at such a deep emotional level is a profoundly powerful sensation.

Thanks!!!