Tag: Happiness

Thankful for Appreciation, Being Alive Today, & Conversation and Pumpkin Rolls

Day 3,658

Growth:

Such a perfectly eloquent quote by Ray Bradbury in Fahrenheit 451:


We have everything we need to be happy, but we aren’t happy. Something’s missing.

Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

This quote coupled with a couple of recent articles and a podcast or two really hit home. In so many ways we each already have everything we need to be happy – maybe joyful is the more appropriate term. We could feel fulfilled with all that we have in this present moment if we choose to. Instead we allow want / desire / greed / fear / envy get in the way and cloud our judgement, they block our gratitude.

Should we choose gratitude we have all we need right now in this present moment and in every present moment moving forward. When we try to sate our hunger for more by buying more we only push ourselves further from joy.

We have everything we need to be happy, but we aren’t happy. Something’s missing… Appreciation for what we have.

Appreciation:

As one of my teammates put it this morning as we talked about a book we are both reading based in the mid 1800’s based in the American Southwest and Northern Mexico:

“This book makes me grateful to be alive NOW as opposed to any other time”

No kidding!!! When we think of the challenges we face daily and then compare them to that specific timeframe and location I’m also grateful for being alive now as opposed to then, no question!

One of the reasons I enjoy the occasional historical fiction is the ability to see times long past through the eyes of today. Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy is staggering in its ability to punch me in the gut over and over and over… and this is the second time I have read it!

What also really blew my mind today was learning how much of it was based on real life people and their stories! It is nothing short of ridiculous to think we used to be at such a different place as a people and culture.

Nice to pause and be grateful to be alive now, today.

Presence:

Nothing like a surprise visit from a friend bearing a batch of pumpkin rolls to start off a morning in the office!!! Thank you so much to Trissa for an awesome conversation AND delicious treats to boot! There may have been a few more than a few during the day, maybe one or two on the ride home, and definitely more at home. Always fun spending time catching up with some of the people who’ve left an onngoing positive impact!

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

Day 1,989 – Thankful for Sharing Many Moments of Joy, Love, and Beauty

What a fulfilling day on so many levels. Seemingly around each corner was an opportunity to grow, to love, to support, to help, or to feel incredible sense of purpose. Not everything went as planned, but even the things that didn’t happen as expected presented opportunities for beauty, love, and joy.

When I stopped at Caribou Coffee to pick up some drinks for my team I was presented a new opportunity. The cashier was hearing impaired and smiled and pointed to the whiteboard. This was a first for me and it was an experience I’ll never forget.

Without spoken language we communicated the order for six drinks with various intricacies. We laughed together at various times, helped each other through hand motions, and shared so many smiles together as we proceeded through the transaction. At one point when she was trying to help me answer a question she resorted to wrapping her arms around herself and acting like she was shivering. “Iced!” I proclaimed with glee and a giggle. It was amongst the most pleasant and joyful customer experiences I’ve ever had.

As a writer and speaker I’m a huge fan of words to communicate. In many ways they are the tool of my trade, my most trusted implement. With the inability to use them it was interesting to see how quickly we were able to adapt and still make a connection. At a deep and primal level it helped me see that we are all truly wired for love.

There were so many other moments which touched my soul. Receiving coaching from teammates, listening to friends, seeing how past mistakes were translated into learning which was passed on as wisdom. Seeing how different we all are as people and yet how perfectly similar we all are. Recognizing our shared anxieties and helping each other through them. Realizing a profound sense of purpose in both helping others and in receiving help. Sharing in our humanity, sharing love and joy even in, and especially in, moments of pain and frustration.

If today were my last day upon the earth I would go into the next completely peaceful and knowing I’d spent much of my last day of this life witnessing the beauty, joy, and love we are all capable of.

Thanks!!!