We spent Saturday visiting my mom in Sioux Falls. She is at Good Samaritan Nursing Home. 2 of her great-grandchildren were there, so it was a perfect time to be able to get a 4-generation picture. It is safe to say we made her day. It was a fun day, and my brother Rich flew in this weekend from New Mexico to spend the weekend too. She was really happy!
Do you know how hard it is to get everybody to look at the camera, especially when one of them is 5 months old? I had to keep rubbing her cheek to get her to look ahead! Well, tomorrow it will be a day for Tessa! She is going to be baptized. We were originally going to do this in December, but there was a big snowstorm then, the only one we have really had, especially for Tyler MN, so we had to reschedule to now. I am really looking forward to that as well. I may be biased, but she is a cutie, and always smiling!
She had a great time looking at everybody and taking it all in. Her brother Connor was all over the place, and playing like crazy with all of us!
Family! Is there really anything else more important? We met them in Brookings and then took off to Sioux Falls. Connor came running out of the car up to me yelling “Grandpa Dan!” and wanted me to carry him in the restaurant. Of course, I was more than happy to do that! What a fun weekend. These grandkids are growing up so fast. They got to spend some time with great grandma as well, and she just sat back and watched them during the afternoon with a big smile on her face! Never forget what is really important in our lives. Everything gets so busy, and it is easy to take these moments for granted. Spend time with your family. Take care of yourself and keep working on what you can do for your own health. Strive to Survive, and live life to the fullest! Keep moving everybody!
Change…always happening…always creating stress…but it can also be very rewarding. I am going to talk about change this week. My daughter Megan also just did her blog on change for her as well. I told her she must have ESP because we are talking about the same thing. She does her blog on Saturdays, and I post mine on Sundays. But we are related. We have been going through lots of changes for each of us. For me, we are now part of Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. We are now Prairie Lakes Brown Clinic. I also have a new role as Chief Medical Officer at Prairie Lakes. Talk about change! This month has been a whirlwind. I am still seeing patients several days a week as well, but lots of other things going on in this new role. I am trying to get my feet under me as I move forward with this role. It is challenging, but I will admit, many times I feel like I am flying by the seat of my pants. I just need to get acclimated to projects and procedures going on there instead of just the clinic. I will get there, but it is definitely a work in progress. Some days I feel like I am doing great, and then next day I feel like I am just lost. Welcome to change! But change is how we grow…and learn. And if we get to the point where we are done learning, then we probably just need to be done all together. We all need to learn to fasten our seatbelts and enjoy the ride!
This is my grandson Connor. He is wearing my daughters’ shoes. This is a perfect example of change. He is growing so fast, but for him, clearly not fast enough. But he is trying to be “big”. And boy is he active! This shirt is perfect for him. He is part of the “athletic department of awesome”! For some of us, we cannot grow or change fast enough, and for the rest of us, change comes too fast for us to keep up. Somewhere we need to find that happy medium.
Like Connor here, we need to find the time to just think about what we are going to do going forward. We get in such a hurry that we forget to really “think”. We end up panicking, where if we just slowed down, and thought about it for a minute, we could come up with a solution and a plan that will work, and would also help us maintain our own sanity as well. So, sit back, and think a little more.
Dakota is also a great example of showing how we just need to slow down. Relax. Stay by those close to you. Sometimes, we just need to know somebody, or someone, has our back, and will always be there in those times of change.
We see the weather change every day. Some days are good, and some days are not. We experience this every day in our lives. Our lives are just like the weather. You deal with it every day. Some days the wind is ripping your head off, or the cold is unbearable, but then we get a break in the temperatures, and the beauty of the day shows up again that makes up for all of the problems that may have come up that day. Pay attention to those moments. They are the difference makers. This is how we can cope with change. If there were no changes, life would be pretty boring. This is what makes life exciting. Take it on! Be a difference maker.
Remember to take breaks! Spend time with those closest to you. There is nothing like relaxation/nap time with my granddaughter Tessa. This is a small window of time that I am going to be able to do this before she starts getting older…and changing! Seize those moments when they come, because change will come!
Spend time with friends and family. They are a good sounding board when it comes to helping get through change. They are going through changes as well. Lean on them when you need them. This can be one of the “constants” that we have in our “changing” lives.
Change is progress. Change is inevitable. Change is needed. If you don’t change, you don’t grow, and if you don’t grow, you are not living your life to the fullest. Become the best you can become. There will be learning curves. There will be bumps in the road. There will be stress. But “your life is always possible”. Do it! Most of the time our potential is limited by our own minds.
The sky is the limit! Don’t be your own obstacle that gets in the way. Your daily life is not written in stone. It will keep changing, and you need to change with it. This truly is what is exciting about our lives, and how we live it. Don’t miss out on it, or dwell on the little things that come up during the day that may stress us more. Those little things are usually short lived. New changes will replace those things. The script of life is never done. It is your story, and you are always writing it. Make it the best adventure you can make. Keep moving everybody!
The temperatures this weekend are terrible! It is too cold to really do anything outside, including for our dog, Dakota. Normally we take her for a walk every day, sometimes twice a day. But it is too cold out even for her. So, she spent these last few days inside with us, even though her kennel is connected to a heated garage, we had her in the house all day too. She of course had to help me in a meeting on the computer. She wanted to make sure I stayed awake! She is also a great motivator to get outside and move as well. We had to come up with alternatives for working out instead then.
Our workout room is downstairs. We have the equipment we need to exercise inside when it is too cold outside. No excuses! If you are going to be serious about your health, then show it! We changed one section in our garage about 5 years ago to have our own weight room. I call it the “Reiflex Center”.
The heater for the garage is hanging up from the ceiling, so it does not matter the temperature outside. The other end is where the kennel is connected to the outside, so Dakota has heat as well. Again, if you are serious about your health, then you come up with ways to prove it. Whether in your own home or belonging to a gym. I like our own better because it is truly 24/7. I can go out anytime I want. The sign is hanging up just below the heater…”Reiflex Center”! We tell patients every day that they need to exercise and be a part of taking care of their own health. We as individuals have a responsibility ourselves to take care of things as well. We practice what we preach! Why? Here are a few reasons!
Family is number one! I want to be around to spend time with them. This is what life is all about. And now that we have grandkids, life has completely changed. Memories are so fun to make! There is just nothing like being there in real time!
Of course, you have to listen to your body too. You have to take time to rest and recover as well. Sleep always seems to be one of the things that keeps getting forgotten about. You have to get sleep! My grandkids are perfect examples of that also. When they are tired and need to sleep, you see them have a complete meltdown. Once they wake up, they are ready to go again, and have fun!
Connor thought it was the greatest thing to be able to take a nap in Grandpa’s bed! No arguments anymore about taking a nap, as long as he can be in our bed! We just have the pillows surrounding him on all sides to keep him in bed!
For me, when Tessa goes down for a nap, so do I! There is nothing like having her on my chest as she sleeps. I could do this for hours! In fact, I have!! They were some of the greatest naps I have ever had! I also over the last 5 years have really developed an appreciation of nature, and sunrise and sunsets. I have to admit I did not pay much attention before. Nothing like having a wakeup call to gain that perspective again. Going out to take pictures is my escape. I really can sit back and think, and just take it all in!
So, you do the same. Take it all in. Appreciate what is in front of you. Appreciate who you have around you. Appreciate life! Strive 2 Survive! Make memories. LIVE! Keep moving everybody!
We are now into the first weekend of January. Some of you may have already made New Years resolutions, and others not. A lot of us feel pressured to try and get something “planned” before January 1, but things are so busy with the holidays, and time with family, that we really don’t have the time to really get something in motion. No worries. The New Year just started. Take a little time to think about it and prepare. It takes thought. It takes planning. It takes creativity. What is it you want to accomplish this year? Even more important, why do you want to accomplish something different this year? Think about it. This is about you. What is it you want to do, and why? You are in the driver’s seat.
Do any of your goals have to do with your health? Do you want to get in better shape? Do you want to lose weight? Is there a race/event/goal you are working towards? Be creative. In order to gain the benefits of getting, or staying, in shape, you have to be willing to work. As I have said numerous times, anything worth having comes with work. You have to earn it. When you do, it means so much more. It is truly something to be proud of. For me, I want to keep staying in shape so I can keep up with my grandkids!
I want to be around for a long time to be a part of their lives. This is my “what” and my “why”. Now, once you have that in mind, you need to start working on the “how” and the “when”. The “when” is easy. Right Now!!! The “how” takes some time. You need to plan it. You also need to start off slow. If you try to do too much as once, you will inevitably quit! Keep a log. Gradually increase the amount of time you exercise. Once it becomes a habit, you will do it without having to give as much thought to it, and you will have more energy to do other things you want to do. I plan on continuing to run with my friends and family as well!
I have my run club family, which continues to grow!
We all work together and push each other. We work on making each other better.
And, of course, I have my forever training partner–Sarah. We will continue to move through life together. What are you waiting for? The New Year is just starting. Work on that plan. Don’t make the resolution be over with right away. If you really think about it, the “what” and the “why”, the answer is much easier! Create a “New Year” resolution that will last! Keep moving everybody!
We are wrapping up 2023 and moving on to 2024! A lot of things have gone on. Many new adventures are sure to come up this coming year as well. Change. Everything changes. Things with your family changes. Your health can change. Your job/profession can change. One thing is for sure: Life is never dull. Keep attacking and enjoy the ride!
Life is always exciting and changing with grandkids. Every time I see them, they are changing. Fun! Exciting! But the love is always constant!
2023 has been fun with the grandkids. I think 2024 will be even better.
The sunset/sunrise views are always changing as well. Each one is so unique and special. It is just fun watching how it can change so much each day. Take the time to pay attention, and you will realize it as well!
Running has, and always will be, a big part of my life. It has taught me so many life lessons that I have lost count. I have to gotten to experience a more fulfilling life by staying active and being able to see more of life just by being active. Remember that! The activity allows to see and do more adventures and provides more sights to see that you would have never been able to have appreciated before. Enjoy each day!
Those Sunday run clubs adventures have been a big part of my/our life for many years. Running brought us all together and keeps us together. Running is the absolute best antidepressant and stress reliever there is. And the coffee times after with friends goes beyond words!
Now, many career changes are also coming. I am still going to be seeing patients, but less days a week. I have become the Chief Medical Officer for Prairie Lakes Hospital, beginning January 1!
I have been a Family Physician in Watertown going on 30 years. I had red hair when I was a kid, and it is like this book was written for/about me! I have been taking care of my patients one on one each day, and now this new adventure is going to allow me to help them in more ways now. I can now help develop, maintain, and create new ways of helping patients on a larger scale. I want patients to be confident of the healthcare they receive here in Watertown. In Watertown, “We Care”, and are the “Keystone of the Community!”
Things change. Each of us truly has the power to change our thoughts, and our thoughts have the power to change our life. Take advantage of it. Strive to Survive. Live to the fullest. No regrets. Never sit back. You all have a purpose. Make a difference. Be a difference maker. Happy New Year! Keep moving everybody!
Merry Christmas everyone! Hopefully everyone has a very joyous holiday season. Be safe with all of the weather coming! I got to have 2 Christmas celebrations this year. Last weekend, all of the kids, and grandkids, were home for our family Christmas! What a great time!!!
We played a bunch of games, ate some great food, and just got to spend some time together! The grandkids were the highlight of the weekend. Connor, the 2 year old, is so active, and never stops moving. What a blast!
It was so fun watching him open his presents. It really did not matter what was inside of them, he just had fun ripping everything open. Giggling, and grinning ear to ear. That in and of itself was worth everything!
But at the end of the day, when he was done, he was done. He was so tired he just layed down in Dakota’s (our dog) bed and was just content to go to sleep!
Of course, the last 2 weekends I also go to spend time holding my now 4 month old granddaughter, Tessa. My present was getting to have her lay on my shoulder and chest, and just relax while she slept. I am not sure there is anything more relaxing, and it made me so happy I did not want to give her up. To me, that was the greatest present that I got. I loved every minute of it!! Same goes for Sarah!
Her shirt she wore said it all!
Joyful and Jolly, and spreading joy to both her parents, and to her grandparents. How can they totally steal your heart from the moment they arrive? A patient told me earlier this week, and I have heard it several times as well, but he said he wished he could have skipped being a parent and went straight to being a grandparent! How true!!! They give us another purpose in life and know we all have a reason to be here yet, and love them, teach them, and be there for them!
Then, of course, we went for a run with our other family this morning. Our Watertown Area Run Club family. We all had our Christmas attire on, and even though it was raining the whole time, it actually was very warm, and it was a great way to bring in Christmas!
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you get to spend a lot of time with your family! Enjoy Christmas for what is really is! Be safe if traveling. Keep working on your own health, always! We all want to be around longer to keep making memories, and spending time with those close to us. I just left my grandkids last night, and I already miss them! This grandpa gig is truly the greatest! Keep moving everybody!
