I love taking landscape photos, especially sunrise and sunset photos. Every one has similarities, yet they are all different. It is my time to escape…to relax…to sit in “awe” of what has been created for me…for us. Last year Sarah and I went with the kids to Utah, and Zion. One day we took off to Page, Arizona, and went through antelope canyon. Wow!!!! You are in the desert and enter an amazing world of sandstone created by wind and water. The photos from this trip have made this one of the best places I have ever visited. But you don’t have to go anywhere special to be in awe of what natures creates. Jackson Park is one mile from my house, and I have taken more photos there than anywhere else. I went out around 8PM Tuesday night when my daughter Megan told me the Northern Lights were visible. I took off and got an incredible show that I have never seen before. And I did not have to go to Alaska to see it!
The greens and reds and color dancing was amazing! I sent some to her and Sarah to see what I was getting, and Megan replied back: “Are you out there giggling like a little boy on Christmas morning?” Yep…I sure was! I had never seen anything like this before. Earlier in the year I saw the Northern Lights for the first time, in Jackson Park, but that time was a fraction of what I saw Tuesday night. This was a perfect example of when nature interrupts routine. We all get busy. We are all “rushing” to get things done. But sometimes, movement isn’t the point. Sometimes the point is to pause. To look up. To be still. To feel small. To remember that you are part of something much bigger than yourself. That evening under the lights wasn’t on my schedule. But it was exactly the kind of reminder I didn’t know I needed. “Awe has a way of realigning your mind.” When we let ourselves marvel at the extraordinary, we reconnect with why we do what what we do: to live fully, to feel deeply, and to not miss the opportunities we come across that is a part of living.
That is why the sunrise and sunset photos are so special to me. Each one tells a story. Many times, the sunrise sets the stage for the day, and the sunsets help bring a memorable close to the day. It is peaceful. Beautiful. Relaxing. Sometimes the real moments of gratitude arrive uninvited. You don’t need to be in hurry with things…to “get more done”…you just need to slow down, or even stop…and just look up! Keep moving everybody…but remember to take those times to slow down and appreciate what is in front of us. Enjoy each day, and let the “awe” help reset your day!
Every so often, life gives you that quiet nudge. Not a shove. Not a sprint. Just a whisper: “Hey…what is up next for you?”
We all have moments of reflection. Mine: They started to come after the kids moved out. After each exercise consecutive streak has started again. After a great run…or a small injury. After a long week of work. After a fulfilling weekend with the grandkids. Suddenly, you are then asking: What does the next chapter look like? What do I want it to look like? What kind of pace do I want to run it now?
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about rhythm–in running, work, and in life. Sometimes you’re in marathon mode. Other times, it’s ok to run a strong 5K (as long as you don’t hurt your foot!), then walk the cool-down. The important thing is: you keep moving forward, with purpose and perspective.
What’s next? It’s a fair question.
Maybe it’s more time with the grandkids. Maybe it’s more races. More hikes. More clinic time, less administration. More time building that garage gym life. More storytelling, more writing, more photos–not just for a blog, but for legacy. More noticing. More being. Whatever it is, I know this much: It will take a few more coffees to think, and of course, peanut M & M’s.
The future does not have to be defined by a job title, a finish line, or even a calendar. It can be defined by passion, by presence, and by the people you share it with. I am going through moments of reflection. What does the next mile hold in store for me?
You don’t have to make a big change to honor your future–sometimes, it starts with one morning. One moment. One mile. What’s one small thing you’ve been wanting to make more room for? You can focus on this next picture to help make you dream…
Sit back with your moments of reflection. One step at a time. Again, what’s one small thing you’ve been wanting to make more room for?
Somewhere between flipping through the calendar, and switching from morning workouts to morning layers, I’ve been thinking more and more about change.
Changes in the weather.
Changes at work.
Changes in the mirror.
Change can still be scary. I like the comfort of routine–same alarm, same clinic, same running path, same shoes (until they wear out). But as I get older, I need to start embracing change more—especially when I am looking in the mirror. This week I had a dermatologist appt and had a lot of precancerous lesions on my face. I got them treated with liquid nitrogen, and you get red, blisters, they peel. I don’t even want to look at myself in the mirror with this appearance, and yet I still have to find a way to go see patients and be in front of people. I will say, I brought up with every patient this week the importance of keeping an eye out on changes in your skin. Do it now or face bigger issues later. I keep telling them that, but I am also trying to convince myself of this as well. I am working on trying to realize that change should not be something to fear. It’s something to befriend.
Because the alternative to change…is stagnation. And I’d rather bend then break.
I do have at least one constant other than change–my dog Dakota. She is always by my side. Always there to greet me. Always there to love. Having a dog is so rewarding.
Some changes arrive like a lightning bolt: A diagnosis; A loss; A job shift; An exercise streak that gets interupted.
Others tiptoe in: New joint pains; a role that slowly evolves; A child who is now the parent of your grandchild.
Change is like the weather. Each day is different. But each day brings about a new appreciation for what is out there. You don’t have to like every change. But you do have to face it. Control what you can: your mindset, your effort. (Even if you have to keep reminding yourself as well!) Let go of what you can’t: the outcome, the timeline, the past.
The finish line always moves! In running and in life, I’ve learned this: the finish line shifts. And that’s ok. Maybe the PR (personal record) is gone–but the joy is still there.
Maybe the job changes–but the mission remains.
Maybe the body slows down, or changes in appearance–but the spirit can still sprint.
Many times, you feel like you have to change, and either choice is not good. I have always loved this cartoon. It really does sum some things up.
But change does not always mean the outcome will be bad. We may think it is at the time, but funny how things tend to work out, and you move on. Do we make mistakes along the way? Please! We are all human–we make mistakes. What do we do to correct it, or admit them, that is another story. So I suggest we make a change on the door signs above and have it state: “Changes if you do” and “Changes if you don’t”. Changes coming are a constant. What’s changing in your life right now? And more importantly–how are you changing with it?
Let’s not resist change. Let’s grow through it. Let’s be flexible, faithful, and curious enough to see what’s on the other side. Because the goal isn’t to avoid change. It’s to “strive to survive…and maybe even thrive through it.” Keep moving everybody!
We went down to Sioux Falls yesterday to go see my mom. She is in a nursing home there. She will be 92 the day after Thanksgiving. It gets tough seeing a parent like this. She needs help with everything. But, even though she needs help, she does not forget that she is still a mom. My birthday was Friday, and she called me Friday and Saturday last week already to wish me a Happy Birthday. Then she called me on my birthday too. When I told her we were coming down to see her yesterday she was so excited. When we got there, she was sleeping in her wheelchair in her room, but she was holding a container of chocolate chips cookies to share. My sister Mary had made these and had them there my twin brother Don because he usually sees her on Mondays. So, of course, we had to have some of them and sent a text to my brother telling him that is was also my birthday and we were going to help share his cookies! That led to some back-and-forth texts! We did manage to leave some for him. No matter what, my mom is still my mom and always wants to do something for us. This is a good reminder for everyone out there–if you have kids, you are always a parent. You will always want to see your kids. You always want what’s best for your kids, even if the situation is not the greatest for yourself. That is what forever love will do!
As the kid, you also always want what’s best for your parents too. It is hard seeing her this way in the nursing home. She was always so independent and did things for everyone else. Now she can’t. But she is still a mom, and will always be a mom…my mom…and she wants what’s best for her kids…and grandkids!
Megan came along with us. She is thrilled anytime someone comes to see her. We all feel that way. Nobody wants to feel forgotten. We all have a purpose in life, and that purpose is still there until we no longer are present. Call them. Write them. See them. She is still my mom, and always will be. We all want the best for her too.
As a parent, you also know how much your kids mean to you, even if they are always trying to play jokes on you, right Megan? Megan was taking a picture of my mom and I, and of course, when she has my phone, she does other things with it too. She managed to take more selfie pictures of herself than of us. I don’t get mad, I get even! Here is one of her self mugs she took!
Ha! Ha! Great picture Megan! This even made my mom laugh. “Kids will be kids!” And “Parents will be parents…always!” So, for all you kids out there, remember your parents. They will always do anything for you. They will always love you. Just don’t forget about us!
Some days, it feels like we are buried in details.
Appointments. Work. Schedules. Deadlines. Stress. Work out times. Dealing with injury.
Trying to sort out everything this week, especially after just being on vacation last week, rushing to make up the difference of being gone, has been stressful. And then it hit me–why do we make everything so complicated? Some things do create more stress and pressure. The other things, the little things, where if we add them all up, become big things–we need to learn to let it go! Relax! Most of the stress and pressure we are under we create ourselves. Take it easy on yourself. Try to keep life simple. We need to act more like our grandkids. My daughter Molly took this next picture. It is becoming one of my favorites.
The family out harvesting at sunset. My 4-year-old grandson Connor is explaining about life to my 2-year-old granddaughter Tessa! Carefree. Worry free. Just there for each other. We could learn a lot from this!
It was boss’s day on Thursday. When I got to clinic on Friday my nurse had a bouquet on my desk. Some other people on Thursday had flower bouquets on their desk. This was my flower bouquet!
Now that is a bouquet! My favorite. My nurse definitely knows me!
Everybody needs to learn to keep things more simple. And, simple does not mean lazy! We all work hard. We all push it. For what??? Simple isn’t lazy. It’s sustainable! That goes for relationships, workouts, meals, work, and even how you spend a quiet Sunday. It may not be too quiet–the Vikings play, you know!
We all need to learn to reset the compass. “Why am I making this harder than it has to be?” We don’t need a better app on our phone to do this. We need a better mindset. Some things are complex, but everything does not need to be!
What about you? What’s one thing you’re overcomplicating right now? And how would it feel to just let it be simpler? Only you can do it. So what are you waiting for? Keep moving everybody!
Sarah and I just got back from a week out in the Hills. What a great week! Sarah ran the Crazy Horse Half Marathon the day after we arrived. I am still recovering from injury so can’t run. We biked, hiked, walked every day. I had no less than 8 miles a day hiking/walking. We took our e-bikes out. One day covered 24 miles, and another day 46 miles. The scenery was so gorgeous! I took so many pictures! It was a great get away.
Tom and Sue Beaudry were out there for 3 of the days that we were. Went out to eat several times. Hiked every day! Charlie, their dog, went on all of the hikes as well. Whatever distance we covered, Charlie covered 3 times that! So full of energy while we were out there, then crashed and slept the rest of the day. Here are some shots from Black Elk Peak (former Harney Peak):
We were rained on, snowed on, then the sun came out, then the haze and walking in the clouds. Welcome to South Dakota, land of infinite variety–of weather! The Mickelson Trail is awesome, and we were on it every day! We saw deer and turkeys on the trail. Out hiking we saw Big Horn Sheep and Mountain goats!
I took literally thousands of photos! I did a lot of experimenting with the scenery. I have photos for the State Fair again next year! The best way to see things is to get out and move…hiking, walking, biking! So important again to get out and move. Keep moving everybody!
