Month: November 2023

Day 20 Gratitude Challenge

It is easy to think of the wonderful things that happened in life. Sometimes we may need a gentle reminder of all that we have. For most of this challenge, the focus is on good things and good actions in life. This is intended to serve as a the gentle reminder of the good already present in life.

However, we all know that life is all rainbows, puppy dogs, disco dancing, and Viking wins. Life is full of challenges and sometimes the Vikings lose. This gratitude challenge was born from one of those times in 2020. The Fall 0f 2020 was one of the darkest times in my life.

But as the saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Today, take time to think about the challenges you have overcome in life. Be grateful for the challenges, the lessons they have taught you, the skills you have gained, and t he resilience you have built.

Day 19 Gratitude Challenge

It’s hard to believe that four years ago, I took and posted a picture that changed everything. It was during my first gratitude challenge.

I remember being in my backyard and taking the picture. It was an unseasonably warm November day similar to yesterday. I decided to post the picture with some clever words related to my teaching in a hoodie. Early in my teaching career, I was strictly a suit and tie person. So to teach class in a hoodie was out of character. But this was also at the height of the pandemic, and I was teaching online, so everything seemed out of character. Attached to the post where the following words:

I’m teaching class today in my @augievolleyball hoodie Why?

  1. Because I love the coaches and players
  2. Because I can!
  3. It’s a great day!
  4. My @augieutennis hoodie is worn out
  5. It’s the only Augie hoodie I have
  6. My mom will probably appreciate a picture of me.

What followed was unexpected. As I looked at the picture, I barely recognized the person in it. I knew something needed to change. It is amazing how motivating a picture can be.

I decided to lose weight and take control of my health. I began the process alone, I told no one what I was doing. I set a goal weight which I thought was ridiculous. Over the next five months, I lost approximately 60 pounds. Though I have gained a few pounds back, I am still 50 pounds lighter than this picture (interestingly I am at the original goal weight). I am healthier. I feel better. I have less pain. I sleep better. For all these things I am grateful.

The challenge today is to give thanks for unknown blessings already in their way. Bonus challenge is to pay it forward. By a stranger coffee or a meal. Have a great day!

Day 18 Gratitude Challenge

Yesterday was a great day, I had chances to help people at work. I had great conversations with friends. I had a date with my wife at a restaurant we had not been to before.

But as wonderful as yesterday was, many of my conversations involved things that were not pleasant. One conversation talked about the dynamics of a dysfunctional relationship . Another conversation was about how to deal with aging and ailing parents. And yet another conversation dealt with the struggles of ailing spouses.

As I reflected on the day, I focused on all that have. Yet, I also thought about the situation of my friends. Like my friends, my life is not perfect. It would be easy to focus on the imperfections and flaws. Yesterday, I chose gratitude rather than negativity and it made all the difference.

Todays challenge is to do focus on health. Starting small by being grateful for air in my lungs, a beating heart, the gift of senses, and the ability to move with little pain. My health is infinitely better than it was four years ago when I started this challenge and for this I am grateful. I take time today to focus on your health and be grateful for what you have. If you can improve your health, do something today.

Day 17 Gratitude Challenge

It’s Day 17 of the challenge and it is Friday. I will admit that I am tired and a little cranky. It has been a long week. This is exactly when I need gratitude challenge and its call to action. If nothing else, the challenge is a daily reminder of choice. I can choose gratitude or not. It is entirely my choice.

Today, all you need to do is embrace gratitude all day. My agenda today is packed with appointments, some business and some personal. I am grateful for each one because it means I am alive and working.

Be grateful for your family, friends, bed, warm shower (unless you are into the cold plunge), coffee, food, water, music, podcasts, art, books, or whatever. Just be grateful all day…and try to be a little annoying about it. If someone asks you why you seem so happy, tell them you are grateful and list all the reasons you are grateful. Schedule hourly check-ins with yourself and others. Have a great weekend.

Day 16 Gratitude Challenge

Are you aware of what is going on around you? How much of life do you see? I spent some time today “observing” people. It was interesting how many weren’t actually present. It seems that more often than not our eyes are glued to an electronic device. I am guilty of this – just ask my spouse.

The power of human interaction is undeniable. Last weekend my wife and I visited our youngest son. We loved spending time with him. Yesterday, I had coffee with a regular group. It was a great conversation about various issues. Time spent with family and friends.

The challenge today is to pay attention to the people around you. Give sincere and genuine compliments. We never know what someone else is going through. Perhaps your compliment might be the thing they need to hear today.

Warning, this may be a more difficult than you think. If you don’t ordinarily pay attention to people, you will have to break that habit. Additionally, paying a genuine compliment (without being creepy) is harder than you think.

Perhaps start with your closest friend or family member. What is something you genuinely love about them? Example: My spouse always gives people the benefit of the doubt. Such a compassionate and optomistic approach. Avoid comments about physical appearance.

Have a little fun with this one. Also, don’t forget to incorporate three other challenges into your daily routine.

Day 15 Gratitude Challenge

Today is a very important day in the gratitude challenge. We have reached the midpoint of the gratitude challenge. If you have done the challenge every day, you should notice a change in your attitude, habits, and overall demeanor. This is something to celebrate!

But today is also import because today his birthday. He would have been 63 today. I can’t change what happened and I am still sad he is gone. I am writing about my oldest brother Jeff who died in September 2020 from Covid. The picture is me of the last ones I took of him. Today, be grateful for your siblings if you have them.

I wrote the below words in the day we buried him. I have slightly edited as some of it as Covid-19 is not the danger it once was.

“Death is inevitable. It leaves a trail of sorrow for those left behind. There are so many unanswered questions. Yet, one thing is certain. My brother is dead. We buried his remains today.

If you ever met my brother, you saw the light in his eyes, his smile and his face. He ALWAYS smiled when he saw me. His smile was one of pure joy and it was infectious. I never knew what he was verbalizing but he let me know it was damn funny though his laughter. Jeff had a very serious side too. He often appeared to be in deep thought. Because of the communication barrier, I will never truly know what he thought about.

My brother was and is my foundation. He provided unconditional love. He never told me I should have visited him more (I should have). He never critiqued my gifts to him (some were bad). He just loved me and hugged me the same every time.

He is the reason I am who I am. He was born with a little too much DNA on his 9th chromosome. Without that extra DNA, I never get a chance to become his brother. He taught me more than I will ever be able to express. He taught me about love, forgiveness, compassion, understanding, respect, perseverance and perspective. He taught me that EVERY person has value.

Thank you to those who have reached out with condolences. Your words, thoughts and prayers are helpful. Many have asked how they can help. Here is how you can help:

Love and forgive those around you
Wash your hands regularly
Be kind to all
Be physically distant from each other (At least 6 feet)
Smile at somebody today

Finally, eleven days have passed since my brother died. It was ten days from his diagnosis of COVID to his death. It also took ten days for the state to officially acknowledge his death in the COVID statistics (take from that what you wish). This virus is not fake. It is highly contagious. It’s deadly. Don’t believe me? Today I buried my brother.”

Day 14 Gratitude Challenge

I often find Mondays a challenge due to numerous meetings and things that popped up over the weekend. Yesterday was no exception. I didn’t do as well as I could have following my own challenge. Plus I reread yesterday’s post and feel I left too much out. I try to keep these posts short and to the point. Yesterday’s post was too short for the points I hoped to make.

I want to elaborate on the key elements of this gratitude challenge. First, I hope to perform each challenge throughout the day on the day it is posted. It is essential to take the action as I believe action leads to change.

Second throughout the day (and hopefully every day), I take time to reflect on my actions. How did the actions impact me? Did my action impact others? How so? For instance, if I asked someone “What is good today?” Did that generate an interesting conversation?

Finally, and this is the hardest part for me, take time to record my thoughts. One can do this through a written journal, computer file, or a recorded memo. But writing it down forces me to process it. I prefer the written journal but often do it on the computer.

I will give a brief example of an experience today. After work, I asked my wife “What was good today?” I thought it was a slam dunk question because just moments before she was praising the brussels sprouts, broccoli, and vegetable medley I had prepared for dinner. Her response was “Nothing!” Our conversation improved from there but it was interesting. Our conversation focused mostly on all that we had which put both of us in a better mood.

As the other part of yesterday’s challenge, I limited my complaining, tried to be more present and mindful throughout the day, and thought about the positive impacts on my life. Overall, a win.

The challenge for today is to pick any three previous challenges and incorporate them into your day along with thinking about your own strengths and talents. What strengths and talents are you grateful for?

As implied above, it can be easy to focus on what we don’t have and/or want. We often take for granted what we do have. One of my strengths is my passion for photography. Most pictures posted in this blog, I have taken. But few know that I received the Outstanding Disco Dancer award in 4th grade…and based on my blog statistics, the number of people who know will remain low! Have a great day!

Day 13 Gratitude Challenge

Yesterday was another great day. Spent time with people I love. Walked my dog. Minnesota Vikings won. Unseasonably warm late fall day (in fact forecast highs for the next few days is in the mid-60s). There is so much to be to be grateful for.

As we come to the end of week two of the gratitude challenge take a moment to think about the various challenges:

  1. No Complaining
  2. Notice the little things
  3. Smile all-day
  4. Pay it forward
  5. Cherished Memories
  6. Be Present and Mindful all day
  7. Who are you grateful for
  8. Resist the urge to consume – Give instead
  9. Who has made an impact on your life
  10. Get out in nature
  11. Veterans Day Gratitude
  12. Wild Card Day

What if each day, you incorporated three of these? This challenge requires you to perform the challenge, reflect on the impact, and record your thoughts.

The challenge this week includes the daily challenge AND at least three past challenges. In future posts, I will write about how this challenge impacts me. The daily challenge calms my mind and directs my attention.

The challenge today requires a shift in your words. instead of asking people “How are you?” Ask “What is good today?” The first question can be answered with one word. The second question requires more consideration and may lead to an interesting conversation. Perhaps the words we use matter.

Day 12 Gratitude Challenge

Yesterday was a very good day. I list the reasons why:

1. Got to see my youngest son and have dinner with him

2. Watched a great basketball game between Creighton and North Dakota State University

3. The football team at my alma mater won a big football game to clinch the conference championship outright for the first time since 1959.

4. Michigan best Penn State.

5. Great late fall weather.

Todays challenge is a wild card challenge. Find three things to be grateful for. Have a great Sunday!

Day 11 Gratitude Challenge

Today is about the veterans. Be grateful for them today and everyday. Many in my family are veterans. This picture is of a statue my dads cousin Cecil Harris.

Take time to read Proclamation 3071—Veteran’s Day, 1954 which states in part:

“Whereas, in order to expand the significance of that commemoration and in order that a grateful Nation might pay appropriate homage to the veterans of all its wars who have contributed so much to the preservation of this Nation, the Congress, by an act approved June 1, 1954 (68 Stat. 168), changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day:

Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, do hereby call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954, as Veterans Day. On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.”