Daily Gratitude on Walking in Sober Boots

A Bike Ride, Sunshine, & Enough

Sat, 09 Jan 2021 19:35:17 -0500

I got out for a 20 mile bike ride today. It was 32° and windy but sunny. I passed a church group handing out food to a long line of people. I’m grateful that I have enough and can support charities. I am grateful for the sunshine since it’s been overcast recently. And I’m grateful for a bike ride to clear the head and stop doom scrolling for a bit.

A Quiet Friday, A Suspended Twitter Account, & A Calling, Perhaps

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 19:15:21 -0500

It’s been a difficult week. I am grateful for a quiet Friday evening, at least as quiet as it can be with a 13 year old boy listening to Dr. Dre and playing video games.

After years of seemly giving him a pass, Twitter finally suspended the president’s account, permanently. I am grateful that his platform for hatred, misinformation, and lies has been diminished.

A Donut, Fatherhood, Democracy Intact

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 19:35:49 -0500

I am grateful for the donut that I had after I failed a certification exam today. Yes, it did make me feel better.

I am grateful that I was at home and able to pick my son up after he fell in a giant mud puddle at recess. He got a shower and clean clothes and went back to school.

My Recovery, My Foundation

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 09:00:13 -0500

I missed my gratitude post yesterday. In the wake of the events in DC yesterday I am grateful for my recovery. My sobriety is the foundation upon which the rest of my life is built.

Some Good News, Back to School, & Space Heaters

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 19:00:00 -0500

Today, I spoke with a customer who is at an account that I no longer manage. It was great to speak with him especially when he told me that he is now a grandfather. I was so grateful to hear some good news today.

Old Friends, Linguini, & Muddy Boots

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 20:41:50 -0500

I got a chance to talk with one of my oldest friends today and it was wonderful to hear her voice. I’m grateful for our friendship.

I made linguini and sausage for dinner. I’m grateful that my son was excited for dinner rather than complaining that I’d made something he didn’t like tonight.

Reminders, A Pair of Old Characters, & Retained Heat

Sun, 03 Jan 2021 18:54:44 -0500

I watched a few short films by a group called Teton Gravity Research. Several of them were adventure films about snowboarding. I’m not a good snowboarder, but I do love to ski. These films reminded me that there will be good times again even if the pandemic looms large right now.

New Gear, A Packed Trail, & Pizza

Sat, 02 Jan 2021 18:35:04 -0500

A new cycling jacket that I ordered showed up today and I got to test it out on a ride this afternoon. I’m always grateful for a bike ride because they make me feel free. There is something very mediative about turning the pedals over and over.

The Kindness, Support, & Love of Strangers

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 19:41:31 -0500

It was a hard day for me. The weight of the pandemic and the dysfunction of the holidays not being very holiday like hit me hard today. But when I shared my pain with my Twitter crew, things felt better. I am so grateful for the support I get from people around the world on that service. I know that some people find Twitter to be a cesspool, and if I look in the wrong corners I see it as well, but the group that I interact with in a daily basis is so life affirming and supportive.

New Years, Streaming Concerts, & Snuggles

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 13:30:21 -0500

It’s been a hard year. I’m under no delusions that 2021 will be magically different starting tomorrow but I am grateful that 2020 is coming to an end.

Tonight will be a quiet night. I’m going to catch a live stream concert by Jason Isbell on fans.live at 9 Eastern. I’m grateful for fast internet and streaming technology bringing entertainment to my living room during the pandemic.

Adaptability, Cream of Wheat, & Prince

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 15:05:03 -0500

I ran nearly six miles today in an hour and nine minutes and almost all in heart rate zone 2 (which for me is between 134 and 150 beats per minute). I set the second fastest time ever on one of my segments which is astonishing because my heart rate was relatively low and I wasn’t pushing myself. I was thinking of when I started running a few years ago and how tough it was to run for just 90 seconds. I’m grateful for the body’s adaptability and my improved cardiovascular health.

Sunshine, Perspective, & Lasagna

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 17:38:46 -0500

We had a bright and sunny day here in Maryland. I’m grateful for the sunshine.

I wrote a blogpost about all the good things that happened in 2020. I’m grateful for perspective — the ability to see the good things in the middle of the chaos.

Adirondack Chairs, A Reminder, & Smiles

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 14:25:30 -0500

It’s pretty warm today and I’m grateful to be able to sit outside in my Adirondack chair with a cup of coffee as the sun warms my face.

I spoke with my therapist about my struggles over the past few weeks this morning and I’m grateful for her reminder to be easy with myself.

My Boy’s Birthday, Shake Shack, & Zoom

Sun, 27 Dec 2020 18:12:52 -0500

Today is my son’s birthday. There are times when he drives me right up the wall but he’s also a really awesome boy. I’m grateful to be his father.

We went to Shake Shack for his birthday lunch, just the two of us. I’m grateful for a little time alone with him.

Sleep, Reading, & Coffee

Sat, 26 Dec 2020 10:40:25 -0500

I went to bed early last night and woke up late this morning.

I enjoyed reading an article about form and fascia in Runners World last night.

My wife made coffee this morning. It’s a rare treat for me to have someone else make the coffee.

Health, A Run to Clear the Head, & Grilling Below Freezing

Fri, 25 Dec 2020 18:58:48 -0500

Today was the strangest Christmas ever but I’m grateful that all of us in the family are healthy in the midst of this pandemic.

I’m grateful for the 4 mile run that I took this afternoon. My headspace was bordering on severely depressed and some time outside made a huge difference.

Family, A Gaming Build, & Last Minute Stocking Stuffers

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 20:45:41 -0500

We went to drop off gifts at the family’s today and got to see my mom, my uncle, and my brother and his wife and kids. It was short, and was out in the wind. But I’m grateful for the time together.

Rest & Easy Dinners

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 21:47:03 -0500

With the holidays upon us I have a few days off. I’m grateful for a little downtime.

I took a nap after my last meeting of the day and it was refreshing. I am grateful for that nap.

Flexibility, Running, & the Sun

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 13:51:24 -0500

I’m grateful for the flexibility and the mobility that my job affords me which means I don’t have to stress about how to manage my son’s time off school over the holidays.

I plan to go for a run this afternoon and I’m grateful for the ability to run. Running helps me calm my monkey mind.

Sharing the Load, Permission to Feel, & Impermanence

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 17:54:14 -0500

I’ve struggled to come up with three things to post today. It’s one of those days when the weight of the world feels heavy on my shoulders. I am grateful to know that I don’t have to shoulder that weight alone.

Winter Solstice, Peanut the Cat, & an Automated Butcher Shop

Sun, 20 Dec 2020 14:55:45 -0500

We are almost to the winter solstice, which is cause for celebration. I am grateful that there will gradually be more daylight everyday starting in two days.

It’s grey today, but not too cold. I got out for a walk with my son and we spoke with the woman who’s cat my son has loved forever. She told us that Peanut died a few weeks ago but that he lived to be twenty years old! I’m grateful for the memories of my son sitting in the middle of the street petting Peanut.

Down Sweaters & Dying Batteries

Sat, 19 Dec 2020 16:05:37 -0500

I took a walk this morning and it was pretty darn cold. I’m grateful for my down sweater which kept me warm.

My wife called me this afternoon because the car wouldn’t start. I’m grateful that my dad taught me how to properly use jumper cables so I could get the car started and back home.

A Meeting, Values, & DIGEX

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 16:49:05 -0500

What a week it’s been. I am grateful that the work week is coming to an end and that my last meeting was with like-minded folks discussing topics of community, vulnerability, and gratitude.

My workplace has five values: Disruption, Execution, Collaboration, Integrity, and Inclusion. These are lofty values, but the miracle is that I see them being lived by people at every level in the company on a daily basis. I’m grateful for these values and the people who live by them in my workplace.

Memories, Feeling Better, & Carrying the Message

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 09:19:19 -0500

We lost my Uncle Danny yesterday and while it’s sad that he’s gone, I’m grateful that one of my earliest memories from childhood was him playing with me at the playground. He showed me how to do a “skin-the-cat” on the rings. I was perhaps 3 or 4 at the most.

A Reminder, Some Relief, & a Conversation with a Friend

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 10:17:51 -0500

Lately, for a variety of reasons, coming up with three things I’m grateful for has been a bit of a challenge. I was reading one of my books of reflections and I was reminded that life is what we make of it. Often, we must look for the light. That’s what this practice is all about. I’m grateful for the reminder.

Telemedicine, Warmth, & an Old Friend

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 17:12:06 -0500

I had a telemedicine appointment today to talk about the fact that I’ve been gritting my teeth so hard at night that I’m waking myself up. I am grateful for the technology that made it possible for me to get the care I needed safely from my own home.

My Role at Work, My Health, & Cinnamon Tea

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 18:59:05 -0500

In the past 24 hours, the news that several federal agencies had been compromised through a suspected supply chain breach of a network management vendor. I haven’t been as grateful as I am today to no longer be in operations in quite some time. At the same time I have a great deal of empathy and compassion for all those in operational roles and employees the firm and agencies that got breached because I know how hard they have been and will be working for the foreseeable future and just how stressful it is to respond to a breach.

Healing, Running, & Sleeping In

Sun, 13 Dec 2020 09:08:37 -0500

Yesterday, I talked with my dear friend who had open heart surgery last week. It was wonderful to hear his voice and even better to hear that he would likely be discharged to day. I’m grateful for the success and healing and grateful to have him in my life.

Neural Pathways, An Old Photo, & a Warm Day Ahead

Sat, 12 Dec 2020 09:00:12 -0500

I’ve been reading the news this morning and even after only a short 39 minutes I am feeling overwhelmed. I’m grateful for this daily gratitude practice which has really made a difference in my outlook in this difficult time by rewiring the neural pathways in my brain.

Healing, Conversations with My Son, & Longer Days on the Horizon

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 13:19:21 -0500

I am grateful for the human body’s ability to heal, which is nothing short of miraculous. The fact that our bodies can repair damage and rebuild themselves never ceases to amaze me.

I am grateful to have taken a walk with my son today. He told me all about the computer that he wants to build for his gaming setup. We discussed the fact that the graphics card he wants is hard to find and that buying it from someone who is charging more than retail is not a good way to go, and he agreed with me even if he doesn’t like it.