I’ve been training for a Marathon that Robin and I are running this Sunday, so I treated myself a couple days ago to a crazy good massage.  Jacklyn gave “deep tissue” a whole new meaning.  Yowza!

A couple of minutes into it, with strong hands pressing into my shoulders and chest, I realized my mind was still racing from the day.  I mentally paused.  I centered on my breathing and then focused on the physical sensation of the fingers on my skin and the feeling of the kneading of my muscles.  The pressure, the temperature.  I intentionally changed my attention from willy-nilly all over the place to calm and present.  Right here, right now.  And I savored the experience.  Ahhh.

The power of being able to tell yourself what to do and then trusting yourself that you will do it is my SECRET to having the life that I want.  Intention is hugely important to me, and intention around being present, in particular.  Because I’m a dreamer and a thinker.  If I’m not thoughtful about what I’m giving my attention to, I’ll always be thinking about the future – what could be and what might be.

Robin and I are working in Florida for 5 weeks.  (Hey, if you can’t work remotely during Covid, when can you?)  While we’re here, I’m “spending” some of my time thinking about things like “Is travelling while working something we might do more often?”, and “What would it be like to buy a house here?”, and “What do we want to do this weekend”, and so on.  Future stuff.  That’s normal I suppose, but I could SPEND all of my time here thinking about next time, or the thing I don’t have, or how it could be better … and forget to simply enjoy what’s happening here and now.  So, I’m intentional about that.

Toppers is similar.  It started because of a dream.  And to run a successful business, you have to look ahead, plan ahead, look for opportunities to pursue and areas to improve.  You have to.  The “present” side is to savor the wins, see the details that are all around that are so incredible and so rewarding.  After all, it’s the journey, right?

I ran yesterday morning in the rain.  When I run I just observe and think (no headphones for this guy).  I saw this ridiculously awesome tree (seriously this is an appropriate use of the overused word: AWE some).  I saw a Pileated woodpecker (look it up).  I said “hey” to a couple of bikers also out in the rain.  I felt the rain on my face and I FELT SO FUCKING GOOD.  Man, does it feel good to be strong and healthy and free and able to run and feel my heart pound.  I am blessed to be on an adventure with my life partner, lover, and friend in Sanibel, Florida.  My kids are good, my parents are good, Toppers is good.  It’s just good.  I have so much to just SAVOR all day every day, every single day of my life.

I have big plans for Toppers. You watch.  The next few years at Toppers are going to be the best and biggest EVER!  Toppers is in an incredible place to grow from.  The crazy environment couldn’t be better for us.  The Toppers Team is off-the-rails good and focused, and I personally am in a great place to lead the team.  I am energized and hungry and the smartest I’ve ever been.  We are going to grow and everyone involved is going to have big fun and opportunities (if they see it and if they want it ?).

But I am also savoring the year that was, and the day that is.  My work this week has been so fun and rewarding.  Every day.  It’s Wednesday right now and all 3 days so far I have felt GIDDY with optimism and excitement for the day ahead of me.  I’ve loved the team meetings, the individual conversations and I’m digging writing this blog (interpretation of “digging” for gen-Z:  means I like it).

You might think I’ve got it made, and that’s why I feel so good.  You’d be right.  But I also think you’ve got it made and that’s why you feel so good.  Or could.

I don’t know if this post is preachy or touchy-feely, or random or what.  But it’s what I’m thinking and I’m shining that light.

See you out there.

Love,

Scott