Who are you?

This morning I signed up for a little triathlon in August and even as I sit here writing I’m filled with excitement. I thought about it much of the day yesterday and I couldn’t wait to get signed up. Yesterday was an awesome day!

Who are you?

When I was in my early 20s, I was doing graduate work at California State University in Sacramento. I’ve always loved school. I distinctly remember the beautiful walking bridge across the Sacramento River. I know this sounds pretty dorky, but I used to walk across that bridge after taking tests singing to myself, “My future’s so bright, I’ve got to wear shades!”

Who are you?

This morning was an amazing morning on the farm in Lufkin. The sun had not yet poked its way over the horizon. The donkeys, the horses and Uncle Eddie’s new llama were all anxious to say “good morning” as I made an early morning departure for Starbucks. It’s a good life!

Who are you?

I spoke briefly to Meema yesterday. Why is it that every year I get older and every year my parents get cooler? I can’t wait to be sitting with them at the lake this summer. Doing what? It really doesn’t matter.

Who are you?

My buddy Steve texted me a picture this morning of himself and his wife sitting at his brother’s house overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Later this summer, I’ll have some amazing bike rides with Steve, John, Mario and a bunch of others.

Who are you?

Preparations are being made for our return to Denver in a few months where we’ll be reunited with some of the best friends 2 people could ever ask for. If you live somewhere other than Denver (Monterey?) trust that just knowing you are in our future brings a huge smile to my face.

Who are you?

In 2013, we hope to make a trip overseas to one of our absolute favorite dance locations. You are all invited!

Who are you?

In the fall, our little girl starts 1st grade! Music, math, hooked on phonics and the occasional triathlon. Is there anything better than being a parent?

Who are you?

Consider that who you are has absolutely nothing to do with your past. It has nothing to do with the experiences you’ve had thus far in life, the schools you attended or the family environment you grew up in. It has nothing to do with the opportunities you’ve been given or the walls you’ve run into.

Who are you?

Consider that at this moment, I am defined by the future I’m living into and there are no circumstances or life events that could ever get in the way of that.
My buddy David in TX has become an incredibly important person in my life over the last 6+ months. Yes, David and BeLynda have taken care of our daughter and we will be forever grateful. That will be an act of generosity I’ll never forget. There is more to David that I want to share.

Who is David?

For me, David is the possibility of Rigor, Excellence and Discipline. Everything about him, everything he does, everything he says radiates Rigor, Excellence and Discipline. More importantly, he inspires me to have Rigor, Excellence and Discipline in my own life. These words are forever etched in my mind, but realize that words are just words. These specific words are powerful because I experience David living them on a daily basis. It is who David is. It is how he shows up for me every time I am with him.

Who is Jo?

For me, Jo is the possibility of Extraordinary Love. Love is many things to many people, but I distinguish love as acceptance. I accept you exactly the way you are and I accept you exactly the way you are not. When I see acceptance, love is always present.

People all over the world love my wife and it has everything to do with her way of being. When I watch Jo in life, I see love…even if I can’t hear the conversation. When I watch Jo get chemo in a hospital bed, I see love.

Jo loves life. She loves people. She loves to dance. She loves being a mom. She loves being a daughter. She loves being a sister and a friend. She loves the experience of being alive. Circumstances are irrelevant. I am touched, moved and inspired by the way she plays the game of life. Her way of being is also forever etched in my brain and my future is filled with the possibility of my being able to reproduce that love for my own life.

Who am I?

Who I am is the possibility of extraordinary being - the possibility of people living extraordinary lives. If there was a gift I could give to the world, I would share with every one of you the amazing people I have run across in my life. People that play the game of life full out. David’s Rigor, Excellence and Discipline. Jo’s Extraordinary Love. Paul’s Compassionate Leadership. John’s Unstoppable Generosity. And many others…

So, who are you?

Consider that who you are is determined completely by the future you’re living into…and consider that this is tremendous news. Yes, we all have to learn how to put the past where it belongs – in the past. But once you do that, the future is a blank slate and you can create anything. So live big, play full out, create a HUGE future…and never let circumstances stop you.