This summer has been intense.
- Released Table Talk Math
- Continued the newsletter
- Contemplated a placemat for Table Talk Math
- Held a block party (for the first time in my life)
- Read a book called Essentialism (thanks to Robert Kaplinsky)
- Stopped contemplating the placemat
- Went to Utah for my son's birthday - EPIC
- Watched the last group of students I taught graduate from high school
- Went to a Dodgers game with the family, watched them come back to win
- Did a workshop
- Went on a great hike with the family
- Did another workshop
- Went to ISTE, met up with some great friends, learned some things
- Went to Sedona with the family
- Did another workshop
- Got the urge to learn Macedonian
- Built stuff with my kids
- Did another workshop, spent time with a good friend
- Went home to my parents', spent a day on Lake Mead, boat broke down
- Did another workshop, ate good food
- Watched my son dominate in soccer evaluations
- Packed for TMC, which I am really excited about
- Watched Glorious
None of that is to brag. Really, for me, it's to reflect. All summer long, I have been more intentional about mixing in family time between work time or conference time. Last summer, while profitable, was not good on the family, nor was it good on me.
Among the most valuable for me personally, reading Essentialism and watching the music video above have the most potential for long-lasting impact.
Over the past few years, I have been doing more and more work. Writing books, doing workshops, blogging, 3D printing, presenting, and sharing the work of so many others. It's gratifying, it's rewarding, and it's easy to look back on and enjoy. At the same time, I need to take a step back. What is really valuable to me in my life? In Essentialism, the push is to say "yes" to less and being more mindful of what you are doing along with why. Before, I was saying yes to everything without realizing it meant me saying no to my family in many situations.
After a long conversation with Kristina Mattis, I was reminded of my Macedonian roots and how little I work to understand them. Truth be told, my kids won't know anything of the culture outside of Baklava and a smattering of words in my vocabulary. That needs to change, and my Baba isn't getting any younger. As I watched Macklemore take his grandmother around town for her birthday, having a complete blast and laughing, I realized that this needs to happen. I'm typing this out with a well of fluid in my eyes so that I hold myself accountable to it: I'm flying out to Michigan and am going to give Baba a day she we will always remember and one I will never forget.
I talk all the time about taking care of yourself and treating yourself well, but haven't done it myself. To Robert and Kristina, thank you for playing a role in what I can only hope will be a change in my priorities.
Christopher Danielson once said "find what you love, do more of that" and that's exactly what I'm going to do. 2017-18 will be a lot more of that.
Happy "Finding What You Love" Fishing
Among the most valuable for me personally, reading Essentialism and watching the music video above have the most potential for long-lasting impact.
Over the past few years, I have been doing more and more work. Writing books, doing workshops, blogging, 3D printing, presenting, and sharing the work of so many others. It's gratifying, it's rewarding, and it's easy to look back on and enjoy. At the same time, I need to take a step back. What is really valuable to me in my life? In Essentialism, the push is to say "yes" to less and being more mindful of what you are doing along with why. Before, I was saying yes to everything without realizing it meant me saying no to my family in many situations.
After a long conversation with Kristina Mattis, I was reminded of my Macedonian roots and how little I work to understand them. Truth be told, my kids won't know anything of the culture outside of Baklava and a smattering of words in my vocabulary. That needs to change, and my Baba isn't getting any younger. As I watched Macklemore take his grandmother around town for her birthday, having a complete blast and laughing, I realized that this needs to happen. I'm typing this out with a well of fluid in my eyes so that I hold myself accountable to it: I'm flying out to Michigan and am going to give Baba a day she we will always remember and one I will never forget.
I talk all the time about taking care of yourself and treating yourself well, but haven't done it myself. To Robert and Kristina, thank you for playing a role in what I can only hope will be a change in my priorities.
Christopher Danielson once said "find what you love, do more of that" and that's exactly what I'm going to do. 2017-18 will be a lot more of that.
Happy "Finding What You Love" Fishing
RSS Feed
