Time

November 29, 2015 by Scott Todnem

The concept of time is an illusion. Life is an eternal present moment.

All that we have is now. What happened in the past is done. It only exists in our minds. And what happens in the future, we will have only that idea in our minds.

No one knows how much time they have here. We all hope and assume a wonderful life in old age, but what about now. Because truly, and as cliché as it sounds, that is all that we’ve got. What’s happening now, and now, and now, isour life. What we experience today, in every facet, we will never get back.

Learning to Lead

November 06, 2015 by Scott Todnem

I clearly remember sitting in the gym at my high school graduation and being confused as I noticed the eyes of the audience members which had turned to look at me.

The people on stage had just announced that they were presenting the American Legion Award for Leadership (which wasn’t surprising, given the nature of the ceremony) and that I had won it (which was, given the nature of my four years at RHS). I had never really considered myself a leader, more of a class clown. For some reason, that moment had a very profound and lasting impact on my life.

Fast forward through five years of college, I emerged (after four changes of my major) as a bright-eyed, first year teacher and coach.

It’s Never Too Late to Dream

October 19, 2015 by Scott Todnem

As children we’re encouraged to dream. “Reach for the stars” is what we’re told. We’re encouraged to let our dreams be limitless.

Then, somewhere along the course of this crazy thing called life our dreams become altered. Somewhere along the lines it goes from “reach for the stars” to “reach for what is obtainable.” Somewhere along the lines, our dreams go from what makes us happy, to what is necessary to survive.

As a child, my dream was to be a writer.

Thoughts in Austin

October 15, 2015 by Scott Todnem

If I’ve learned one thing about picking up and leaving everything I love behind for a fresh start, it’s that you don’t need anyone to get you through it but yourself.

Only you can choose a path of positivity or negativity, love or fear.

Pain and Relief, Bundled

October 15, 2015 by Scott Todnem

Some of us are better equipped to deal with what feels like failure, and yet others can be so consumed emotionally and physically that starting from scratch just feels like what we do in life. Again and again we pick up, move on and decide what parts of our past experience are valuable enough to hold on to… and which parts we’d rather leave behind.

Most of us would probably agree that in some form or another, we are shaped by our past-- our life experiences, positive or negative, have a conditioning effect as we begin again.

Reckoning Home

October 14, 2015 by Scott Todnem

Sometimes something so big happens that you can’t really understand it all at once.

Yet you must move forward, go through the motions – life is not optional. The sun rises and sets, rises and sets, with or without your head in the game. And that is where you find me here.

My mother died in March – she was the last piece of my original family.

Starting From Scratch with Three Things

October 12, 2015 by Scott Todnem

Tradition stands in my family. The symbolism here is that while we were making breakfast from scratch, my sister and I were also starting our relationship from scratch. We had moments of peace in that breakfast where we both respected the tradition. We got to eliminate the distance between us and look at each other face-to-face instead of over Skype or email and get re-acquainted with each other’s human side.

We softened to the situation.

Learn All the Things, All the Time, Everywhere, Everyday

October 08, 2015 by Scott Todnem

Starting over at a new high paying job in a position that suits your attributes perfectly may make you nervous but it is also exciting; inversely, finding out you have lost your job with no prospects in sight in the future can dramatically change that experience to a freighting one. There is a third situation where people try to actively seek out new experiences willingly just for the excitement of it. These people are typically considered thrill seekers who just can't get enough of pushing the limits of their bodies, minds and their loved ones nerves.

In some instances the people who seek new experiences aren't out to conquer the world performing dangerous acts, but may show up as multiple carriers or hobbies. I fall into the latter category.

The Wonder of a New Day

October 07, 2015 by Scott Todnem

Watching my almost toddler play outside this morning and being entirely too energetic and excited for 7am, I started thinking about how she views the world (and the morning), in comparison to how I view it.

She wakes up laughing (much earlier than my son ever did) and calling out for one of us to come in and get her out of bed. She giggles and plays while she eats her breakfast and watches a cartoon while we get ourselves ready for the day.

Slip-ups

October 06, 2015 by Scott Todnem

That was their world, but Larry and Veronica always kept an eye on the next step. Smiling together at night, after the kids were all home and safe in their beds, about the places they’d go and the things they’d see.

By 50, the kids were off at college, or married or moved away. The looming prospect of time to themselves seemed delicious and within their grasp.

Years of financial planning, saving and being patient so when the time came they would be able to go where they wanted, when they wanted and live out the rest of their days how they wanted had been their focus.

There’s no clear moment, looking back now, when it all changed.