An Experiment In Leisure

I often write about my qualms with our cultural obsession with retirement. Specifically, our collective pursuit of a life of leisure. In theory, this is the secret to happiness and satiation, but in reality, it's just empty calories. Instead, what we should all be pursuing is a life filled with meaning. No, leisure isn't a bad thing, and we should all find ways to enjoy leisure along the journey. However, leisure for leisure's sake is ultimately an unsatiating endeavor.

This brings me to an experiment I recently conducted. In May, I decided to carve out a little extra time for leisure this summer. A few more trips, a few more low-key days. I didn't plan these trips and events methodically, but rather, slotted them in wherever they fit. The accidental consequence was a three-week stretch that included the following:

• 5 days in NYC with the family.

• A few days at home.

• A 3-day conference in Chicago to learn, grow, and enjoy.

• A few days at home.

• 8 days on the lake with the family.

I'm currently in the middle of my lake time with the family. We've had a great time together. Heck, I enjoyed NYC and the conference as well. It's all been wonderful. Just one problem: It's too much leisure! I can't even explain how much I miss my normal rhythm of work, productivity, and impact. I'm ready to get back into the grind.

Leisure is amazing, but just like chocolate chip cookies, Old Fashioneds, and the free breadsticks served at Fazoli's, too much of a good thing isn't a good thing. Leisure has its place, and that's properly sandwiched between good work.

These last three weeks have proven to me once again that traditional retirement is not the ticket to happiness. Leisure, without having something to leisure from, just doesn't hit as hard. As many of my friends and I have gotten older, I've explored this topic with many people. What should "retirement" look like? For me, it will likely take the form of full-time work, but with more trips. Maybe three weeks on, one week off. Or six weeks on, two weeks off. Maybe it will be one full-time job. Maybe it will be a series of smaller, part-time jobs. Maybe it will be running my companies. Maybe it will be doing consulting work, speaking, and/or writing. Maybe it will be volunteering.

I have no idea what that Travis will have in store for him. But one thing I do know is that leisure for leisure's sake is not in the cards. Leisure, yes. But leisure sandwiched between good work. That's the ticket.

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81 Years of “Boring”

My family enjoyed a Shelton family tradition last night: Nutty Bars in Okoboji. Okoboji is one of our favorite places in the world, and Nutty Bars are woven into the fabric of the Okoboji experience. To give you some context, Nutty Bars are small blocks of vanilla Blue Bunny ice cream with a wooden stick inserted, dunked in chocolate, and rolled in crushed peanuts. Simple, classic, delicious.

Finn’s very first bite of Nutty Bar, age 3.

I was recently talking to a fellow business owner about our anticipation of enjoying some Nutty Bars. “Their business is boring. They’ve literally been doing the same thing for 100 years. They haven’t innovated once.” He scoffed at the Nutty Bar stand……he might as well have insulted my sons!

81 years, actually. They’ve been doing the same thing for 81 years….since 1945. In a world where businesses come and go as often as we change underwear, 81 years is pretty amazing. And they don’t seem to be slowing down. Every time I’m there, hundreds of people are coming or going. I wish I knew more about their business, but they no doubt sell thousands of Nutty Bars each day.

The Nutty Bar stand practices something vitally important in business. They simply offer a consistently excellent product for an attractive price. Simple, consistent, excellent, and more valuable than it costs…..all four components are important. They’ve created a machine that puts smiles on hundreds of thousands of people’s faces, and I suspect they’ve been handsomely rewarded financially for that.

We don’t have to come up with a world-changing idea to be successful or impactful. Instead, we just need to find a way to implement the Nutty Bar formula in our own lives. Stay simple, be excellent, remain consistent, and add more value than we charge. Whether we’re business owners, self-employed, or employees, these values are the building blocks for a fruitful and impactful journey.

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Pizza, Pigeons, and Ice Cream

We concluded our amazing family trip to NYC yesterday, returning home satisfied and exhausted. During the car ride home from the airport, I asked the boys to name their favorite things from the trip. Pax jumped in quick and decisively:

• $1.50 pizza slices from a little place called Mr. Pizza.

• Ice cream (lots and lots of ice cream)

• Visiting the Statue of Liberty

• Playing on the beach (Coney Island)

Finn piped in next:

• Pizza

• Feeding the pigeons

• Riding the subway

• Coney Island roller coaster

I've written on many occasions about the idea that memories don't discriminate based on price. We, parents, love to assign value to activities, memories, and experiences based on how much they cost. I see it all the time in my coaching, and frankly, I'm occasionally guilty of it myself.

During our trip, we dined at some of the most famous restaurants in the city and even took in a Broadway show. The Broadway show was easily the most expensive thing we did, with a total price tag of $600. The boys enjoyed the show, but it didn't even come up when inventorying their top moments. I'll re-summarize their favorites:

• $1.50 pizza slices from Mr. Pizza: $1.50 (duh!)

• Ice cream: $6-$12....several times

• Statue of Liberty: $22/person

• Feeding the pigeons: Free

• Subway: $3/person

• Coney Island Roller Coaster (The Cyclone!): $10/person

• Coney Island Beach: Free

No, it wasn't a cheap trip. Flights, hotels, parking, transportation.....it added up. However, we parents need to give ourselves a break. We don't need to go all-in on fancy, elaborate events. The simplest ideas often win out. The most insignificant moments become the memories. The unexpected happenings between activities create the shared experiences.

In a moment of conviction, I asked Sarah if she regretted spending $600 on the Broadway show. "Not at all! I'm so glad we went." I'm glad one of us feels that way, and perhaps one day the boys will look back fondly at that experience as well. But in the meantime, I'm going to savor that trip....mostly the small little moments. So many beautiful little moments.

It's worth a reminder again today. We don't need to live for the big, elaborate, fancy, costly moments in life. Sure, those are cool; they have value. But we ought not miss the value and beauty in the simple, the small. Have an awesome day!

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Ellis Island: The Pursuit

Our family toured the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island yesterday. While the Statue of Liberty was a spectacle to see up close, Ellis Island deeply moved me. From the late 1800s to the mid 1900s, Ellis Island was the focal point of immigration into the United States. In total, more than 12 million people entered the country through that facility. To put its importance into context, nearly 80% of the approximately 1 million U.S. immigrants in 1903 entered the country through Ellis Island.

What moved me most at Ellis Island were all the personal testimonies of some of the 12 million people who entered the U.S. to start a new life. Like this one from Elizabeth Friedman, a 1914 immigrant from Russia: "When we got on the boat and closer to Ellis Island, we saw the Statue of Liberty. And we just hugged each other and cried." I can't even imagine the number of emotions that were going through that family as they waded into their new lives.

This next one moved me as well, but for a different reason. It was a 1985 interview quote from Sam Birnbaum, a Polish Jewish man who immigrated in 1907. "From the first minute that I got here I realized that I am in a country where I am a free man....I have a fighting chance to make a living. That means everything. I didn't realize it as much as I do now, but at that time it was a big thrill."

Here's what I love about his quote. He didn't talk about how all his dreams have been granted, and he'll get everything he wants. Instead, he celebrated his newfound freedom and acknowledged that he has "a fighting chance to make a living." He had hope and a desire to pursue the journey.

Another woman had a quote that reminded me of Mr. Birnbaum. If I remember correctly, it was a woman who immigrated from China in the early 1930s. "Before I came, I read the Declaration of Independence. There was one sentence that said 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.' I have the right to pursue happiness?!?! Wow, it changed my life."

She didn't say that her life was magically better or that all her problems were solved. She reveled in the idea that she now had the freedom and right to pursue happiness. She was ready for the journey.

I think we take for granted just how special our opportunity here in America is. We aren't guaranteed anything, but we live in a place where anyone can pursue their dreams, their aspirations, their callings. We're given the right to pursue the journey, to give it everything we've got. As I read testimonial after testimonial, I couldn't help but think about how entire family trees were fundamentally altered by the pursuits of these brave and ambitious immigrants. It boggles my mind to think about it. And if those folks were willing to step up to the plate with their newfound opportunities, why aren't we? For many of us, it's time to step into this beautiful opportunity before us. Not the promise of some set outcome, but the freedom to pursue the journey for better.

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Culture, One Bite at a Time

I received an interesting text after yesterday's post. "What's the point?" Very mysterious! I couldn't resist. "What's the point of what?" I responded to an old friend. "What's the point of spending money on travel and, more importantly, spending money on food while traveling? It seems wasteful."

Oh, now we're talking! What's the point? I think each person will have a different answer to this question, but my answer is simple: Culture. I'm obsessed with learning about and experiencing other people's cultures. Whether it's cultures here in America or in some of the most distant places on this planet, cultures fascinate me so much.

Why? It's hard for me to put my finger on it, but when I experience other cultures and learn who they are, it helps me better understand who I am. That may sound counterintuitive, but it makes sense in my head. I have my own culture, cultivated from my background, experience, and surrounding forces. It doesn't feel like culture because it's just called life. But to an outsider, it's culture. Therefore, when I experience other cultures, it helps put context around the world I'm not living in, and in turn, the world I do live in. Understanding cultures also helps us live with more empathy, compassion, and connection.

Food is a central part of culture. What we eat and how we eat it is deeply embedded in our respective cultures. One of the best and simplest ways to learn about culture is to eat what they eat. Their flavors. Their traditions. Their styles. Their habits. The same principles apply when I'm eating a cannoli in Little Italy as when I'm served fermented horse milk in Mongolia. Culture. History. Context. I love it! And through that process, it helps me learn about their story, my story, and our collective story. There's value in that.

I encourage everyone to travel and eat. Immerse yourself in someone else's culture, whether it's the state next door or somewhere on the other side of the globe. But travel, eat, grow. Embrace every opportunity you have to experience someone else's culture, and never take those moments for granted. One experience, one bite at a time.

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(Not) Running It Into the Ground

My family is in NYC for a few days. It's been so much fun watching the looks on the boys' faces as they experience the wonders of one of the greatest cities in the world. I feel like a kid every time I'm here, which makes it even more special to experience it with my own kids.

I love talking about travel. I talk about it with friends, clients, and whoever else will engage with me. Whenever that topic arises, I hear one common theme: It's impossible to manage costs while traveling......especially food. Heck, I have people regularly tell me that it's impossible for a family of four to dine out in the Midwest for less than $100, never mind what it would cost to eat in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

I couldn't disagree more with this narrative, and yesterday was a perfect example. Sure, we could have blown it out of the water and easily dropped $300. It would be a very easy lift to astronomically run up the tab. However, we decided to keep it simple.

We started by finding an awesome little bodega in Midtown Manhattan to get some sandwiches. I indoctrinated Pax into the sausage, egg, and cheese on a roll with salt, pepper, and ketchup club. Classic, and delicious. Then, we walked next door for a few massive slices of NY-style pizza. We finished the meal with a massive cookie from a local bakery. All in, $50. Not bad for dinner in the big city for a family of four.

I'm not saying this is what every family should do for every meal, but I want people to remember that it's possible to travel on a budget. It's possible to explore a city's food scene without blowing tons of cash or running up the credit card. Good food doesn't discriminate. Some of the best food in the world is cheap. Some of the most enjoyable meals on this planet are accessible without breaking the bank.

Get out there and explore. Try new things. Be curious. Dive into foods and cultures that might seem a little foreign to you. Just enjoy! However you choose to do it, you don't need to spend an arm and a leg. Bon appetit.

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Exhibit #975

I talk often about the hidden psychological forces that influence our daily habits and decision-making. These hidden forces play a much larger role in our lives than we'd like to admit, and most people won't admit it. Today, I'd like to talk about Exhibit #975. Is it really #975? Not sure....I'm just guessing at this point!

I recently stumbled upon a social media video in which a woman asked, "If you were offered a free vacation, but you weren't allowed to post any photos of the vacation on social media, would you still go?" She continued by saying that she would feel that a trip without social media photos would be "a waste," and thus would decline.

My first reaction to her question was, "Of course I’d go! In fact, I'd prefer not to share a single photo of my trip! Double win!"

I saw lots of similar remarks in her comments. However, the vast majority of people agreed with her. If you can't post photos of your trip on social media, what's the point? Thousands of people chimed in, arguing that there's not much of a point in going on a vacation if you can't share content from it. Many people said they'd rather pay to go on the same trip so they can post whatever they want.

Depending on the study, 45%-55% of Millennials and Gen Z care about their vacations looking good on social media. Some even select their travel destinations solely for the aesthetics of the soon-to-be social media posts. In other surveys, approximately 20% of people admit to posting photos to boast, while another 10% admit to posting photos to incite jealousy from their friends, family, and colleagues. Here’s another fun one. 75% of people say they get annoyed when friends and family post vacation photos, yet even so, 75% of those annoyed people will do the same by posting their own photos. It’s a social media arms race of vacation photos!

We, humans, are a weird bunch. Now, regardless of what side of the aisle you land on with this question, this is another piece of evidence illustrating just how much we're being influenced by culture. You and I might not be struck by this particular ridiculous affliction, but we're struck by some other, equally ridiculous afflictions. Somewhere, deep down in our psyche, we're being manipulated by a combination of our culture and our subconscious.

Maybe it's the vehicles we're buying. Maybe it's the houses we're living in. Maybe it's the clothes we're wearing. Maybe it's the clubs we're joining. Maybe it's the technology we're using. I'm not suggesting that we ought to stop being impacted by these forces. If we're human, it's inescapable. Instead, what I'm suggesting is that we become aware of it in our own lives. Once we have awareness, we can take it into account in our decision-making process and make better choices.

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Not Perfect, But….

One of my favorite parts of this World Cup season is seeing all the international fans experiencing America for the first time. The TikTok videos are amazing, and I thoroughly enjoy each one. There is discourse about the food, the people, the cultures, the geography, the freedoms, the scale, and the quirks. One overarching message is clear: America isn't like what they've been told all these years. People are viewing America through the lens of curiosity, wonder, and openness.....and they love it!

America isn't perfect, but it's pretty great. We have our failures, shortcomings, and baggage. You know who else does, too? Everyone! Every country carries failures, shortcomings, and baggage. I've been to nearly 40 countries over the past 20 years. Every country has amazing qualities. Every time I experience a new place, I revel in the little nuances that make it different, special. Whether it's the food, culture, people, or sights, I try to capture in my soul what makes it special.

There's a mourning that happens every time I leave a country. I know I'll miss it. I know I'll leave a piece of me there. I know that for decades, I'll have flashbacks to memories, moments, tastes, people, and sights. At the same time, though, it's always so good to return to U.S. soil. Each time I experience this cycle, I'm reminded that while America isn't perfect, it's pretty great.

I wish we could see America as these international fans have over the past few weeks. I wish we could take a step back and see our home with the same childlike wonder and awe. It's a pretty amazing place that we too often take for granted. Here's my encouragement to you. Leave America. Go see another culture. Embrace it, savor it, enjoy it. Soak up the food, the culture, and the awesomeness. Then, through that process, be reminded of what makes America great as well.

Happy 250th birthday, America!

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A Different Person

I ran into a close friend yesterday who had been following the blog over the last week while I was in Colombia. He asked a very interesting question: "How do trips like that impact you?"

In short, I sincerely believe I return from those types of trips as a different person. When we leave our personal bubbles and allow ourselves to be uncomfortable, it stretches us in ways that are hard to fully communicate.

Those types of experiences challenge everything we know to be true, everything we take for granted, and every bias we use to engage the world around us. Those types of experiences also call into question who we are as people, what our place in the world is, and how we can best serve the greater good. So yeah, I don't think it's hyperbole to say that we return as different people after trips like that.

My first trip out of the country was at age 26; to England and Ireland. Despite both of those countries being Westernized and English-speaking, that trip profoundly changed me. My small little mind couldn't believe how big the world was, yet at the same time, how small it was. That trip showed me that no matter what I thought I knew, I actually knew nothing. Fast forward twenty years, and I think I've been to upwards of 40 countries. Each trip, each location, and each experience changed me in a different way.

How did this trip change me? My takeaways are pretty clear:

• Even the biggest, most audacious dreams are possible. We don't get to decide what's possible. Only God can decide.

• Time is but a number. No matter how long or short something will theoretically take, reality doesn't care about projections. It will happen when it's supposed to happen.

• People don't have to be world-changers to change the world. Some of the largest impacts come from the smallest, most humble beginnings.

• Life is so, so fragile. We can't take our days for granted. Any day could be THE day.

• There are a lot of dark forces in the world, darker than we often see with the naked eye or while stuck in our bubbles.

• Relationships are the key to everything. I've known this, but this trip was another reminder of the sheer power and beauty of relationships.

• Everyone has a role. Each person on our team brought specific, non-replicable roles to the table. None of us could have filled the others' roles. Regardless of your role, it matters. Don't judge. Don't compare. Don't minimize yourself.

It's going to take me a few weeks to fully process everything that happened on this trip. However, it's safe to say that I'll never be the same after it. I'm a different person. God willing, a better person.

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Home is Home

I woke up in my own bed this morning. My head is still spinning after returning from a trip of a lifetime. It included three of the most surreal days of my life. I'm not even sure people would believe the stories if I told them. I am blessed beyond belief, and eternally grateful for every person I interacted with during my time in Colombia.

But I missed my wife. And I missed my boys. I missed our life together. No matter how good it is to see the world and endeavor to make an impact beyond ourselves, it's equally as good to return home. I'm looking forward to football in the backyard, movie snuggles on the couch, morning coffee with Sarah, video games with the boys, delicious drinks from my coffee shop, pizza at our nearby joint, and the normal work I'm blessed to do for those I'm blessed to serve. Home is amazing. Home doesn't need to be fancy, exotic, expensive, or luxurious. Home just needs to be home. Home needs to be the place where we can let go of all the stress and burden we carry on our shoulders, and engage those we love most in the simplest of ways.

I'm exhausted, but satisfied. Excited, but weary. Encouraged, but drained. Tired, but energetic. Heartbroken for the things I've seen, but hopeful for the same. My body fat percentage has probably jumped a few points after all this amazing Colombian food, but I'm looking forward to locking back into my habits and practices. I'll miss my Colombian friends, but will welcome my American friends. Both sides of the equation are needed otherwise appreciate the other. I needed to be reminded of that this week. I've carried many heavy burdens these last few months, and this trip no doubt jarred some perspective into me. The job is not complete. In fact, it's only beginning.

Home is an amazing place. We ought not take it for granted. I can't wait for my next trip to Colombia, but in the meantime, I'm going to appreciate home all the same. On a related note, I'm probably going to get a knee-drop to the chest by a stinky little boy any moment now and nearly die from the pain. I'm really looking forward to that. I miss those errant and reckless 9-year-old knees knocking the wind right out of my lungs. I hope you have a great day, and please, please, please never take home for granted. It should be a special place for us all.

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Kristian, I Want to Play a Game

Yesterday was my final full day in Colombia. I woke up in a hotel connected to a shopping mall in a city called Neiva. After a productive morning of meetings, we packed our bags and headed into the mall for lunch. I gotta tell you, the energy in that mall was electric! Literally thousands of people were there shopping, eating, drinking, playing, and conversing. It reminded me of America’s vibrant mall culture in the late 90s. Safe to say I was digging it!

After realizing that almost every other restaurant and food court was absolutely slammed, the team selected a quieter little restaurant within the mall. Immediately after being seated, we started scanning the menu. 

I have a rule when I travel abroad. I won’t eat anything that I am familiar with or can readily get in America. One of the best ways to learn someone’s culture and build relationships is through shared experiences with THEIR cuisine. 

“Kristian, I want to play a game.” Kristian is the husband of our team leader. He and I had some fun bonding time this week, and I knew our time was coming to an end (which is always sad). I explained to him that I wanted him to order me whatever he was going to order for himself, and not tell me anything about it. I wanted to be surprised, then enjoy. No limits, no rules. 

Every time each of us sits down at a restaurant, we bring our biases, fears, and experiences to the table. Subconsciously, our minds tell us to find something familiar, something comfortable. I would do it, too! But when we treat it as a game and make ourselves uncomfortable by throwing away the rule book, amazing things can happen. 

After a bit, the server delivered the most beautiful-looking dish to me. As was the case with nearly every meal I had in Colombia, it was amazing and it offered a great opportunity to bond over the experience. Kristian won the game, but I was the real winner for having such a special opportunity to learn more about Colombian culture and further build those relationships. 

Nearly every meal this week was a game, an opportunity, a blessing. Yes, this post is about food. But food is never really about food. It’s about connection, experiences, memories, and relationships. Most of us probably won’t be visiting another country this week, but here is my challenge. Next time you have a chance to experience a meal with someone (even your spouse or your children), seize the opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and create a unique memory together. You may or may not like the dish you’re served, but those memories, experiences, and relationships will persist for decades!

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Palmful of Coffee

115 years ago, a Christian missionary in the Mizoram region of India asked a simple question that would unknowingly create a ripple effect spanning generations. He recognized that the people in this region were some of the poorest he had ever seen. It was a community in a continual and profound state of need. Scarcity was the norm, and dependency from the outside was a given.

Everyone has something to give, he taught them. "What do you have?" he asked. Rice. While people had very little, most people had rice. Through his teachings, the villagers began to shift their mindset. Instead of dwelling on what they didn't have, people started focusing on what they did have. And in this region, families had rice. The women prepared the meals for their families while the husbands worked the farms. Each time the women prepared a meal, they set aside a handful of rice. Then, on Sunday, the women would bring the rice to church and give it on behalf of their families.

What seemed like an innocent and small gesture turned into a tidal wave. The church used this rice to care for the disabled, widowed, and elderly, as well as fund ministry. Before long, the church grew exponentially. More people jumped into this new way of living, coined Bhufai Tham (Handful of Rice), and it changed everything. They were no longer as dependent upon support from outsiders. They now care for each other like never before, and the number of Christians has exploded. 115 years later, that church is still thriving. Generations of people share the story of how they were raised with the principles of Bhufai Tham.

Four years ago, my friend and mentor, Gary Hoag, stumbled into a conversation with a pastor that would spark an entirely new movement. However, instead of India, it was Malawi, and instead of rice, it was maize. Similar to the folks in northeast India, many people in Malawi live in a perpetual state of need. People are hungry, and there's a strong dependence on the West. Again, Gary echoed the question, "What do you have?" Maize, people had maize. His team, in coordination with collaborators throughout Malawi, launched Palmful of Maize.

A curriculum was developed to teach children in churches and schools about generosity and the principles of giving what they have. Every home has a bag of maize. To apply what they have learned, every child brings a palmful of maize to church on Sunday. To spread the impact, each child is challenged to encourage friends to do it, too. What happens with the maize? 80% is used to care for people (Mercy), 10% to spread the Gospel (Mission), and 10% for the growth of the church (Management). Within months, communities started meeting their own needs. Instead of having a scarcity mindset and living in a state of dependency, the vision has empowered local generous giving.

To give you a sense of the impact, Malawi has about 20 million people, of whom about 9 million are children. In just three years, this curriculum has been directly taught to 1.1 million children throughout the country, with another 2.3 million children being exposed to it. That equates to 1/3 of the children in the country! In just three short years, these principles and practices have already begun to bend the culture of Malawi. Gary and his team made a video to illustrate the impact, and the word spread globally.

Three years ago, on the other side of the world, in Colombia, a woman named Esther heard about it and started praying. She wanted to see a similar vision spread among Colombia's indigenous coffee farmers (producers of some of the best coffee in the world). She and members of Gary's team mapped out a proposal and floated it by a foundation, but it gained no traction. It just sat there, but Esther kept praying.

In January 2025, during a periodic Zoom call, Gary Hoag and I were chatting about faith, work, and family. Knowing I'm strongly tied to coffee, he mentioned this idea in passing and said he would send me some information. A few days later, I received a PDF about the vision, "Palmful of Coffee." Nobody knew this, but I kept that document open on my laptop screen for weeks. Every few days, I'd re-read it. I couldn't shake it. By April, during another one of our periodic Zoom calls, Gary asked me if I had a chance to read the proposal. He shared that the team had come together, but they still needed the resources to bring it to life.

"I'm in!" I blurted out, interrupting Gary's update. I already knew I was called to do this, but I didn't realize until many weeks later that my abrupt "I'm in!" outburst set the wheels in motion for the adventure of a lifetime. I told Gary that if resources were the key roadblock, I would personally ensure they were taken care of. I didn't know how, but if financial resources were the bottleneck preventing Esther's vision from coming to life, I needed to trust God and step into it. Two days later, the initiative was green-lit, and I had a plane ticket to Medellin, Colombia.

Last May, I spent three days with Gary, Esther, and 12 others, including coffee farmers, pastors, and other influential workers representing all three regions of Colombia's coffee triangle. Hour by hour and day by day, the vision came to life. Similar to India and Malawi, we will endeavor to create a give-what-you-have culture amongst Colombia's indigenous coffee farmers. A culturally contextual Sunday School curriculum will be created and slowly rolled out throughout the country, teaching children and families these same principles. Palmfuls of coffee will be collected and used to care for people, spread the Gospel, and grow the church. Or, as one of my indigenous Colombian friends said, "Return dignity to the coffee farmers."

May 2025 - Our team! We spent a day working on a local coffee farm just outside Medellin. It was absolutely beautiful!

As previously mentioned, I personally vouched for the resources: $150,000 over three years (approximately $50,000 per year). This month marks the end of year 1. Investing nearly every ounce of our family’s financial margin in this endeavor for the past 12 months has been one of the greatest challenges and greatest joys in Sarah and my marriage. It's forced us to make difficult decisions and live a very different life. We don't regret any of it, as we are blessed to sow seeds of generational change. The first version of the curriculum has been created and is presently being piloted by a handful of churches in one region of Colombia. I have the distinct honor of attending the final sermon of our new curriculum and the annual coffee harvest celebration in a Colombian village later today and tomorrow.

I've never been more excited about anything in my life. I regularly talk about the idea of pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zone and being part of something bigger than ourselves. That's what this represents for me. This is also my invitation to you. Would you partner with us? Would you say "yes" to being part of something bigger than you and me? Are you interested in setting wheels into motion that could have a ripple effect for generations?

If so, would you consider making a financial gift toward this vision? I think it would be amazing for this Daily Meaning community to rally together to achieve something that will transform this world! It will be part of our collective legacy forever.

If you want to get in the game and make a financial gift, you can do so HERE. Gary's organization, Global Trust Partners (registered 501(c)(3)), is facilitating the financial management of Palmful of Coffee, and as such, all gifts are tax-deductible. After you click the link above, just tick the box "Palmful of Coffee Colombia" to designate your gift.

If you want to learn more about Handful of Rice, you can watch a short video HERE.

If you want to learn more about Palmful of Maize, you can watch a short video HERE.

If you have any questions or want more information, please e-mail me at thedailymeaning@gmail.com.

Thanks in advance for your consideration and partnership. This is going to be a beautiful journey together!

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Comfort Is the Enemy

My favorite line from one of my keynote talks is, "Comfort is the enemy of progress, and failure is the admission price to success." We live in a culture that's obsessed with comfort. We seek comfort at all costs. We use our time, resources, influence, and experience to obtain whatever comfort is available to us. In fact, many facets of comfort have become status symbols for "winning" in this country.

On the flip side, despite my undeniable human attraction to comfort, I detest it. About a decade ago, I realized that comfort was the primary factor in preventing me from living my calling, my purpose. The pursuit of comfort often forces us to make decisions that subvert our ability to make an impact and find meaning. Comfort is a drug that sedates us, medicates us, lulls us into a complacent state.

Today, I'm embarking on a new adventure. I'm going somewhere I've never been, engaging with people I’ve never met. I'm about to be tremendously uncomfortable. I'll be the only person who doesn't know the language. Nearly 100% of my communication will be via translators. Will they accept me? Will they like me? Will they respect me? Will they value my ideas? These are all natural thoughts that stem from aggressively pursuing discomfort. Heck, I've been uncomfortable for a few weeks just thinking about it.

Despite all that, I also understand the flip side. Without discomfort, I have no chance of making a difference. Without discomfort, I'm waiving my right to create impact. Without discomfort, life simply wouldn't be as rich.

In a matter of hours, every aspect of "normal" will turn on its head. I'm not ready for it, yet at the same time, I couldn't be more ready. I crave the awe, wonder, and curiosity that discomfort brings. It will be scary....it will be amazing. It will be trying.....it will be beautiful.

Comfort is the enemy. Discomfort is our friend. I look forward to sharing more about this journey over the next week. Blessed to have you here.

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She Time, Me Time

Sarah leaves for a cruise today. Yeah, just Sarah. The boys and I will be at home living our normal lives while Sarah and her friend bask in the Caribbean sun.

"It's really nice you let your wife do something like that," said one friend.

Another friend mentioned to me, "Zero chance this would fly in our house."

A third friend exclaimed, "I can't believe you’re okay with her going on vacation without you!"

These comments felt odd to me. I think it's amazing that Sarah is taking a week to get some rest and relaxation with a friend. She needs it. We all need time away! I also know that when the tables are turned, she will be just as supportive of me stepping away to get some rest.

Some people dwell on the financial aspect. After all, I make 99.9% of our family's income. And here Sarah is spending our travel money on herself while I'm stuck at home?!?! The keyword there is "our" travel money. We're a team. We do this together. The fact that we're able to afford her a fun trip with a friend is a blessing I don't take for granted. Further, I hold zero jealousy or resentment toward her for spending money on this. That's what the money is for!

I think it's critically important that we all find time to get away. It doesn't have to be a cruise. Often, my time away looks like a short 1-2 night trip to a nearby city for a personal retreat. I get lots of sleep, eat good food, watch movies, and write. I find this time to be a beautiful reset amidst an otherwise chaotic life.

I think we each need to find our own rhythm. However, the biggest obstacle standing in our way is often our spouse. Spouses, help your partner get some time. Not only should you not discourage it, but you should champion it. Initiate the idea. In many cases, our partners feel guilty leaving, and our encouragement is what's needed to give them the freedom to go.

I hope Sarah has a blast on her trip! In the meantime, the boys and I will have a great week here at home. Hope you have a great day!

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An Actually Positive TikTok Challenge

Whenever the phrase "TikTok challenge" is mentioned, anything that comes next is going to be disgusting. Two cars crashing through our Northern Vessel shop doors is great evidence of that.

Today, however, I want to share an actually positive TikTok challenge with you. As I was scrolling through my feed recently, I stumbled upon an awesome little clip. A parent, on the backside of the camera, asked their child, in camera view, a simple question: "What did you get for Christmas last year?"

The kid had a deer-in-headlights look. You could see his little brain working overtime to process this question. After about five seconds, nothing. He couldn't think of a single gift he received last Christmas.

The parent then asked another question: "Where did we go on vacation this year?"

The boy's eyes lit up, and he quickly started listing off all the adventures they went on and memories they made. His little mouth couldn't keep up with his brain. It was almost like he was reliving those memories in real time.

Interesting, isn't it? I've now seen dozens of these videos pop up in my feed, each with similar results. Kid after kid after kid went blank when asked about receiving physical gifts, but then immediately lit up with excitement when asked about experiences and memories.

Experiences over things. This is one of the hallmark principles of living a meaningful life. There's certainly nothing wrong with stuff. We all have some stuff in our lives. Cool stuff. But the stuff isn't what will ultimately provide us with meaning. It's the experiences and memories that add a richness to life that's unparalleled. Yeah, the science proves this to be true. Over and over, science has proven this. However, I'm not asking you to even trust the science. Trust the faces of your kids. They will tell you everything you need to know.

Happy shopping!

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Investing In Two Little Banditos

Amidst one of the most challenging stretches of my last five years, I was able to carve out a few days to travel to Chicago with my family. The goal? Attend a Twenty One Pilots show for Finn and Pax's ninth birthday. It cost money, time, rest, and several other not-insignificant sacrifices. It, along with many other things, has added a tremendous amount of pressure to my life.

All that being said, it was so good to lock in a new memory with my kids. We had a blast at the concert (their third Twenty One Pilots concert to date). There's nothing like watching their excitement build, then experience the payoff, one song after another. They screamed, sang, laughed, and reacted with awe. It was amazing.

There are a lot of things I could have used with this money, time, and bandwidth, but I'm glad I invested all of that into making memories with the kids.

That's the tension we face each day. There's always something that needs our money. There's always an obligation that needs our time. There's always a pressure that requires our bandwidth. There's always something that needs some of our something. If we're not careful, we'll get so lost in the needs that we forget about the other important things in life.

Last night, though, the other important things got addressed in my life. I'm grateful for that, and hopefully, it will provide memories that last a lifetime.

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Your Ideal Reset

My family recently had its annual summer vacation. We take several random trips throughout the year, but this is our sixth year taking this specific trip. It's the highlight of our family's summer, and an event most highly anticipated by all four of us.

Including travel days, we were gone for eight days. If you ask Sarah, she would say that a few more days would be perfect. If you ask me, two to three fewer days would be perfect. Even while having the best time in the world, I start going stir crazy by day six. It's not that I take it for granted or don't love it, but by that time, my mind and body are ready to get back to work.

A study conducted in 2012 found that, on average, the ideal length for a vacation is eight days. That's when we achieve maximum satisfaction before the law of diminishing returns kicks in. If you're not familiar with the law of diminishing returns, think about a delicious apple pie. That first slice is amazing! The second slice is also pretty fantastic! The third slice, though? That third slice starts to make us feel a little lethargic. What about the fourth slice? The fourth slice makes us queasy. What about the fifth? We're in a coma. Somewhere between the first slice and the second slice is peak satisfaction, which begins to diminish after that until we become worse off.

Vacations are the same. After a certain amount of time away, we achieve our peak satisfaction from our trip. Then, the law of diminishing returns kicks in. In my particular situation, I hit that point around day six. I NEED to get back into life and rhythm. I NEED to serve people again. I NEED to re-engage with my company.

The law of diminishing returns is one of the key reasons I vehemently disagree with the notion of early retirement. For those who believe that a life of leisure is the prescription to happiness, the law of diminishing returns has some bad news for you. In practice, a life of leisure eventually becomes empty and unfulfilling.....like that fourth and fifth slice of delicious apple pie. Too much of a good thing can become a very bad thing.

The alternative, though, can be beautiful. A mix of work and play, time on and time off, serving people well before getting a reset, pushing hard and then resting. It's a give and take. We don't have to grind ourselves into a pulp so that we can eventually take our ball and go home. My biggest encouragement is for people to find a permanently sustainable rhythm that you never want to retire from. How amazing would that be!?!?

What about you? What's your ideal vacation timeline? Sarah votes for 10 days. I vote for 5 or 6. The data says 8. What say you?

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Our Eyes Deceive Us

One of my favorite parts about creating content is the fact it will, in theory, live forever. Every once in a while, I'll receive an e-mail, DM, or text from someone who recently stumbled upon something I published years ago. Those are always fun days for me. A few days ago, I had a similar experience when I ran into a close friend at an event.

"Travis, I can't believe you and Sarah spent $1,000/month on travel! That seems like a lot. An irresponsible a lot."

He was referring to episode 240 of our Meaning Over Money Podcast, which was published two years ago. His wife recently listened to the episode and now thinks they should budget $1,000/month for travel. Translation: He's semi-angry at me for causing his wife to want more travel money.

"And you think $1,000 is too much?" I asked him.

He confirmed that, yes, $1,000 is a stupid and reckless amount to spend on travel.

"It's funny you would say that, considering you and your wife easily spend 2-3x that amount."

He was confused. I could tell he wanted to be defensive, but he was waiting for what I had to say next.

"You just went to Disney, right? Let's do some mental math and figure out how much that trip cost."

About 90 seconds later, we landed on a total rough number: $13,000.

"And you and your wife went to a resort a few months ago, right?"

We did some more quick math: $5,000.

"What other trips have you taken in the last 12 months?"

He comes up with a handful of other trips, some small and some medium-ish.

It was a fun exercise. After about 10 minutes, we tallied what felt like a complete prior-12-month travel number: $41,000.

His eyes got pretty big. $41,000 on travel over a 12-month period! Put into monthly terms, that's about $3,400/month, every month, for the entire year. Remember, this conversation started with him believing my family's $1,000/month travel budget was irresponsible.

No, he wasn't trying to be a hypocrite. No, he wasn't trying to be a jerk to me. The truth is, our eyes deceive us. Our brains are wired in such a way that we easily lose context depending on how something is framed. In his financial life, things are framed through the lens of no budgeting, impulsive trips, and rampant credit card use. Therefore, no thought goes into their travel. They decide they want to go, they just go, they spend whatever they spend, then they pay it off upon returning.

$1,000/month feels like a lot of money because it happens every month. In his world, it looks more like $0, $0, $0, an unknown trip cost, $0, another unknown trip cost, $0, $0, yet another unknown trip cost, etc. It's a lot of zeroes and a lot of unknowns, which add up to $41,000 in no time.

Two key takeaways today: 1) We must continually strive to view things through a proper lens. Context always matters. 2) We need to be intentional, thoughtful, and disciplined with our finances. The absence of either creates chaos and leakage, but the presence of both leads to less stress, more peace, and a greater sense of meaning. Happy travels!

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Memory Hacking

Between my travels, Sarah's travels, and Finn and Pax's travels, we haven't all been together as a family much lately. We're just now entering the part of summer where we'll get a lot of quality time together. Simultaneously, however, I have a behavioral quirk. As much as I try, I can't seem to shut off my motor when I'm at home. My wheels are always turning, and I go stir-crazy. I'm not proud of this, but I have come to recognize it for the problem it is.

With Sarah and the boys arriving back home around lunch yesterday, combined with me simultaneously finishing up a big client project and the fact that it was 100+ degrees outside, we decided to do a little memory hacking. We didn't have the time or budgeted funds for a major trip, so we decided to engineer a little staycation. We rented a hotel room in a different part of our metro and dedicated the day to making new memories.

• We stopped at Northern Vessel to pick up some CBLs and visit with the team.

• We shopped at the mall (the first time the boys have ever done that). Finn bought a new Minecraft Lego set, and Pax purchased a pair of football pants. Both were pleased with their decisions.

• We spent hours in the hotel pool (between stints in the hot tub).

• We shared a wonderful meal at a Mexican restaurant adjacent to our hotel (family style, of course).

• We ended the night with ice cream.

Out of the blue, while at dinner, Finn piped up, "Thank you so much for today, Mom and Dad. Today was one of my favorite days ever." Wow! That was so sweet for him to say. If I'm being honest, yesterday didn't feel particularly special. Nothing exotic, nothing wild, nothing expensive. Just a lot of intentionality. The kids felt it. They had a blast and showed much gratitude. Boy, we needed that.....I needed that.

Today, we'll leave the hotel and head directly to a local waterpark for day two of our little staycation. We're all excited; hopefully, many more memories will come.

Whatever is on your agenda today, I hope you find a way to engage in some memory hacking. It doesn't have to be extravagant or profound. Intentionality is the key ingredient. Cheers to a great day and lots of memories.

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Seeking Quick Hitters

Whenever the idea of vacations comes up, people tend to think about it through the lens of these week-long, break-the-bank, profound experience vacations. Sure, those are awesome! There's nothing quite like a plane ride to a foreign place, eating interesting foods, experiencing new cultures, and seeing fascinating sights. But these types of trips require a hugecommitment in the form of time away, energy planning, and/or money spent. Therefore, if we can't afford one of these commitments, we often concede defeat and make peace with the reality we aren't going on vacation.

I'm a huge fan of quick hitters. These are smaller trips that may not be as sexy as a stereotypical vacation, but can offer many of the same benefits for a fraction of the cost. My family is doing a quick hitter as we speak! With zero planning and very little notice, we decided to take a 24-hour mini-trip to Omaha to celebrate the beginning of spring break. Here's a fun little breakdown of the trip:

• 2-hour drive each way: $30 in gas

• 1 night in a downtown hotel: $140

• Hotel parking: $15

• 3 hours of hotel swimming: Free

• Window shopping at a vintage toy store: Free (and priceless!)

• Dinner at an Italian restaurant: $60

• Ice cream at an iconic little shop: $15

• Shopping at one of the coolest candy stores on the planet: $20

• Hotel breakfast: Free

• A few more hours of hotel swimming: Still free

• Walking around a historic downtown book store: Free

• Stop by the children's museum: Free (with reciprocity from our city's science center pass)

• Pastries at a famous little bake shop on the way out of town: $20

$300. That's a lot of memories packed into 24 hours and $300. We don't have to break the bank to create memories and share experiences with those we love. Would I rather be exploring Asia or the Middle East? Absolutely! But that's not in the time or financial budget right now. Therefore, we're going to enjoy the heck out of these little quick hitters when we get them.

I hope you have some epic trips in your future, but don't overlook the quick hitters. They can really move the needle, create tremendous memories, and help get a much-needed reset. Have a great day!

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