The Daily Meaning

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“Your daily blog posts have become a great part of my morning routine, waking up and reading your posts challenge me to reflect on something that matters in my life or view something from a different perspective.”
"Love starting my morning with a daily dose of positivity or perspective!"

Daily Meaning Reader

Travis Shelton 3/2/25 Travis Shelton 3/2/25

The Tale of Two Women

Due to our own (multiple) failings, my family found ourselves in a precarious position a few days ago.

Travis Shelton 10/12/24 Travis Shelton 10/12/24

The Memory Paradox

There's a paradox with memories, though. Memories don't actually cost anything. Spending money isn't a prerequisite for creating memories. Now, if you want to create memories at an amusement park or concert, then yes, it will cost something. But spending money isn't what makes a memory.

Travis Shelton 10/1/24 Travis Shelton 10/1/24

Yes

We just wrapped up two days of amazing meetings at a rustic lodge about two hours outside Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. My head is spnning. As I attempt to write today's piece, all I can think about is the word "yes."

Travis Shelton 9/30/24 Travis Shelton 9/30/24

Be the Worst Person In the Room

I intentionally chose a provocative title for today's piece, but it's sincerely how I feel. It's an alternative way to view the old moniker: "You become the average of the five people you spend the most time with." These last few days, I've spent time with countless people who have made far more impact, have a much grander vision, and have made much deeper sacrifices in their journeys than I can ever imagine.

Travis Shelton 9/28/24 Travis Shelton 9/28/24

Slivers of Light in the Darkness

It's been 24 hours since I wrote yesterday's blog, meaning I should be enjoying the sights and sounds of Mongolia by now. That's not my reality, though. Instead, I'm sitting at the same table in the Chicago airport where I wrote yesterday's piece.

Travis Shelton 9/27/24 Travis Shelton 9/27/24

When In Rome

I love the expression "When in Rome." It encapsulates my perspective of and approach to travel. The moment I depart Chicago, I will set my Midwest American culture, norms, and preferences aside and embrace the culture I'm entering.

Travis Shelton 9/22/24 Travis Shelton 9/22/24

Pushing Boundaries

Things are scary....until they aren't.

Things are new.....until they become normal.

We don't know how to do something.....until we've done it.

Travis Shelton 9/7/24 Travis Shelton 9/7/24

She Completely Blanked

I ran into a former client at a coffee shop recently. I haven't seen her or her husband in upwards of three years. As we exchanged pleasantries, she exclaimed, "We did it!!!" To be honest, I had no idea what she was talking about.....so I asked for clarification. "The trip!!!" Ah, yes, the trip! I knew exactly what she was talking about!

Travis Shelton 8/18/24 Travis Shelton 8/18/24

“Throwing Away” a Career, Revisited

I'm grateful for my friend Anna, and I deeply admire how she took the path less traveled. It's not been an easy journey, but so many people have been blessed by her contributions to their lives.

Travis Shelton 8/2/24 Travis Shelton 8/2/24

But Not As a Lifestyle

I love everything about my time at the lake, but not as a lifestyle. What makes lake life (or insert any type of vacation here) awesome is the fact it's a treat. It's a pause from life. It's a reprieve from an otherwise crazy life. It's the reward for all the good work. It's an opportunity to rest up before jumping back into battle. The fact it's scarce is what makes it all that much sweeter.

Travis Shelton 7/12/24 Travis Shelton 7/12/24

Being Ungrateful Beings

Do you ever think about how much we take for granted? I think about this topic a lot, but never more than I have this week. Post-hurricane Houston has been a mess. I've spent most of the last three days in a 90-degree office with no electricity, no A/C, no lights, and no WiFi. Nothing. I didn't have a hotel for two days. Very few restaurants were open. People were waiting in line for hours to get gas. I sweat through my clothes for three straight days. It felt like my brain was melting onto the table.

Travis Shelton 6/25/24 Travis Shelton 6/25/24

Stumbling Into Memories

Yes, I was tired. Yes, I was hoping to take it easy. Yes, I had work to do. Yes, the heat index was 112 degrees. Yes, I had an early wake-up time the next morning. But when we stumble into memories, we must seize them!

Travis Shelton 5/21/24 Travis Shelton 5/21/24

Seeing It (Again) Through Their Eyes

Travis Shelton 5/11/24 Travis Shelton 5/11/24

Juicing Meaning With Tradition

Travis Shelton 5/5/24 Travis Shelton 5/5/24

Planned Impulsiveness

Some people are planners, and some people are impulsive. Both have pros and cons, but impulsive people are known for self-sabotage and occasional (or frequent!) irresponsibility. I

Travis Shelton 4/22/24 Travis Shelton 4/22/24

Find a Way to Get Away

I commented that it's wild (and disappointing) that Sarah and I haven't taken time away together in nearly a year. Each of these people had similar responses. "One year? My wife and I haven't gotten away since having kids." Both of these individuals have kids in the 10-13 year-old range. They haven't been away from their kids in more than a decade?!?!

Travis Shelton 3/12/24 Travis Shelton 3/12/24

It Doesn’t Have to Be a Grand Slam

Vacations don't have to be grand slams, if I can use a baseball analogy. Sometimes singles or doubles are in order.

Travis Shelton 3/10/24 Travis Shelton 3/10/24

A Different Way to Travel

One of the most pervasive myths floating around our society is that we NEED a credit card to travel. People believe this so much that they are willing to play Russian Roulette with our finances to make it happen.

Travis Shelton 1/30/24 Travis Shelton 1/30/24

A Glimpse Under the (Cruise) Hood

I've shared bits and pieces about our family's recent cruise vacation. Some of the finer details must have perked people's interest, as at least a half-dozen readers asked if I would be sharing more about the economics of the trip. There's a voyeuristic side in each of us, where we like hearing the details of other people's situations.

Travis Shelton 1/27/24 Travis Shelton 1/27/24

Capitalist Pigs

That's the entire point of capitalism. Someone creates a product, sets the price, and either people buy it or they don't.

The Daily Meaning

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“Your daily blog posts have become a great part of my morning routine, waking up and reading your posts challenge me to reflect on something that matters in my life or view something from a different perspective.”

"Love starting my morning with a daily dose of positivity or perspective!"