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 8/16/24 Travis Shelton 8/16/24

The Verdict Is In

"How's the midlife crisis treating you?" asked my friend Emma as I was getting out of my new (to me) 2006 Nissan 350Z. "It's going fantastic! Thanks for asking," I responded.

Travis Shelton 8/15/24 Travis Shelton 8/15/24

An Avalanche of Circumstance

Recently, I received a text from Jeff; he wanted to meet for coffee. When I walked into the mostly empty shop, I saw him sitting in the corner. His shoulders were uncharacteristically slumped, and his face was expressionless.

Travis Shelton 8/14/24 Travis Shelton 8/14/24

Blood Points

According to the most recent data released for the second quarter of 2024, 50% of credit card holders in the U.S. now carry a balance from month to month (i.e. they don't pay them off every month like everyone says they do).

Travis Shelton 8/13/24 Travis Shelton 8/13/24

Don’t Stop Celebrating

Oh yeah, don't stop celebrating. In the midst of all the bumps in the road, don't forget to celebrate.

Travis Shelton 8/12/24 Travis Shelton 8/12/24

No Such Thing As Normal

But that's the thing about "normal." I'd argue that "normal" doesn't really exist outside the perfect little scenario we construct in our imagination. Whether we like it or not, reality is anything but that stable and uneventful concept of "normal" in our brains.

Travis Shelton 8/11/24 Travis Shelton 8/11/24

Memories Are Free: Golden Curry Edition

I've been replaying that sequence of events in my head for more than 12 hours—the sequence of events that played out on my TV and the sequence of events that played out in my living room. I'm so grateful for that time Finn and I spent together, and I hope that memory is as vivid for him as it surely will be for me.

Travis Shelton 8/10/24 Travis Shelton 8/10/24

The Night Test

Do you sleep well at night?

Travis Shelton 8/9/24 Travis Shelton 8/9/24

Yes, Even You (and Me)

At the same time, I also confront a different type of reality: We ALL have something to offer. Yes, I have less experience than most of them. Yes, I'm making less impact than most of them (or at least that's what I tell myself!). Yes, I can surely learn a ton from sharing a meal with any one of them. But I have something to offer, too!

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

No Truly Original Ideas

I've been reflecting on the idea of ideas. We like to think our ideas are uniquely ours. After all, they do get formulated in our brains and projected from our mouths (or fingers, in the case of this blog). However, there are no truly original ideas. Every good idea is formed from a base knowledge, which is absorbed from all around us. Nothing I type of rant about on the podcast is truly my own.

Travis Shelton 8/7/24 Travis Shelton 8/7/24

Van Gogh, Via Hoag

When we think of people like van Gogh, we automatically assume he experienced the material riches any world-famous celebrity could have access to. That doesn't appear to be the case with van Gogh, though. By most accounts, his resources were limited, and he relied heavily on the financial support of family members.

Travis Shelton 8/6/24 Travis Shelton 8/6/24

Keep Zooming Out

As of yesterday's market closing, the U.S. stock market (S&P 500) is down 8.5% in less than three weeks. In a world that's supposed to provide a positive 8%-10% annual return, that recent development feels scary—very scary.

Travis Shelton 8/5/24 Travis Shelton 8/5/24

What Money Can’t Buy

Guys! Guys! Guys! I discovered a new parenting hack this week. Each night, Sarah and I told the kids they could stay up later.......if.......if they watched the Olympics with us. They were initially unhappy about this condition, but staying up late is staying up late.

Travis Shelton 8/4/24 Travis Shelton 8/4/24

The Confirmation of Mockery

One of my clients was disheartened when he walked into a recent coaching session. I could tell from the outset that something was amiss. When I asked him about it, he shared how his parents and friends were staunchly against his upcoming career shift.

Travis Shelton 8/3/24 Travis Shelton 8/3/24

A Different Kind of Currency

However, I do deal in a different kind of currency. Instead of dollars and cents, I get paid in impact and change. Helping other people live a more meaningful life is the beautiful compensation I receive from this work.

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 8/1/24 Travis Shelton 8/1/24

Addition By Non-Subtraction

We can land achievement after achievement after achievement, but if we make critical mistakes along the way, it can easily sabotage any progress we've earned. In a battle for excellence, mistakes are the x-factor that often determines success or failure.

Travis Shelton 7/31/24 Travis Shelton 7/31/24

Why Must You Taunt Me, Apple?

As I attempted to write today's post, my phone oddly and repeatedly reminded me of past photos. Hey look, Travis, it's a cute picture of Pax eating ice cream when he was 3! Travis, check out this handsome little 2-year-old Finny riding a boat. It was almost as if Apple and Father Time were teaming up to taunt me.

Travis Shelton 7/30/24 Travis Shelton 7/30/24

It’s Never Too Soon

One of the most common misconceptions about generosity in our culture is this false and toxic notion that we must achieve xyz goals before we turn on the giving spigot. We treat the topic as though giving is something relegated to rich people. And someday, if you become rich, perhaps you might give away a tiny portion of your riches, too.

Travis Shelton 7/29/24 Travis Shelton 7/29/24

The Eye Zooms Kill Me

Sarah and I have thoroughly enjoyed the first few days of the Olympics. Without question, my favorite moments are when the gold medalist is standing on the podium and their national anthem starts playing. Then, without fail, the broadcast zooms in on their eyes. Oh man, that kills me every time!

Travis Shelton 7/28/24 Travis Shelton 7/28/24

No Paybacks

On a recent trip to KC, Sarah and the boys visited the Truman Library. Pax wanted to purchase a souvenir, but he didn't have his money with him. Sarah, knowing he had at least that much money in his wallet at home, agreed to buy it for him and we would take the money out of his wallet when they returned home (i.e. pay it back). That's what happened, buyer’s remorse set in, and that's what ultimately led to the meltdown.

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!"