Glamptuary Gratitude - Top 10 Things To Be Thankful For - 2023 Edition
AS 2023 COMES TO CLOSE, AND AS I LOOK BACK AT ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED, I SMILE WITH GRATITUDE.
THE FOLLOWING LIST IS A CURATED COLLECTION OF EVENTS, PEOPLE, HAPPENINGS, ANIMALS, AND PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT OCCURRED IN 2023 THAT I FEEL WONDERFUL ABOUT.
THE YEAR WASN’T ALL ROSES. THERE WERE STRUGGLES. AND THROUGH THOSE STRUGGLES, THERE WAS GROWTH.
THIS ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS SOME OF THAT GROWTH, WITH AN OPTIMISTIC LOOK AT THE FUTURE.
Me climbing Looking Glass Arch near Moab, Utah
I said this last year, and I’ll happily say it again, I have a lot to be grateful for this year.
The picture above was taken during a climb I took this summer at Looking Glass Arch in Moab, Utah. This picture symbolizes where I feel I’m at in life. I’m on a beautiful journey, with a beautiful goal I’m climbing towards. The path is not certain. There have been struggles along the way, with more ahead. I’m happy with where I’m at. And I want to share my gratitude with you all.
So without further adieu… here are my top 10 things I’m thankful for in mostly random order:
1. My Dad’s victory over cancer
This is at the number 1 spot by design. The diagnosis came in January and the official victory was confirmed in May. Thanks to the swift and excellent care by the surgeons and staff at The Mayo Clinic, I have more time with my Dad. I’m most grateful for this in 2023. The rest is icing on the cake.
Me and Dad
2. My son Brandon got engaged
Reversing the generational lens on 2023 events, I was able to celebrate as a Dad when my son proposed to his girlfriend this summer. She said yes! I love his fiancé and am excited for what the future holds. Well done son.
Me and my Son Brandon
3. Glamptuary received it’s official Trademark
Recognition feels good. Especially coming from the USPTO. I have big plans for Glamptuary and this certainly brings me one step closer to where I want to be, and what I want to be doing.
4. Launched and completed 2 seasons of The Glamptuary Podcast
Glamptuary began as a blog, and has evolved into a blog PLUS a podcast in 2023. In addition to broadcasting on the Glamptuary website, we’re also on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts, Youtube and Pandora Podcasts. Our guests have included famous travel influencers, multiple glampsite owners, experiential travel industry experts, an Emmy Award winning Director, and an Airbnb contest winner who let us follow along on her journey as she opened her first Glamptuary. I learned so much during the first two seasons and am excited for what’s to come in season 3! Thank you to ALL the wonderful guests who graciously donated their time, and wisdom, to us all.
5. Visited 6 Glamptuarys
I’d love the number of Glamptuary visits to be higher, and I’m also grateful to have had the opportunity to visit as many as we did. During our visits in 2023, my wife and I won a Cowboy Curling championship, repelled down a 100’ canyon in Moab, soaked in mineral springs, and rafted through the Royal Gorge. We met some wonderful people, learned some new things, and created memories that will last a lifetime. And…we’re excited for our upcoming Glamptuary visits in 2024…
6. Wrapped production on a 10 month project
One of the reasons I am not always visiting Glamptuarys…is because I also work as an Executive Producer creating content. It’s how I’m able to keep Glamptuary funded, and how I continue to be a contributing member of my family. In 2023, I had the pleasure of working with a wonderful agency in Minneapolis, MN creating content for one of their biggest clients. The work goes live in early 2024, and I can’t wait to share when when it does. I’m grateful for the opportunity extended by folks I am now proud to call friends at SOLVE.
From left: Kara, Kathleen and Brian at SOLVE with me
7. Finished a new resin + black walnut coffee table
During my career as a Producer, I’ve met thousands of people and one of those people became a furniture client in 2023. In addition to being a producer, I am also a furniture craftsman. And I was fortunate enough to work on a fabulous, and challenging project in 2023. My good friend David commissioned me to make a table that symbolized a dive site he frequented with his late father-in-law. He wanted a table that honored a man he respected, and a place they both loved for scuba diving. The result is something I am very humbled and proud to be a part of. Thank you David.
8. Sobriety from alcohol
What makes it possible for me to work as an executive producer, and a wood-worker, run a blog, run a podcast, be a Husband, be a Dad, be a dog-dad, be a friend, be a brother, and be a nice person…is by being alcohol free. My last drink was in the summer of 2021 and I don’t miss alcohol a bit. For me, it was time to move on. Alcohol wasn’t serving my purpose in life anymore. I’m grateful for where I am, and where I came from. And I’m excited for where I’m headed.
9. My Wife and Dogs - My Family
My rocks. My ride-or-dies. I couldn’t do anything that I do without the love and support of my family. Thank you for your love, for being up for crazy adventures, for putting a genuine smile on my face, for being a part of my life, and for granting me the opportunity to be a part of yours.
From back and left to right: Me, Christina, Kazan and Wally
10. The future
I’m excited for it. All of it. The struggles. The growth. The challenges. The successes. Everything. What a thing it is…to be alive.
Following suit from last year’s Gratitude Article, I’ll end with a quote that isn’t mine, but one I look to for inspiration when considering the journey I am on.
“Because you are alive, everything is possible” - Thich Nhat Hanh
Dream big. Reach high. You can accomplish more than you can imagine.
Be well and safe travels on the journey you’re on in 2024.
I truly appreciate your time and if you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read - please share with your network.
