Montana & More

Welcome to Curious G — a weekly email about personal growth and lifestyle design.

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Lifestyle Design

I just returned home after an 8-day trip in the Mountain West. Three of my best friends and I explored eastern Idaho, southwestern Montana, the Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone National Park.

It was a special trip — we all thought so. We experienced beautiful wildlife encounters, incredible views, and most importantly, being around each other for the first time in a long time.

The trip made me reevaluate things (although I’m finding that nearly every trip has that ability).

Seeing the world through the eyes of two great National Parks is inspiring, reinforcing my belief in the importance of spending time in the natural world.

I’m not used to traveling in a group of four, but we enjoy each other’s company. The experience provided moments of connection along with a healthy mirror to reflect on my approach to travel and relationships. I’m excited for our next trip together.

We took on some big hikes, including two of the three longest hikes I’ve ever completed. There’s something really special about pushing yourself intensely surrounded by your best friends and the world’s best views.

Experiences like this deprioritize reflection and push gratitude to the surface.

I always appreciate the lessons that travel brings. It has a funny way of providing the right perspective at the right time.

What I’m Thinking

He picks up the bell, brings it up to his ear, and for the first time, he hears it ring.

This powerful lesson in The Polar Express illustrates the importance of belief in the face of uncertainty. Belief is energetic. It’s exciting.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been thinking about how to harness that power of belief. What would be possible if I believed, without a shadow of a doubt, that I could do anything I set my mind to?

Belief alone isn't enough to guarantee success, but it is powerful to have on your side.

Belief has its downsides too. It leads to expectations, which can lead to disappointment.

But aren’t dreams worth the risk?

Someone, somewhere, is achieving their greatest dreams because they were brave enough to go for it.

What I’m Watching

Tiny Desk Concert: Leon Bridges

I thought I’d mix it up this week with some music. If you’re unfamiliar with NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, it is an awesome series where artists come into the studio to perform a ~20 minute mini-concert. I’m a huge fan of Leon Bridges and my buddy Ben recently shared this with me. For music lovers, this is well worth the watch!