Blessed

The past few weeks have been some of the happiest in memory. The formula has been simple:
1) I had one BBQ two weekends ago (my friend Josh's birthday party at Rodeo Beach in Marin), two BBQs last weekend (a Fuqua friend's party in Palo Alto and an Education Pioneers picnic in Golden Gate Park that I helped organize), and two BBQs this weekend (one yesterday in San Mateo for Vince'a daughter's birthday, and a pool party in Sonoma County hosted by the founder of our firm - see the photo below for the luxurious accommodations). The key is that I've been spending quality time with old friends, and also meeting new people. For me, it's critical that both old and new are tended to.
2) Health, specifically working out/playing sports to exhaustion. Last Tuesday night I played two soccer games and biked to Ocean Beach after work on Wednesday. I also went to a spin classed that wiped me out. I've been sleeping well because I go to bed satisfied that I have spent quality time with people, that work has been left at work, and that I have spent myself physically.
3) Learning. I've been trying a new routine of reading two Wall Street Journal articles before going to work.
4) Experiencing beauty, being in awe. Last week it was the redwoods and fog in Golden Gate Park, by bike ride to Ocean Beach. This weekend it was the fog covering Sutro Tower, my coworker Matt's incredible rooftop view from Russian Hill of Coit Tower and the Bay Bridge, the Sonoma countryside and Mark Kramer's rental house on a Sonoma hill (with infinity pool, etc.) and the view coming back into SF of fog completely covering the city.
5) Being open, not fixed. Trivia on Wednesday? Sure. Fuqua dinner on Friday? Sure. I've been saying "yes" to impromptu social engagements.
6) Looking forward to things, particularly soccer and college football seasons, and a cool speaking engagement for work.
7) That my work schedule has been very reasonable. This kind of underpins the whole thing.