GreatLIFE Community,
UNEXPECTED JOY. One quiet Saturday morning, I found myself sitting in the living room with a warm cup of coffee, sunlight streaming through the window, and the sounds of my family slowly filling the house. No big trip, no special plans—just the ordinary rhythm of home. Yet, as I sat there taking it all in, I realized these were the very moments that make life feel full. Sometimes, it isn’t the mountaintop experiences that shape us most, but the simple, everyday joys we might otherwise overlook.
My Top 3 Takeaways:
1. Simplicity Sustains Us- The best part of the day wasn’t anything “big.” It was watching Harper try to beat her personal record around the block, or Nora insisting on leading the breakfast prayer. These little rhythms—family meals, evening walks, morning workouts—are the foundation that carry us through busier seasons. Consistency in the simple things builds a meaningful life.
2. Joy is Contagious- At one point, I couldn’t help but notice how Harper’s uncontrolled giggling snowballed into everyone else laughing—even when we weren’t sure what we were laughing about! It was a vivid reminder that joy multiplies when shared. As leaders, teammates, parents, or friends, we can set the tone by the joy we choose to bring into the room.
3. Gratitude Turns “Enough” into Abundance- There wasn’t anything flashy about the morning, yet it felt rich. Gratitude for the small things—food on the table, the ability to move our bodies, the people we love most—has a way of shifting our perspective. When gratitude is our lens, we realize we already have more than enough.
GreatLIFE Updates:
As we transition toward the fall “shoulder” season, I want to say thank you to our seasonal team members for making this summer one of our best yet. We were able to impact a record number of lives at our golf courses, inside our facilities, and within several of our programs! Fortunately, we still have four months left to continue serving our members in 2025.
Here are a few things to note in September:
- Golf: With several of our Team Members back in school, we’ll continue striving to provide the service you’ve come to expect at our courses. If you know anyone interested in part-time work, we’d love to talk with them! 😊 This is also the perfect time of year for us to aerify the greens. Though it may be a short-term inconvenience, aerification is essential to keeping our greens healthy and ready to heal through the offseason.
- Bowling: Extended winter hours have started, and many of our leagues are rolling into action. It’s going to be a fun season at the lanes!
- PLAYEverything: Programming officially begins in seven Sioux Falls Title 1 schools this month. Our goal? Impacting over 1,000 students throughout the year.
- Group Fitness Fun: September is a month of new routines. To help you kickstart healthy habits, join our Back to Class Challenge. Each Group Fitness class you attend earns you an entry into our weekly prize drawings—bring a friend and make it fun!
- Woodlake Pool: Our annual cleaning of the pool and hot tub will take place the first week of September through roughly the 11th.
- Superintendent Day: September 9th is Superintendent Day! Our Superintendents are some of the hardest-working people I know. Their work may not always be glamorous, but it’s vital to keeping our courses in great condition. If you see one of them this month, please take a moment to say thank you.
Looking ahead, keep an eye out for new programs and member events launching this fall. Whether you’re passionate about fitness, golf, or building connections, there will be opportunities to plug in.
BOOK CLUB:
This month we dug into Social Intelligence by Daniel Goleman. The book explores how our relationships don’t just affect our mood—they actually shape our brains, our health, and our future.
Key Takeaways:
- Connection isn’t optional—it’s essential. Positive relationships literally strengthen our bodies and minds.
- Empathy is a skill we can grow, and it starts with paying attention.
- The way we show up in everyday interactions can be life-giving or life-draining to others—choose wisely.
NEXT MONTH’S BOOK:
The Power of One More by Ed Mylett
POSITIVE THOUGHT:
Sometimes the most extraordinary moments are disguised as ordinary mornings. Don’t overlook them. Joy, gratitude, and connection often show up in the simplest places if we pause long enough to notice.
Thank you for being part of our GreatLIFE family. Here’s to finding joy in the simple and the extraordinary alike.
Your friend,
Nick