Enjoy the Sandwiches. Simple as that.

My dad, my brother, and I were riding up a ski lift in Vail, Colorado and we were looking out at some of the most incredible views you imagine, gearing up for another good run and burn in the legs. Rob and I were talking about our favorite runs so far, how the legs were feeling after a few hours, all the normal chair lift conversation. Dad though was silent. About halfway up the lift and absolutely out of nowhere, he just smiled and said, "Enjoy the sandwiches." My brother and I immediately responded with "What the hell does that mean, Dad?" I don't know just a weird thing to hear while riding up a lift while discussing what we were going to be running next. But knowing my dad, we were both intrigued on what was about to come out of his mouth.

My dad took a deep breath that made Rob and I knew meant a long-winded story was in the works. I won't go into everything that was said cause it took a quick minute, but the gist took it out of me. Our father then told us about a patient he had back in the day who had pretty wild and severe lung cancer. Apparently it was a pretty terrible situation and the dude wasn't having much of a good time. That being said, the man was a life-long smoker so honestly no surprise there but even in the end of his life, he had the mentality to think positively and said some of the most sage shit I've ever heard.

A simple phrase, but one that's powerful and will hit home: Enjoy the Sandwiches.

What the old man meant is that of course you're going to love the big time moments - like riding up a chair lift in Vail - but the things you really need to slow down and appreciate is the turkey sandwich on a Tuesday. Enjoy the sandwiches. The little things in life that seem mundane or pedestrian or overlooked. That's the beauty of life. It is the every day that you get to enjoy - the shit you normally wouldn't think twice about. What are the sandwiches in your life? Take a second and think about it. Might give you some pretty cool perspective.

Anyways off the pulpit. By the time we got to the top of the lift, both my brother and I had wet eyes and a new appreciation of where we were, what we were doing, and the fact that a cold cut sandwich was on the menu later that day. It was beautiful.

Spread the word. Enjoy the sandwiches.