The most worth-while thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others. – Robert Baden-Powell

One of the interesting twists in life is that when we work for joy and happiness for others we tend to find it ourselves.

It’s a mystery though – sometimes it works right away, sometimes it takes years. Sometimes a little effort yields a big reward, sometimes a lot of effort yields a little reward.

It’s not straight math – but it seems to work in one general direction, most of the time.

What to do when life isn’t as straight forward as we’d like it to be?

My advice is to trust the process. Sowing leads to reaping. What we sow, we will reap. So sow wisely. (What a great sentence.)

Try to put some happiness into the lives of others today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. – Victor Hugo

Quick reminder – laugh more.

Take a break from that serious book, movie, podcast, TV show, etc.

Pick up something lighthearted and fun.

Call that funny friend.

Watch that stand up comedian.

Do something to make yourself laugh. Maybe even once a day?

Make it a great day.

Jake

“This is the true joy in life: Being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one, being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and, as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.” – George Bernard Shaw

Does this describe you:

A mighty purpose….

A force of nature….

Or does this describe you:

A feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances…

Complaining that the whole world will not devote itself to making you happy…

We all have the same opportunity to find our purpose. To clarify as best we can. To live it every day.

And when we do….

Our splendid torch, which we have a hold for the moment, will burn brightly before we pass it on to the next generations.

If you haven’t taken the time to write down a personal mission statement or purpose statement, hopefully this has inspired you to spend some time working on one.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/5tXh_MfrMe0?si=Nt2tvec1RaVREVD8

Maggie turned on "Cars" last night and suggested this song as the tapper for today.

Life can be fun.

There is joy to be found along the way.

Whether that’s driving down a highway or reading a book or watching a kids movie – it’s available to you.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – For those of us who are Christians – God is the ultimate source of joy and we are invited to live in that joy with Him daily.

Life is too short for long-term grudges. – Elon Musk

Interesting quote from Elon….

But still true.

Long-term grudges hurt the person holding on to them.

I imagine grudges as being on the top of the regrets list when someone is getting close to the end. I imagine thinking "why did I waste all that time thinking about that?"

Life is too short for grudges!

Make it a great day.

Jake

Childhood is a short season. – Helen Hayes

Not sure why but childhood and summer are intertwined in my mind.

The idea of this period that seems like it’s lasting forever while you are in the middle of it but it gone so quickly you find yourself wishing it would return.

Make the most of the summer!

Make it a great day.

Jake

“Promise me you will not spend so much time treading water and trying to keep your head above the waves that you forget, truly forget, how much you have always loved to swim.” ―Tyler Knott Gregson

It’s easy to get stuck. To keep treading water instead of swimming towards something.

We have to get off the fence. To pick a direction.

The Bible says that if we seek, we will find.

We have to do something though. We can’t just sit around and wait.

Where are you feeling stuck?

Whether it’s your money or your weight or your relationships or work, you can begin something new by taking the first step of seeking out something different.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – Bonus point – if you’ve already picked a direction – stick it out – for a season. Give it your best shot.

This 4th of July I couldn’t help but think of Viktor Frankl’s idea of a “Statue of Responsibility” on the West Coast and this daily attitude email from a few years ago.

Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better. – Albert Camus

In “Man’s Search for Meaning” Viktor Frankl has the idea that the Statue of Liberty (representing freedom) should have a twin on the West Coast – a statue of responsibility.

Freedom is not only a chance to be better, it is an offering to accept the responsibility inherent in making the most of our freedom.

Today is Veteran’s Day. A day to remember who paid for our freedoms.

I’ve read quite a few books from members of our military over the last few years.

Each time I am inspired to make the most of the freedom they have bought for me.

Even the most heroic and well-meaning soldiers from the stories seem to struggle with coming back and realizing that so many have chosen to squander their great gifts.

Our biggest tribute to the armed forces is a life well lived.

A life spent enjoying the responsibilities of the freedom so dearly bought for us.

Make the most of your chance to be better.

Embrace the responsibility of making the most of your freedom.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/wTSLRbm8L9E

The 4th of July is a great reminder of all the great things about this great country we live in.

We have been given much and in exchange much is expected of us.

Embrace these expectations.

Embrace all of the possibilities that come with your freedom.

Embrace the opportunity to do and be your best.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Be truthful, nature only sides with truth. – Adolf Loos

One of Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules is – “Don’t Lie”.

Nature is on the side of the person who sticks with this rule.

I try to think of it like physics – we can’t argue with or ignore gravity or heat or cold. We can only work with them. The more we work with them and their inherent principles, the more likely the preferred outcomes are to occur.

Same with telling the truth.

Maybe we can get away with a little lying, in the short run, but in the long run – it will come around. Just like gravity – airplanes and rockets can temporarily overcome gravity (but they burn a lot of energy).

Be careful to be more truthful this week. Try to pay attention to the opportunities to bend or shape the truth.

Make it a great day.

Jake