https://youtu.be/KUBQZ0vRvjE

Memorial Day weekend. A time when we memorialize those that lost their lives in service to our country.

America isn’t perfect, but to some brave souls, it’s worth fighting and dying for.

Your freedom and opportunity was worth protecting.

Freedom is what we have to show for their sacrifice.

It’s up to us to make the most of it.

To make that sacrifice worth while.

A sobering thought.

Make it a great day.

JAke

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It is not love that should be depicted as blind, but self-love. – Voltaire

That one sure stings a little. Maybe hits a little too close to home. Maybe I’m the only one?

As I get older my selective blindness has become more and more clear. I’m not good enough to pick it out ahead of time, all the time, but I sure can tell that I’m not seeing the whole picture.

I convince myself that my ideas are good.

The stuff I want is necessary.

That my desires and wants are best for everybody.

That I have everyone’s best interests at heart.

That I’ll do better with the diet and exercise tomorrow.

That a few more minutes of TV won’t hurt.

What are you blind to? Who in your life might better see things as they are? Who might serve as an accountability partner?

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – When you see me doing any of these things – please call me out!

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“There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

In order to find, we must look.

We must actively work towards finding what we desire for our lives.

It doesn’t just come to us.

We must find the relevant information.

We must ask others who might know where it is.

What are you looking for?

Make it a great day.

Jake

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“Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different…” – “Prince Caspian” (1951) – CS Lewis

Something I’ve read over and over is the idea that we underestimate how much we can do in the long run while overestimating what we can do in the short run.

Small, incremental changes in a consistent direction lead to extraordinary results.

Over booking ourselves while trying to do everything leads to stress and mediocre results.

We must make room for the important stuff and let go of the trivial.

I’m sure you already know all of this.

I’m sure something popped into your head as you thought about it.

Take a small action towards that something, today.

Don’t wait until tomorrow.

Get started.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Life ought to be a struggle of desire toward adventures whose nobility will fertilize the soul. – Rebecca West

Our goals and direction need to be towards something of value – I like the word nobility here. They must be noble in purpose and value.

How might you add some nobility and purpose to your goals?

Getting healthy to be a good example and around longer for your kids is better than trying to look good in a swimsuit.

Managing your money well goes better when it’s wrapped up in responsibility and stewardship thoughts.

Client and sales goals have more meaning when done from a place of service and love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/-wcjBU8zbdY

In this beautiful life there’s always some sorrow And It’s a double-edged knife, but there’s always tomorrow, oh, you know
It’s up to you now if you sink or swim
Just keep the faith that your ship will come in

It’s not so bad

One of Meaghan’s favorite songs is Ordinary Miracles – this song reminds me of that idea.

We will live mostly ordinary days.

We will sleep, eat, work, talk, etc. in a very "normal" way.

Therein lies our opportunity for triumph or sorrow.

We can use those days to develop habits that create a life of peace and joy or dismay and turmoil.

What we build in ourselves during those ordinary days determines how we show up on the extraordinary ones (those are guaranteed as well).

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. – Dale Carnegie

Contentment is elusive most days.

The balance between ambition for more and doing our best vs being happy with what we have is difficult.

In the Bible Paul talks about being joyful in all circumstances.

How could you be more content in your circumstances this week?

How could you be more grateful for whatever life brings this week?

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if you were working for the Lord. – Colossians 3:23

We spend a significant portion of our lives at work.

This verse from the Bible is a great reminder that success at work is about much more than just doing the minimum or just getting by.

Regardless of whether or not you are a Christian, having a higher purpose than just a paycheck can have a profound impact on your happiness at work.

Think about your average day at work and how you might do things different if you were doing them for a higher purpose.

How would answer that next phone call?

How would you handle that next conflict?

Would you make that extra call, close one more ticket or finish up that project?

A recurring theme I am noticing is the act of removing yourself from the center of things.

When we remove our own selfish desires and put others or a higher purpose first, we get better results.

What can you do differently today to work for a higher purpose?

Make it a great day.

Jake

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To give and not expect return, that is what lies at the heart of love. – Oscar Wilde

Great reminder for the day.

A couple of truths in one quote.

Giving ourselves to others is core to loving well.

Loving well is the greatest of these (faith, hope and love).

We can choose love each day by giving ourselves in love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Everything popular is wrong. – Oscar Wilde

I’m not this quote is 100% correct, but it sure seems to have some truth to it.

We were built for relationship and to want to fit in.

It’s also a trap that’s easy to fall in.

Where are you falling into this trap?

Where might it make sense to do the opposite of what’s popular?

What would moving in the opposite direction look like?

Make it a great day.

Jake
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