It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow. – Robert H. Goddard

So much of how we live today would have seemed impossible just a generation ago.

All of that started as a dream of yesterday but became our reality.

Because someone dared to act on their dreams.

They dared to try to make the world a better place.

It’s easy to see in the big stuff – the technology and big changes.

For most of us though it is the little stuff that we should be working on.

Working on a better marriage.

Working on becoming a better teammate.

Working on being a better parent.

The little stuff is worth dreaming about and working on.

Make it a great day.

Jake

O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind? Percy Bysshe Shelley

Springtime in Illinois means lots of wind. If the forecast is a warm day – that also usually means wind.

The warmth and change of season is generally brought in on the wind.

Life is full of changing winds.

Our health ebbs and flows over time.

Relationships and people grow closer at times and apart at times.

Pay attention to the wind.

Which way are things heading?

Anything important that needs taken in before the wind does some damage?

Make it a great day.

Jake

“Either you run the day or the day runs you.” – Jim Rohn

This one can be a bit of a tough pill to swallow.

To accept responsibility for the days that get out of control and seem too busy.

It’s easier to make excuses and to think that we are a special kind of busy. The kind that can’t be figured out or managed.

This is an email about how I have this figured and “if you’d just send me $29.95 I’ll tell you all my secrets”. I don’t. And you shouldn’t.

But I can tell you that optimizing your day is a worthwhile pursuit.

That a day lived on purpose and with purpose is better than “another day that got away from me”.

What could do today to get a little better handle on your day?

What could you prep tonight to have a better day tomorrow?

What could you say no to today to free up some time in the future?

Make it a great day.

Jake

God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. – Saint Augustine

Easter was yesterday. Easter is the “big day” of the Christian faith. The day when Christians are reminded of the core focal point of their faith.

The Saint Augustine quote above reminded me of this core focal point. That God loved each of us enough to send his son to die on the cross.

Whether you are a Christian or not, there is also a life lesson in there. And this quote spells it out.

Love and serve others as if they were the only one.

Search today for an opportunity to serve someone else as if they were the only one.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/sIaT8Jl2zpI

You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

And you say I am held when I am falling short

And when I don’t belong, oh You say I am Yours

And I believe (I)

Oh, I believe (I)

What You say of me (I)

I believe

The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me

In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity

Easter is a reminder of what God really thinks of you.

He sent His son to die on the cross to set things right for you.

He looked across time and space and at all of your foibles, mistakes and selfishness and send His son to die for you.

I hope this thought brings you hope, peace and joy this Easter.

I hope that the cares and trials of this world melt away in the face of this awe-inspiring series of events.

I hope that you can let go of your insecurities and anxieties and give them all to your Father in heaven.

Happy Easter.

Jake

PS – I know this one is a bit of a slow tapper – if anyone has an upbeat positive Easter song – send it out!

I sent this email out almost exactly 2 years ago. A lot has changed and transpired since then but the message still resonates and I still need it.

“Jesus’s resurrection is the beginning of God’s new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonize earth with the life of heaven. That, after all, is what the Lord’s Prayer is about.” ― N.T. Wright

I don’t know about you, but I think I needed Easter more than usual this year.

It has been a rough start to the year. I had lots to complain about. Things weren’t going my way. Stress levels were out of the normal range.

I’ve been seeking a path to turning the page and trying to look forward with hope the last couple of weeks. Not even really realizing that Easter was on the way.

The first Easter was at the early church’s darkest moment. Their leader had been killed. He was not to become the King they had hoped for. They were sad, scared and hopeless.

Out of that darkness came the resurrection. The bright, shining sun leading the path towards the future, full of hope and joy.

I’m going to work to make Easter that moment for me this year (and would love it if you joined me).

We’ve had a rough start.

We will move forward with faith, hope and joy.

We have a lot to be thankful for.

We can and will lean on each other and work together on a brighter future for all of us.

Who’s with me?

Make it a great day.

Jake

God is love and he has defeated evil. – Pope Francis

Easter is a great reminder of one of my favorite truths – the good guys win in the end.

The Bible and the story of Easter each year remind us that God is love and he has defeated evil.

The trials and tribulations of each day cloud our judgment about what is really important.

The news headlines distract from the real truth.

Our own shortcomings and pride stand in the way.

None of it can stop the truth – God loves us enough to send his son to die for us so that we might be saved.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Watching the Masters this weekend reminded me of this email I sent out a couple of years ago…..

Yesterday I watched most of the final round of The Masters (golf tournament) on the line.

In the end, Tiger Woods completed one of sports all time greatest comeback stories by winning after his fall from grace and many injuries that have kept him off his game for a long time.

What struck me most was the crowd’s reaction.

They celebrated.

They cheered.

They forgave.

Tiger is an imperfect champion who has done things most people would have a hard time forgiving.

But the crowd was with him. They forgave his transgressions and welcomed his show of excellence.

It seemed fitting to me that this would happen the Sunday before Easter.

God has done the same thing for all of us.

He knows all the little faults and transgressions. Each of them feels to Him as egregious as anything Tiger has done.

And yet….

Anytime we show up for Him with excellence he stands and cheers. Chants our name. Tears of joy cover His face.

At least that’s how I imagine it.

He’s a fan of the best of version of you. As if you were the only one playing the game.

Watching the crowd treat Tiger like that reminded me just how lucky I am to know a God that feels the same for me.

If you think I’ve taken too much a leap here in connecting all this to God (that seems like me), think instead about your closest loved ones.

Think about cheering like that for them.

Think about performing for them in a way that deserves cheering.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Every charitable act is a stepping stone toward heaven. – Henry Ward Beecher

Monday morning reminder – the small stuff counts.

Every charitable act counts.

Every un-charitable act counts.

Choose wisely this week.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/3YqPKLZF_WU

You. You are. My Universe.

Don’t we all just want to hear somebody sing that to us (preferably with a poppy upbeat song and some smooth dance moves).

Every time I hear a song or read something like this it reminds me of the quote – “babies are born with a need to be loved and never out grow it”.

We never outgrow our need to be loved.

I’m convinced that the proper response to this truth is to love others.

To have them feel that they are loved.

It can be small…..a kind, warm interaction with a service worker who’s stressed out.

Or it can be big….years of lovingly serving a loved one who has become ill.

Big or small, our job is to love somebody – today.

Make it a great day.

Jake