“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” ― Fred Rogers

Such a great thought for the scary times we’re in.

In the midst of all the uncertainties and fear – there are people helping.

Nurses, doctors, first responders come first to mind.

But there are also the people still working at Wal-Mart, etc. to get groceries out to all of us.

And Mavidea’s on the list too.

We’re helping our customers through a tough time. Helping them still get work done and communicate with their customers.

In every crisis there are positives.

A big one for me during this crisis has been how our team has responded. Everyone has stepped up and offered to help in whatever way they can.

Our clients are receiving help.

Make it a great day.

Jake

The difficulties and challenges we are facing now reminded me of an earlier daily attitude email I sent a few years back:

https://www.nationalchurchillmuseum.org/do-your-worst-well-do-our-best.html

This is a Winston Churchill speech that is particularly poignant on the anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Two quotes in particular stood out to me:

“But there was one thing about which there was never any doubt. The courage, the unconquerable grit and stamina of our people, showed itself from the very outset. Without that all would have failed. Upon that rock, all stood unshakable.”

In the face of all the evils of the world we must have faith and belief that courage, grit and stamina from those on the side of good will win out. No matter the test, no matter the difficulty, that which is good and worthy will prevail.

“You do your worst – and we will do our best.”

When faced with the evils of the world it can be tempting to lower ourselves to those standards. Instead we need to raise ours.

The best way for us to honor those who have fallen and those who have sacrificed is to do and be our best. Others have given up their lives that we may have the opportunity to exercise this freedom. Don’t let it slip by.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps because I am afraid, and he gives me courage. – The Hobbit

One of the overarching themes in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series is that a small person, pure in heart, can make a difference – maybe even THE difference in how things turn out.

As we face very real and difficult challenges right now, I hope and pray that we can all remember this principal.

The little things matter.

How we treat each other on the team conference call matters.

How we treat the worried client matters.

How we work with vendors struggling to keep up matters.

We are being asked to hold the line against the evils of the world. To hold at bay the negativity, fear, hopelessness and despair. To keep ourselves and our teammates from falling prey to the temptation to give up or give in.

I’m sure this all sounds a bit grandiose for a little IT company and truck shop in Bloomington/Normal – and maybe it is (I don’t think so), but I don’t believe that for a second. What we do and how we do it matters. Now more than ever. How we get through this – together – matters. It’s important. And so is the work you are doing every day.

We have the opportunity to serve our clients and each other – with love and hope and faith and optimism in the face of difficulty.

Let’s embrace the opportunity and do our best.

Make it a great day.

Jake

If you are unwilling to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary. – Jim Rohn

Ordinary. Normal. Everybody else is doing it.

We have all wished for or strived for these things at one point or another. Whether it be to fit in or to feel loved or to relieve some of our own insecurities and anxieties; we purposefully looked for and strived for normal and ordinary.

One of the great tragedies of life is coming to the end of it having not lived all of it. Having not been the most truest version of you possible.

The scary part is that the best version of you is NOT normal. Not even close.

In fact, I would venture to say that the potential of our inherent abilities is so overwhelmingly different that we get a little scared. A little scared to live out the life uniquely set before us.

We must be willing to risk unusual or settle for ordinary.

We choose. Life doesn’t choose for us.

What’s your choice?

Make it a great and unusual day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/9tNweSZTgR0

This is a favorite St. Patrick’s Day song at the Davis house.

St. Patrick’s Day is a great reminder of the uniqueness of the US.

On St. Patrick’s Day – everyone’s Irish.

We can all come together and celebrate the culture of a country that has been a (mostly) positive influence in America.

We can come together as friends and fellow Americans.

Make it a great day.

Jake

"Let no one or anything stand between you and the difficult task, let nothing deny you this rich chance to gain strength by adversity, confidence by mastery, and success by deserving it. Do it better each time. Do it better than anyone else can do it." – Harlow H. Curtice

What if we could look at the difficulties in our lives as opportunities?

Think about what is going on in your life.

Is there something you are staying away from because it seems too difficult?

Is there something you are falling short on because you aren’t giving it your all with a positive attitude?

Think a little differently and you’ll get different results.

Make it a great day.

Jake

“The real things haven’t changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.”

― Laura Ingalls Wilder

Today is Oliver’s 7th birthday.

I’ve been thinking of this quote a lot in response to all of the uncertainty we’re all facing.

I wanted to send it out on Oliver’s birthday as the day reminds me even more of the importance of leaning in to what really matters.

We have a sweet, funny, happy little boy who is going to enjoy a day spent with his loving family celebrating him and making him feel special.

We will work to forget about all the craziness around and focus on loving on Oliver.

And if we do a good job it will bring joy to all of us.

A joy that will put our worries to the side.

Find some joy today.

Focus on the real things in your life that aren’t changing.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Today is St. Patrick’s Day.

Amid the coronavirus lockdowns that are going on here and across the world, the parties and usual St. Patrick’s Day festivities won’t be happening.

Maybe this year we can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by remembering some of the other unique traits of the Irish.

In my experience, Irish people are uniquely kind, nice and hospitable.

With all that is going on around us, the world could use a little more of those three things.

Be kind to those your interact with.

Be nice to all who come across your path.

Be hospitable to your family, coworkers and friends (and maybe even some safe looking strangers).

We are going to get through this difficult time.

We might as well do it the Irish way.

Make it a great day.

Jake

“Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone, and as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

— Marianne Williamson

What a great reminder – you were meant to shine.

Not in a way that puts others down or takes away from them – they were meant to shine as well.

The first sentence sets the stage perfectly – we were made to serve the world (God).

For some reason, it’s easy to miss this idea and buy into bad thinking.

Either the thinking that you are worthless and aren’t made to shine or that you are in competition with others and to outshine them you must diminish their efforts or somehow exalt yours.

We let fear and selfishness dominate our thoughts and diminish our impact.

When we let go of our fears and lean into our God-given gifts and talents for service we inspire others to do the same.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Found this old toe tapper from a few years ago and wanted to send it out again before St. Patrick’s Day.

http://youtu.be/DBaKWLoFYmQ

Not sure I caught all the lyrics, but it sure sounds happy.

Someone mentioned this song on the FaceBox and I found this Irish version that reminded me of our families adventure to Ireland last year around this time.

Figured while I am thinking about it I would share a couple of good pics from Ireland.

One of my Irish lass and our oldest and one a collage of the wee Irish lasses in their flower girl get ups.

Make it a great Friday.

Jake

irish lasses