There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root. – Henry David Thoreau

We tend to do this in our lives as well.

We hack away at all the little things we need to improve on or want to be different.

Instead, look for the root.

Why do I feel this way?

Why do I turn to food?

Why do I spend money without thinking?

Why do I skip the exercise?

Hard questions to be sure.

It doesn’t mean you can’t figure it out and fix it though.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Dreams will get you nowhere, a good kick in the pants will take you a long way. – Baltasar Gracian

Reminder for today – get started!

Don’t dilly dally any more – get going already!

Make it a great day.

Jake

Marriages, like careers, need constant nurturing… the secret of having it all is loving it all. – Joyce Brothers

This is true of all of our relationships.

They are work.

They are hard.

They aren’t easy.

But if we love it all – they joys and the pains – we can have it all.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Nobody ever drowned in his own sweat. – Ann Landers

This reminds me of saying Earl Anderson used to always say – “The best way to kill time is to work it to death.”

Hard work is important.

Work smart is a good idea. Work life balance is a great idea. Not falling victim to being busy all the time is a good idea. Smelling the roses is good.

But all this wisdom really only applies if you’re willing to spend a decent chunk of your time working hard.

Jim Rohn says “make rest a necessity, not an objective”.

Work hard then rest.

Work hard then smell the roses.

Work hard then take a vacation.

Being action and work oriented is an advantage that is hard to beat.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/dguz0IsCuKU?si=MYKf4_aNZWnkyloT

We all go through tough times.

Times when it all seems dark and there’s nowhere to turn.

This song is a good reminder that brighter days are ahead.

It’s always darkest before the dawn.

Make it a great day.

Jake

A daily attitude email from a few years ago…

We are little flames poorly sheltered by frail walls against the storm of dissolution and madness, in which we flicker and sometimes almost go out we creep in upon ourselves and with big eyes stare into the night and thus we wait for morning.

Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front

They are more to me than life, these voices, they are more than motherliness and more than fear; they are the strongest, most comforting thing there is anywhere: they are the voices of my comrades.

Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front

I’ve been reading All Quiet on the Western Front lately (probably time for a break from the war stories). Its difficult reading.

These two quotes reminded me of the book.

One showing the madness that is war.

One showing the unique bonds forged in battle.

I’m not sure about you, but I have a hard time with the whole maturity and not complaining thing.

Its all too easy to complain and moan about some small inconvenience in my life instead of being the mature, accountable, adult I should be.

But books like this tend to sober me up pretty well.

I’ve got it pretty good compared to a rat infested trench a hundred yards or so away from people shooting at me with machine guns and trying to drop shells on my head..for months.

And those are the lucky ones. The unlucky ones are injured or dead.

And those are just the soldiers (thank God for soldiers).

What about the single mothers?

What about the cancer patients?

What about those with meaningful struggles of all kinds?

I’m thankful for the stories of real struggles shared over the years. They put my little problems into perspective.

Ending my little pity parties doesn’t seem quite noble enough an end for stories such as these, though, right?

In the end, I (and hopefully this is a we and I’m not the only one, if its just me, somebody tell me quick) must honor the sacrifices and struggles of others by doing our best to leave this place better than we found it. To make a difference for others through service with love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. – Mahatma Gandhi

Yesterday we were lucky enough to volunteer with our small group and put on a tea party for some foster kids.

Every time I’ve done something like that I’m reminded that being of service to others is a pretty good way to spend a day.

Seeing the smiles on their faces and working together with the group was a great experience.

We all have this opportunity every day.

To serve those around us – loved ones, coworkers, customers, etc.

We can have and be more if we can learn to serve more – with love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the future. I live now. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today is all you got.

It is the only time in which you can make the difference you want to.

It is the only time you can share the love you were meant to share.

It is the only time you can do the work you were meant to do.

Make the most of it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Laziness may appear attractive, but work gives satisfaction. – Anne Frank

Monday morning reminder – work gives satisfaction.

We were made to be productive and to make this a better place for us, our families and future generations.

Sitting around doing nothing is bad for you.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/lR1Hk0FVi_k?si=AuxfCd54iX93E5Jg

One weird byproduct of the COVID thing is that we have memories and songs like this.

Moments where we were all separate but together (or at least wanted to be).

These memories should remind us to be grateful for the togetherness we get to experience in our lives.

Make it a point to enjoy the time together you get with loved ones, friends and coworkers.

Make it a great day.

Jake