http://youtu.be/lEsPhTbJhuo

When I see things like this I can’t help but marvel at the talent that others possess.

It’s awe inspiring that they can take a bunch of little kids instruments and make cool music.

And we all have some version of that inside of us.

Each of us was uniquely endowed with some talent or ability to positively impact this world.

Our job is to find it and follow it.

Some are glamorous and make people famous and rich.

Some are less glamorous and make people humble and grateful.

Either way, follow your path. Do the best with what you have been given. Be the best you possible.

Make it a great Friday.

Jake

“If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?” – John Wooden

One of the greatest lies we can tell ourselves is that we don’t have time to do what we want.

We can convince ourselves that since we don’t have time, less than 100% effort is ok.

We can explain away not having time to exercise, spend time with our families, etc.

But this quote is a reminder that if we don’t make time for the important stuff now, when will we have time to do it over?

The answer is that we won’t.

And some areas of life don’t get a chance for a do-over.

When it comes to our important relationships (as an example), we only have the time we have. We can’t make more time later.

What do you need to make time for today?

Make it a great day.

Jake

Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts. – John Wooden

Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. – C. S. Lewis

This quote from John Wooden reminded me of one of my favorite CS Lewis quotes.

Courage counts because it’s what gets you through when things get hard.

And only by pushing through when things get hard do we grow.

Courage counts when your honesty is tested.

Courage counts when you can be patient or give in.

Courage counts when you have to pick an apple over that donut.

Courage counts when you tell someone no in order to honor your previous yes.

In these small moments, a courageous person is built.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen. Conan O’Brien

I especially like the kind part.

So much of our lives would be richer and better with a little more kindness.

Let’s all work to be a little more kind today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little. – Edmund Burke

This reminds me of the idea from Andy Stanley who says something like “do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.”

Wish you could help the poor – help just one person today.

Wish you could help children – volunteer to help a kid today.

Wish you could solve world hunger – feed somebody.

Wish there was more peace – let something go today.

We live in a time and place of comfort, of ease, and it requires thought and discipline to actively pursue a different path than selfishness and greed.

Be thoughtful and kind today. Do something meaningful for another person today. It doesn’t have to be huge – just meaningful.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/c6rP-YP4c5I

I wanna try even though I could fail

I won’t give up, no I won’t give in

Till I reach the end

And then I’ll start again

No I won’t leave

I wanna try everything

I wanna try even though I could fail

I don’t know about you, but I fail. A lot.

In my old age, I am trying hard to see this as a positive.

It’s only when we let comfort and the status quo take over that we really fail.

We can’t experience the great things in life without trying new things and putting ourselves out there.

Sure, it can be painful. And nobody likes to fail.

But it’s worth it.

Growth and positive momentum requires failure.

What’s something new you could try this weekend?

Make it a great day.

Jake

Looking for something to try….how about dancing?

https://youtu.be/ru0K8uYEZWw

If you’re going through hell, keep going. – Winston Churchill

I don’t have the context for this quote but I imagine it as Churchill with a cigar in his mouth, a glass of whiskey in his hand, standing over a giant WWII map table thing and barking it to his generals.

We all face hardships.

We all have our tougher battles to face.

Keep going.

If you can’t keep going, ask someone else to pull you through. Just don’t stop.

I don’t know your individual situation.

I’m sure that this advice is much easier to give than to receive (or to do).

But you can do it.

You can push through.

You can slay those demons.

You can push through this current hell.

And if you aren’t battling something right now, find someone to help.

Find someone to pull through to the other side.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Not all time in life is equal. – Jim Collins

Not all time in life is equal. Some moments hold greater significance than others. Some moments require greater attention than others.

Today we are all reminded of one of those moments. September 11th was a moment when the course of history changed.

For those that died, those last moments were unequal.

For those that risked their lives to save others, those moments were unequal.

For those that fought battles on foreign soil in order to make sure it doesn’t happen again, those moments were unequal.

For those that hugged their loved ones a little tighter that night, those moments were unequal.

Not all time in life is equal. Some moments require more of us. They require us to dig deep and perform, love, hope, and have more faith than we have ever had before.

In this time we can create something wonderful.

We can create a nation united.

We can create a family filled with love.

We can create a force for good in this world.

We must take advantage of the unequal times in our lives.

Let’s get started today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

So much of our experience is born out of our perspective and attitudes.

Two people can look at the same sunset but have a different experience.

Resetting our perspectives to create more joy and happiness is a lifelong pursuit.

Where might a resetting of perspective serve you well?

Do you struggle with contentment and need to change that perspective?

Do you struggle with selfishness and need to change that perspective?

Do you struggle with….?

We can change our perspective by experiencing new things and being thoughtful about the world around us.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Something to get you started….switch from thinking of things happening to you and start thinking of things happening for you.

"Every person you have ever met, every person you will pass in the street today, is going to die. … All are going to lose everything they love in this world. Why would one want to be anything but kind to them in the meantime?" – Sam Harris

Kindness – there is no excuse not to show kindness to others.

Kindness starts at home.

Make a special effort to not waste another day not being kind to those closest to you.

Make it a great day.

Jake