People only see what they are prepared to see. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Our perspective matters.

Most of us have a heightened awareness when it comes to the negative.

We’re quick to notice when things don’t go our way.

To notice the areas of life where we fall short.

Thank God that we are capable of reprogramming that kind of thinking.

Try it out today.

If you’re already good at it, take it up a notch.

Notice all the good around you.

Take note of the wonder all around you.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Found this email from a few years ago. We have 3 (mostly) joyful children now….

Friendly reminder to find some joy today – and hold on to it.

Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.

Helen Keller

For those of you that don’t know, Meaghan and I are blessed with two of the most joyful children in the world (I might be a little partial on this one).

On Sunday, Maggie and I sat down for a minute to watch a little football. We stopped on the Green Bay and St. Louis game. Maggie immediately decided to cheer for the Packers because they were already winning (she’s smart like her mom, but apparently not as much of a Bears fan as her mom).

A minute later I heard a "whoohoo!" from the other room. Maggie came into the kitchen and said "I cheered just that once for the St. Louis team. I didn’t want them to feel bad that we weren’t cheering them on."

All of this was said while jumping, skipping and smiling her way to the kitchen and back.

In that moment I got a little glimpse of true joy. Forget about who is winning or losing, let’s just cheer because it is fun to cheer.

So, why did I share this little story and the quote above in a daily attitude email?

Just to brag on our little Maggie and Annie? No, but that was a pleasant side effect.

The point was to remind us. Remind all of us of that joy of childhood. To remind us of how good for our souls a little joy is. Remind us that with joy we can "form an invincible host against difficulties".

Make it a great day.

Jake

Bonus thought for us "God people" that get this email. All of this reminded me of one of my favorite little pick me up thoughts:

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Sports do not build character. They reveal it. – Heywood Broun

So much of life is an opportunity to reveal our character….

Sports.

Marriage.

Parenting.

Work.

Each day we have a chance to be our best self. To perform at our highest level.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Freedom is not an ocean or place to live in, it is a river to cross to get to something worth committing to. – Arnold Lovin

I’m sure I don’t have the quote 100% right but Arnold has said this a few times over the last few months, and with the 4th last week, it seemed like a good time to share it.

We are lucky to live in the United States where freedom is part of everyday experience.

With this freedom comes the temptation to bounce from thing to thing.

To never really commit to anything but instead just let our whims and desires determine how use that freedom.

But freedom only works when it is matched with commitment.

It is a river to cross to get to something worthwhile.

We leverage our freedom to make choices that allow us to commit to worthwhile goals and relationships.

We find meaning and purpose only when we choose a life that is meaningful and purpose driven.

What are you committed to?

Make it a great day.

Jake

In honor of the 4th, I am resending this toe tapper from a few years ago when Meaghan volunteered to write it for me (she really is the better half).

Happy Birthday, Beautiful America!

This is no ordinary song about America, and surprisingly, it’s not even a country song.

(It’s a Dave toe-tapper.)

The lyrics and video are a great reminder not to lose our faith in this sometimes troubled nation.

I love the message of how beautiful America is, has been, and always will be. The spirit that lies in diversity of people and culture, the different landscapes and cityscapes, and the freedom to enjoy it all, are what make her that way.

"Stay Beautiful, Baby.
Stay American, Baby."

A happy and safe 4th to you!

http://youtu.be/wU8SbHTVavA

Meaghan

“You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4th, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.” — Erma Bombeck

Last day in the office before the 4th of July holiday and so I went in search of quotes about the 4th.

This one stuck out to me because it was a great reminder of just how lucky we are.

Most of us get to celebrate this holiday in peace.

At home with family and friends.

Living under the protective blanket of freedom.

So, for this 4th of July I suggest we all do our best to write the word “thankful” on our hearts. To let it infuse all that we do.

Make it a great day.

Jake

To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us. Timothy Keller

I’m convinced more and more as I get older that the above quote summarizes a lot of human behavior.

We all want to be fully known and fully loved.

God created us this way and He alone fills this completely.

We were also designed to fill a portion of this need for those loved ones we are lucky enough to be this close to.

We get into trouble as we try to navigate our way through relationships – figuring out where on the spectrum this relationship puts us and how much to risk along the way.

We push some people away because we don’t want to risk the rejection.

We bring some people too close too soon and get our hearts broken.

We take the easy route and keep things superficial.

Be aware of those around you. They are all working through this in their own way.

Some in an obvious and dysfunctional way.

Some in a scared and quiet way.

Reach out – pay attention to where you are on the spectrum above and be the one to reach out to the next step in your relationships.

Risk the vulnerability (appropriately and wisely) and allow yourself the opportunity to be fully known and to know someone else fully.

Embrace God’s special place for you in all of this. Both with and through Him and in the special relationships in your life.

Make it a great day.

Jake

“It’s not going to go away, just take care of it.”

Brian O’Shaughnessy sent me a note one day in response to a daily attitude email about taking action saying that he has this taped to this monitor.

The first half of the year is done and over with.

It’s a great time to take care of it.

Whatever popped into your head when you read this.

That thing you wish would just take care of itself…..

You’re not going to wake up tomorrow and things have magically changed.

You need to take action.

Just take care of it. Or at least get started in earnest.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/Kr0tTbTbmVA

Yesterday felt like it was finally really and fully summer.

This song usually pops into my head when summer time hits.

It reminds me of high school and all the summer time spent goofing off with friends.

Sitting around or driving around doing nothing but hanging out.

I’ve been reminded a few times lately that this kind of idle free time together with others helps build and cement relationships.

Think about how you are spending your time.

Are you allowing enough free time with the relationships that matter?

Taking the wife out on enough dates?

Golfing with your friends?

Watching a movie with the kiddos?

Calling that old friend just to say hi?

Find some time to spend with someone who matters this weekend.

Easy, relaxed, free time.

Make it a great day.

Jake

People don’t change.

I feel like I hear this a lot.

I’ve had a sneaky suspicion that it’s just a cop out.

When you think of it – people do change.

Every one of them.

All the time.

All people change.

But we can’t make ’em.

We don’t get to pick how and when.

And that’s where the cop out comes in, we use it as an excuse.

Since I can’t change So and So, I can’t meet that obligation.

Are you doing this in your life and your relationships?

Make it a great day.

Jake