On Saturday we attended a memorial service at the National Veteran’s Cemetery for Meaghan’s uncle who passed away earlier this year.

I snapped the attached picture and couldn’t help but think about how the headstones seemed to go on and on (and this is just one section of one of many cemeteries).

I imagine it as looking back into history and seeing just how many people have sacrificed to put us in the position we are in today.

Sacrifice after sacrifice to give us the freedoms we have today.

Not so that we would be free to be as selfish as we want or to just do whatever we want when we want.

Freedom so that we can choose to also live our lives as these great examples that went before us have – in service to those we love and for a cause that we believe to be worthy.

Love and service freely chosen. Not of compulsion or coercion.

That’s worth fighting for.

Make it a great day.

Jake

That’s all I needed to hear. It turns out that gratitude from a single grandchild trumps the ridicule of any number of critics. With this in mind, I now pass on my granddaughter’s (and my own) thanks to today’s guardians—from front-line leathernecks, to keyboard warriors—who all deserve kudos. All play an important role in keeping us safe. So, thanks to all of you heroes out there who, when the call to serve came, eagerly answered, “You can count on me!”

We do, every single day. – Kerry Patterson

With Memorial Day weekend this weekend I got a newsletter email with the lines above at the end.

That last line really stuck out.

We do, every single day.

We count on those in the armed forces, every day.

We count on them in ways we will never understand.

They give to us in ways we will never be able to repay.

Maybe I’m just getting sappy in my old age, but with each holiday that passes to remember or celebrate those who serve I become more and more aware of just how lucky most of us are.

Evil does exist. And there are men and women who stand between us and that evil.

They do so and continue to do so despite the fact that it comes at an enormous personal cost.

I doubt any of them are thinking of Jake Davis and his little family in Chenoa, IL, but they go out there for us, every day. They do the same for you.

I think it is more than being thankful, though.

To be sure, we should be thankful.

But we should do more than that. We should make the most of the opportunity they have given us. The freedom to choose our path in this world.

We have been given a tremendous gift, not to use it wisely would be unfortunate.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/2MZxf-lQD-o

In my better moments as a Christian and a person I seek to have this attitude.

That it all belongs to God and He (alone) is in control.

It is not for me to tighten my grip and white knuckle the steering wheel.

It’s in God’s hands.

Let your worries go (at least a little) today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

I try not to think too hard, take a deep breath and jump. I’ve failed enough in life and work that I no longer have rigid attachments around outcomes. The things that don’t work out were never meant to happen.

—Amanda Chantal Bacon, founder, Moon Juice

I read this quote in an article and it painted a great picture of faith.

Faith that it will all work out in the end.

Faith that even though it doesn’t work out my way, it still worked out.

I especially liked her idea of “no longer having rigid attachments around outcomes”.

Focusing in on the journey instead of holding on to some preconceived notion of what the outcome should be is a great step towards less stress and more happiness.

Where could you use a little more faith?

Where should you let go of your rigid attachments to outcomes?

Make it a great day.

Jake

If you want to read a couple more good quotes on being fearless, here is the entire article:

http://www.success.com/article/top-of-mind-4-bold-habits-to-make-you-fearless

It’s the world, dear. Did you expect it to be small? = Mrs. Beaver from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

This is one of my favorite lines from the movie.

One of the main characters, Peter, had just been complaining about how far they still had to go on their journey.

Mrs. Beaver’s quote is a great reminder – changing the world isn’t easy. It’s not small.

As you seek out purpose and the place where you can be of greatest value, don’t expect it to be small.

There is greatness within you.

You were built to change the world.

It’s going to be tough, but you got this.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Nothing makes one feel so strong as a call for help. Pope Paul VI

Part of life is the circle of giving.

We all know that it’s better to give than to receive.

But it’s to forget that in order for one person to give another has to receive.

Sometimes a call for help is an opportunity for another to feel strong.

Sometimes a request for assistance is an opportunity to add value.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help, you might just be making somebody’s day.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Yesterday watching golf reminded me of this email I had sent a while back….

At the beginning of the movie “The Legend of Bagger Vance” the narrator says “God is happiest when his children are at play.”

Yesterday, I had the good fortune to play in a charity golf outing with some good friends.

We had fun playing.

We were built for both play and work.

It’s easy as an adult to get stuck in work mode. To get stuck focused on all the tasks and stuff that needs to be done.

But we need to make some time to play.

Play with your kids.

Play with your friends.

Play with your spouse.

Make the time to have fun and do something that isn’t a task.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/IPXIgEAGe4U

High hopes.

As I’ve written all these emails over the years, I’ve tried to develop the habit of sending them out with high hopes.

For you.

For each and every one of you.

Hopes that things will get better, whatever that means to you.

Hopes that you will find yourself closer to God today than yesterday.

Hopes that today will bring more joy than yesterday.

Hopes that you will be filled with hope.

Because I have high hopes for you.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Many a trip continues long after movement in time and space have ceased. – John Steinbeck

This quote goes well with summer vacation season.

The memories from our trips can instruct and fill us with joy long after the trip has ended.

The experiences forever change us into a different person.

Plan a trip for this summer, even if it’s only a day trip.

Make a point to experience something new.

Make it a great day.

Jake

26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[a] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. – Matthew 6:26-34

Maybe it’s me, but there seems to be a lot of anxiety running around these days.

Any time I feel the anxiousness creeping in, I try to remind myself of the verses above.

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of worrying.

Our minds appear to have a natural tendency towards worry and anxiety.

But I believe God has a different plan for us.

Promises like joy and peace are there for us if we can renew our mind and put the right thoughts in.

If you’re feeling a lot of anxiety lately, read these versions again. Maybe every day. Renew your mind with these timeless truths.

Make it a great day.

Jake