Put off thy cares with thy clothes; so shall thy rest strengthen thy labor, and so thy labor sweeten thy rest. – Francis Quarles

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

These quotes remind me of another theme around Labor Day – working hard enough to need rest.

Rest and replenishment are needed only when they are coupled with work and effort.

When we apply maximum effort towards our goals and aspirations, rest will be a necessity to recharging and refueling for the next day.

Go all out today. Make rest a necessity.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/3OnnDqH6Wj8

This video reminded me of the good feelings you get from working out and being physical.

It just feels good to get all sweaty.

Make it a point to do something fun and physical this weekend.

Break out of your normal routine and get your blood pumping.

Maybe even listen to a little Flo Rida while you are at it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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The aim of education is the knowledge not of facts but of values. – William Inge

Life is a learning exercise.

We are constantly learning and growing as time goes by.

Those who are able to leverage this into clarity of values find the most peace and joy in their lives.

We must learn what is valuable and what is not in order to invest our time wisely.

Our values will drive our decisions and our decisions (and the habits we form) determine the quality of our lives.

Have you taken time lately to clarify your values?

Do a simple exercise today.

What’s most important today? How does that fit into your values? Act accordingly.

Make it a great day.

Jae

“But what manner of use would it be ploughing through that darkness?’ asked Drinian.

Use?’ replied Reepicheep. ‘Use, Captain?’ If you mean by filling our bellies or our purses, I confess it will be no use at all. So far as I know we did not set sail to look for things useful but to seek honour and adventures. And here is as great an adventure as I have ever heard of, and here, if we turn back, no little impeachment of all our honours.”

― C.S. Lewis, The Voyage of the "Dawn Treader"

We spend an inordinate amount of time trying to find the “use” in things in our lives.

We make the mistake of thinking that events and the stuff of our lives must be of “use”.

If we can just remember that life is a journey (an adventure, even), it helps put things into perspective.

If life is a journey, we don’t have to know the meaning of every little event.

If life is a journey, we don’t have to know what’s going to happen next.

If life is a journey, we can make it through any short-term valley, mountain or river.

Enjoy the journey.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay. – Simone de Beauvoir

Pick something small and get started on a new path.

Whether it be your diet, exercising, forgiving someone, being thankful, laughing, saving money, or any other goal of yours – get started.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Nothing surely is as potent as a law that may not be disobeyed. It has the force of the water drop that hollows the stone. A small dainty task, if it be really daily, will beat the labours of a spasmodic Hercules. – Anthony Trollope

Small, simple disciplines, repeated every day.

Like the consistent drip of water against stone.

The force is undeniable and unstoppable.

And we have in our power the ability to create these small habits and disciplines in our life.

Grab the opportunity to use this power in your life.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/lWtTdRmSrYQ

What a great reminder for us all. Everybody is a bit of a fixer-upper.

And the way to fix things up is with love.

Each of us was once a baby full of all the endless possibilities that come packed into a human life.

But along the way we made a series of good and bad choices.

We had a series of good and bad relationships.

We made good and bad food and exercise choices.

We made good and bad financial decisions.

And along the way we all became a bit of a fixer-upper.

Embrace the fixer-upper in all of us. Liberally apply all the love you have on the fixer-uppers in your life.

Make it a great day.

Jake ​

Don’t major in minor things. – Jim Rohn

So many go through life majoring in minoring things.

They get an A in TV but an F in Spirituality.

They get an A in Technology but an F in Health.

They get an A in Checking Your Phone Every 5 Minutes but an F in Relationships.

They get an A in Random Trivia but an F in Economics.

As you look at your life, is there an area where you are spending major time but shouldn’t be?

What is your major? What are you doing the best at?

Jim goes on to say that if you want to end up with anything of value, you can’t spend all your time on Minor things.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Rannulph Junuh: You really love this game, don’t you?

Hardy Greaves: It’s the greatest game there is.

Rannulph Junuh: You really think so?

Hardy Greaves: Ask anybody. It’s fun. It’s hard and you stand out there on that green, green grass, and it’s just you and the ball and there ain’t nobody to beat up on but yourself; just like Mister Newnan keeps hittin’ himself with the golf club every time he gets angry. He’s broken his toe three times on account of it. It’s the only game I know that you can call a penalty on yourself, if you’re honest, which most people are. There just ain’t no other game like it.

This back and forth from “The Legend of Bagger Vance” is one of my favorites.

I’ve tried to play a little more golf this summer and it’s been a great reminder of the value of doing something fun (and difficult).

Golf is a great place to practice and live out some great life lessons….

You can hit a great shot, but end up in a poor spot – life’s not fair.

Your score and your integrity matter.

Green grass, fresh air and trees blowing in the wind are good for the soul.

Life is best when done with good friends.

Make it a great day.

Jake

The reward of suffering is experience. – Harry S Truman

I don’t know about you, but most of the time I avoid the whole suffering thing.

You wouldn’t believe the amount of complaining Meaghan has to listen to when I stub my toe or have some minor malady that causes a bit of suffering.

As I get a little older and wiser though I’m beginning to see the positive side of (some) suffering.

David Goggins (ex Navy Seal, ultra runner, etc.) talks about it a lot. He puts himself through all of these ridiculous workouts and physical challenges.

Why?

Because he has found that suffering builds confidence through experience.

It builds the confidence that we can meet difficult and challenging objectives, that we can improve and give more than we thought.

And for the Christians on the list – it can and does bring us closer to Christ if we lean in to Him during our suffering.

Got any ideas on how you might encounter a little experience and confidence building suffering?

Make it a great day.

Jake