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

"To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with." – Mark Twain

Joy is best when shared.

This quote reminded me how lucky I am to have so many in my life to share my joys with.

But it also challenged me to be that person for others.

Look out for opportunities to share the joy of others.

Look out for opportunities to cheer them on.

Look out for opportunities to celebrate their victories.

Let’s do our best to help other get the full value from the joys in their lives.

Make it a great day.

Jake

If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one. – Mother Teresa

Andy Stanley says it like this – do for one what you would like to do for all.

We all see things we would like to be changed in this world.

Broken homes, hungry children, lonely shut ins, the list goes on and on.

It all seems so daunting when you look at all of it at once.

But if you focus on what’s in front of you, it’s not that bad.

Focus on the family and friends around you.

Help the local charity that could use a few extra dollars.

You don’t have to look far to find someone in need.

I’m convinced that the world really would become a much better place if we could just figure out how to be kind to those we interact with daily.

Do something small to help today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/bacBKKgc4Uo

This song plays during another of the classic scenes in “The Sandlot”.

Squints jumps into the deep end of the pool and pretends to drown in order to kiss the lifeguard that he has been obsessing over.

On the list of lessons you can learn from “The Sandlot”, this scene teaches us all to think we are worthy of the girl/guy of our dreams.

At some point we all have to believe that we are worthy of love. Worthy of the love and attention of that special someone that is out there just for us.

If you’ve already found that someone, tell them how lucky you are.

If you haven’t, recommit yourself today to doing the work to find him/her.

Make it a great day.

Jake