https://www.becomingminimalist.com/new-voice/

This is a great article about Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins, etc.) who lost her famous singing voice because of a throat surgery.

The article recounts how the actress “found a new voice” and begin writing books and using her talents elsewhere.

It’s a great reminder that even bad news can be turned into something positive – despite not being able to see it at the time.

The article reminds us that change is constant. Life is constantly moving and changing.

We can only choose our response. We don’t control the “happenings” of our lives, only our hearts.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/mzDVaKRApcg

This song reminded me of two things.

First, how thankful I am for those in my life who love me.

Second, that I desire to be the kind of person who lifts up those around me.

Consider this your friendly Friday reminder to be thankful for your loved ones and to look for opportunities to lift up those around you.

Make it a great day.

Jak

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

A week of neglect could cost you a year of repair. – Jim Rohn

Jim Rohn often talks about maintaining the important values in our lives. This short quote is an important reminder of what it could cost you.

A week of neglect of your marriage could cost you a year of repair.

A week of neglect of your integrity could cost you a year of repair.

A week of neglect of your attitude could cost you a year of repair.

The week equals one year part isn’t important. Five minutes of neglect could ruin a marriage.

This is why knowing your priorities and sticking to them is so important.

Imagine having a really nice car but a marriage that is falling apart.

Imagine being super fit but having no friends.

Imagine having millions of dollars but a poor attitude (not going to have any fun with that money).

Don’t neglect that which is most important to you.

Make it a great day.

Jake

A relationship is NOT a place you go to GET, it’s a place you go to GIVE.

To those most dear to us we get to GIVE our ENERGY, our pure LOVE, and our open HEART.

LIFE IS PRECIOUS! Let’s not wait to say I love you… to smile, to stay in our heart, to laugh together, to be completely present and connected.

Why not take a moment now to decide how YOU will show-up in your relationships every day.

Who are YOU willing to BECOME for the ones you love?

Tony Robbins

Tony Robbins posted this on the FaceBox the other day and it really stood out to me.

We are all born with a need to be loved and to be in relationship.

One of life’s great mysteries is that the path to that love and those relationships is through giving ourselves in loving service to others.

Relationships are not where we go to be filled up, but the best place to empty ourselves into those we’ve deemed worthy of that level of giving.

Only in this flow of life do we live the lives we were created for.

Tony asks “Who are you willing to become for the ones you love?”

I think he asks this because of this “flow” and “in and out” nature of giving.

The “bigger” we become, the more we can pour in and out. Who you become is like the size of your cup (or bucket or gas tank or ocean), you can only pour the size of that cup out on our loved ones.

It’s the reason the hard work of change and growth is worth it. We grow out of our current capacity in order to pour more out on those who matter most.

Make it a great day.

Jake

To see things in the seed, that is genius. Lao Tzu

We all must learn to be patient with ourselves a little.

Be kind and compassionate to yourself.

The new seeds in you require your belief and patience.

Be patient with yourself and the new habits you desire.

Be kind to yourself when things don’t go well.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – Unless you need a kick in the pants….then do that and get on with it. (I wish I always knew which one needed to be applied when.)

"If you’re always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be." – Maya Angelou

Forget normal.

You weren’t made to be normal.

You weren’t made to fit in.

You weren’t made to be like everybody else.

You were made to be you. No one else.

What comes to mind as you read this?

How you dress?

What you eat?

How you spend your money?

Who you spend time with?

What do you need to change in order to embrace who you were made to be?

Make it a great day.

Jake

I don’t think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains. – Anne Frank

When quotes like this come from someone like Anne Frank, you really can’t argue much.

The “look on the bright side of life” quotes are easy to dismiss. To think “that’s easy to say, but you haven’t gone through what I have…”.

But when the quote comes from Anne Frank that argument doesn’t hold water.

If Anne Frank can look at the beauty that remains, then so can you and I.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/a7fzkqLozwA

What a great idea – I like me better when I’m with you.

I’ve been lucky enough to have married someone like this and to have friends that make me feel better when I’m with them.

What if your goal each day was to be that person for someone?

What if your relationship goals were to make people feel better when they’re around you?

Make it a great day.

Jake

Made it back home after a couple of days on the road.

It’s always so good to be back home and in your own bed after traveling.

Similar to the “taking risks, making mistakes” lessons from traveling, I think coming home is symbolic too.

The best reason to take risks and challenge yourself to grow is because you have solid foundation.

Personal growth requires stretching and reaching out. This is done best from a solid base.

When we know that we have love and belonging at home, we can risk new friendships.

When we know that we have a financial base, we can take a few chances.

When we know our true values, we can expose ourselves to the values of others.

Every time I come home, I am reminded of how thankful I am for home base. For that feeling of love and security that allows me to try to expand my horizons.

Remember to be thankful for your home base.

Make it a great day.

Jake