"Be the change that you want to see in the world." Mohandas Gandhi

Becoming a better person, a whole different person, requires change for most of us.

One of the hardest areas to work on for me has been looking outside myself for the things that need to change. Looking at others and seeing areas they should change.

That driver in front of me needs to drive better.

Congress needs to pass better laws.

Taxes need to be lower.

Other people need to post more positive comments on FaceBox

In order to see the changes I want to see in my life, I need to first “Be the change that I want to see in the world.”

Remember that the results of your life are a “merciless mirror” reflecting back to you what kind of a person you are. All of the treasures you have accumulated are in direct proportion to the development on your own character.

Challenge yourself.

Be the change you want to see in the world.

Make it a great week.

Jake

All of us are born for a reason, but all of us don’t discover why. Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others. ~ Danny Thomas

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. ~ Mohandas K. Gandhi

He who has the desire to keep his life will have it taken from him, and he who gives up his life because of me will have it given back to him. Matthew 10:39

These quotes are a reminder of one of the great paradoxes of life. Only by giving up our own desires in service to others we are able to find that which we desire.

In serving others we find out what we are really made for.

When we serve others we are able to see what is really important and can then order and prioritize our lives differently.

Make it a great day of service.

Jake

"Every person you have ever met, every person you will pass in the street today, is going to die. … All are going to lose everything they love in this world. Why would one want to be anything but kind to them in the meantime?" – Sam Harris

Kindness – there is no excuse not to show kindness to others.

Kindness starts at home.

Make a special effort to not waste another not being kind to those closest to you.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/1yYV9-KoSUM

Someday these will be the good old days.

Today is the only day we have.

Someday we will remember these days as the good old days.

Make the most of it.

Do the little stuff to make the memories now.

Make it a great day.

Jake

"It’s never crowded along the extra mile." – Wayne Dyer

We feel a tremendous pressure to “fit in” and “be normal”.

We fall into the trap of “doing what everyone else is doing” only to find ourselves disappointed.

We try to be like “most people”.

Only to find out that:

“Most people” are overweight.

“Most people” are in debt.

“Most people” are getting a divorce.”

“Most people” hate their job.

“Most people” are ruled by their stuff.

It’s taken me a long time to realize this, but I don’t want to be like “most people”.

And I don’t think you should either.

What is something you could start doing today to move away from trying to be like “most people”? What’s a small, positive step away from the crowd that makes sense for you?

Make it a great day.

Jake

Friendly warning – “most people” also don’t want to get hit by a bus. Some wisdom and discernment must be applied when going against the grain. I know….it’s tricky, but I think you can figure it out.

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow. – Helen Keller

We have a choice. We can choose to spend most of our time facing the sunshine.

One of my favorite ideas from Jim Rohn is that we “go the direction we are faced”.

We move towards what we are looking at and for.

So, if we choose to face the sunshine, we will head towards it.

As long as you don’t take this all the way and try to fly into the sun (that will end badly), we will end up better off.

As you begin your day today, which way are you facing?

Make it a great day.

Jake

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. – Dalai Lama

Be compassionate with yourself and with others – sounds like a good plan to me.

Most of the people I know struggle with the part where you are compassionate with yourself.

We struggle to give ourselves the same grace we would offer to someone else.

Be kind to yourself today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

The secret to change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. – Socrates

This is a great idea when you are stuck on getting started on something.

Focus all your attention on the first, smallest step – and take it.

So much creating the good life happens by crowding out all the bad stuff.

Keep focused on the positive and keep moving towards it.

The rest will fall into place.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/DHG5-GxI_Es

Back to school today for the Davis kids.

Each year is a reminder of some simple life lessons that will hopefully last a lifetime.

New teachers, new classmates, new books, etc. – life is always changing.

It could be a good year or a not so good year – there are no guarantees of a good/easy time.

Awkwardness and nervousness about all the possibilities – take the risk – it’ll all work out in the end.

New subjects, concepts and ideas – there is always something to learn and growth is possible – but hard.

I’m sure there are a lot more lessons to be had, but it sure feels like I’m still learning these, many years after finishing “school”.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a lot left to learn.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/pDKiMYgdxSs

Last week of summer vacation at the Davis house.

It reminded me of this line from What About Bob.

Last time to “take a vacation from your problems”.

How many of your “problems” just wouldn’t be a big deal at all if you took a permanent vacation from them?

Most of the stuff that hangs over our heads every day really aren’t something we should worry about.

We spend so much of our “real life” thinking about things that aren’t real or aren’t real problems.

Make it a great day.

Jake