"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." – Joshua Marine
Often a change in perspective can make a huge difference.
The way we view challenges is a great example.
We can choose to become the victim.
We can choose to complain.
We can feel like life is unfair.
Or we can find them interesting and the path to meaning in our lives.
We choose.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
Idea for the day.
Read this out loud.
Make it a great day.
Jake
“I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Psalm 139:14
I f I (JCD) were to draw a caricature of an adult experiencing a lifelong crisis of confidence, I would depict a bowed, weary traveler. Over his shoulder, I would place the end of a mile‐long chain attached to tons of garbage. Inscribed on each piece of junk would be the details of some humiliation–a failure, a rejection, an embarrassment from the past. The traveler could let go of the chain, but he is convinced that he must drag that heavy load throughout life.
The above came from email list I am on.
I really liked this mental picture as a reminder that we can let go of all the junk holding us back.
We really don’t have to beat ourselves up over all the dumb stuff we’ve done in the past.
We really don’t have to beat ourselves up over the weight we’ve gained.
We really don’t have to beat ourselves up over the money we’ve wasted.
We should do something about all of those things. Move forward. With reckless abandon and confidence.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Maggie turns 12 today so I figured I would send out one of favorites lately.
Sure does warm the heart to see our young Maggie smile and sing silly songs.
Happy Birthday to Maggie.
Make it a great day.
Jake
"You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love." – Jim Carrey
This is one of the best reasons to take risks that I can think of.
What in life is worth failing towards?
We are all going to make mistakes.
Might as well make them in the direction of our dreams.
What should you be taking a chance on today?
Make it a great day.
Jake
Problems are only resolved when solutions are sought. Catherine Pulsife
The blog post below is meant as marriage advice, but I would offer that it applies to all relationships.
Think about the relationships in your life.
Which one might benefit from a change in perspective?
Make it a great day.
Jake
I sat patiently while a gal told me all the terrible things her husband was doing (and not doing). When she slowed and took a breath, I asked her if I could share a perspective. I think she was a bit taken aback (looking for commiseration?). I had something better for her… a new point of view.
When there’s a problem, don’t play the blame game. Team up instead. The blame game makes you helpless to change anything. (It’s all the other person’s fault.) It also makes your spouse the ultimate bad guy and very few people can handle that kind of treatment. Blaming leads to arguing and the arguing never ends.
If you invite your spouse to help you solve a problem (instead of making your spouse the problem) you are more likely to get their help. It’s far easier to be a part of the solution if you are not being blamed/shamed for being the bulk of the problem. And, truthfully, most problems are a result of a number of factors.
If you team up and brainstorm the bits, you’re more likely to hit on possible solutions, reduce the marital friction, and build a happier life together. The next time you find yourself muttering about your husband’s faults, see if you can move the problem off of him and make the problem a project the two of you can work on together.
Change “You’re always late!” to “Sunday mornings bum me out. Can you help me figure out how to make getting ready for church easier and more timely?”
Let “You spend money like water!” become “I’m worried about the state of our finances. Can we brainstorm ideas? Maybe take a Financial Peace University class (http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu )?”
Focus on fixing the problem, never focus on the blame.
Give yourself time to be sad, frustrated and angry. Give yourself time to heal, accept and to grow. Time doesn’t erase anything, but it can provide you with enough space to be able to breathe again. And then one day you wake up and your heart has a little bit of sunshine in it. – Jessica Jensen
Jim Rohn talks about how life needs all the musical notes.
The high notes and the low notes.
Only high notes sounds a little funny.
Only low sounds funny too.
Mix them together and you get something magical.
Finding our way through all of the highs and lows while keeping our head up is an art unto itself.
Keep your head up today.
Make it a great day.
Jake
It is not so much our friends’ help that helps us, as the confidence of their help. – Epicurus
Part of the reason service is such an important element in moving us towards fulfillment is the idea from the quote above.
When we help someone, we show them they are loved.
Being of service is showing someone they are worthy of love.
And love is a central need for all of us.
Show some love today.
Make it a great day.
Jake
We spend so much time searching for the magical, special moments.
They are all around us everyday, if only we can open our eyes.
If you can’t see any right now, start looking – they’ll find you.
Make it a great day.
Jake
What a great metaphor for life.
Everyone around us is running their own marathon.
Their all struggling in their own ways.
Their all succeeding in their own ways.
Sometimes they need a pick me up.
Sometimes they need a helping hand.
And this little boy did just that.
Just something simple to give everyone passing by a smile and little boost along their path.
We all have this opportunity as we go about our day, every day.
We can add a little something to those around us and give them a smile and a little boost.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Practical Steps for Friendship, Unity and Intimacy in Your Marriage
The Daily Attitude Email 