It is easier to go down a hill than up, but the view is from the top. – Arnold Bennett
Jim Rohn says something like “all good is upstream, against the current”.
The better version of your life lies beyond difficulty and obstacles.
There is no other way.
The sooner we realize and agree to this, the sooner we get to where we want to go.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. – Mahatma Gandhi
A major cause of anxiety is in not living up to our ideals and potential.
We are happiest when our thoughts, actions and words line up with the best in us.
An interesting side effect of living in a time and place where we can have everything we want is the anxiety produced when we don’t follow through and get it.
I believe the solution is in simplicity.
When we simplify what we want and are motivated by it, we follow through.
We are able to line up our thoughts, actions and words better when there aren’t so many distractions to try to line up with.
So, for this week, what is your happiness thought?
What can you do to simplify and line up your life for happiness?
Make it a great day.
Jake
I’ve sent this out many times. It came up on the side on YouTube the other day and I couldn’t resist sending it out again.
You really are something awesome.
Don’t ever forget it.
Make it a great day.
Jake
I am doing a great work and cannot come down. – Nehemiah 6:3
Nehemiah was rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem and was constantly asked to come down to work on other things.
His answer was always the same “I am doing great work and cannot come down.”
The point of the story is that he didn’t allow any distractions from his goal. He knew that rebuilding the wall would be a symbol to the people and lead to bigger and better things and that is should be his priority.
As you look at your goals and resolutions for this year, think about what/which one should be your priority.
Some things in life are worth focusing on to the exclusion of others.
Figure out what your great work is for this year and don’t lose focus on it.
Be tenacious in pursuing it.
Don’t let anything distract you.
Make it a great weekend.
Jake
Why could this be happening for me? – Lori Harder
https://www.facebook.com/ImpactTheoryShow/videos/2021451581440084/
I was listening to this interview and when she said this, it really stood out.
She says something like “I adopted the attitude that struggle and challenges were there for me.”
As in, any challenge is there to serve us.
Instead of feeling frustrated and upset that life isn’t going our way, we can choose to look at each challenge as a lesson and growth opportunity.
I know this is easier said than done.
Life and our habits aren’t this easy.
But maybe it’s a good place to start.
What challenge are you facing right now that could use a renewed perspective?
Make it a great day.
Jake
Love is not blind – it sees more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less. – Rabbi Julius Gordon
Getting close to our 16th wedding anniversary for me and Meaghan and this quote struck home.
Meaghan must really love me to be willing to see less in so many ways.
This quote applies to all of our relationships.
We can be easier on the waitress if we have love in our heart.
We can be a better teammate and coworker when love is our main priority.
We can choose to less of the faults of others by setting love as our default mode of operating.
Make it a great day.
Jake
"You should never be proud of doing what’s right. You should just do what’s right." – Dean Smith, former University of North Carolina basketball coach
A long time ago I read a biography of Dean Smith. What has stuck with me from that book was that he had a few simple rules and stuck with them.
It seems to me that part of his success was built by having unwavering discipline on certain things but flexibility in others.
Think about your own life and what is most important.
Maybe you make a rule limiting the amount of work hours each week so you can spend more time with your family.
Maybe you make a rule around physical activity or diet.
Maybe you make a rule to never let a month go by without doing a budget.
Whatever your rules, stick with them. Pick just a few, but don’t let them slide.
If you are having a really hard time with discipline, pick just one. Make just one simple rule and stick to it. Just for a day to start. Then for two, then for a week. Just get started.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Something to celebrate – Mavidea turns 11!
Hard to believe that 11 years have already come and gone.
A lot of life has happened in and around this thing called Mavidea and I’m thankful for all of it.
Thank you to all of you Mavideans for making it happen.
Thank you to all of the supporters along the way.
Make it a great day.
Jake
"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." – Jane Goodall
Good thought for the day.
Try to keep this at the front of your mind for the day.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy. – Saadi
Everyone stinks at first.
My favorite example of this is walking.
When a young child begins to walk, we cheer them on.
We help them and keep them safe, but we don’t discourage their progress by expecting them to get it right the first time.
We expect lots and lots of mistakes.
We encourage them to work through the failures and missteps.
We cheer them on when they take the first few tentative steps.
As you learn and grow, do the same for yourself.
Don’t expect perfection, encourage mistakes and next attempts. Celebrate the small victories.
Make it a great day.
Jake
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