You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club. – Jack London

Jim Rohn talks about discipline being the ultimate virtue, as it unlocks so many other opportunities.

This quote is a reminder that we can’t wait around for life to come and inspire and motivate us. We can’t wait for the brilliant idea or perfect opportunity.

I think Jim Rohn was talking about this very idea when he described discipline as the most important virtue.

Only when we have the discipline to continually pursue growth and change do we get the inspiration we desired at the beginning.

We fall into the trap of thinking that when the inspiration comes along we will have the motivation to develop the discipline.

It’s just not true.

The time to start developing discipline is today.

Begin with something small.

Drink water instead of something sugary.

Skip the drive through for coffee and save the money and brew your own.

Pick up the dirty clothes on the floor instead of waiting for your spouse to do it.

Make the bed.

Come into Jake’s office and do a few push ups.

Get started.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/RXe8PFKsOIc

Last week’s Dave Matthews Band song got a few responses – including a request for this song.

All you need is love, every day.

Consider this your reminder to love today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely. – Roald Dahl

A large part of improving our attitude and inner view of the world is so that we can make a larger impact on the world around us.

We long for significance and meaning.

We desire to be impactful.

This quote reminds me of the power of our attitude in the world around us.

You can shine for all and make their day lovely, if you choose good thoughts.

You can brighten and lighten the lives of those in your sphere of influence by simply thinking more positively.

I really think we underestimate this one. How much a smile or positive look or countenance can make a difference in the world.

Think positive. Smile.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy. Leo Buscaglia

This is a quote that falls into the “reminder” category.

Most of us are well aware of the folly of worrying.

But we still do it….

So, reminder for today.

Don’t worry, you are only wasting the only time you really have – today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

“What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.” – CS Lewis – “The Magician’s Nephew”

I like this mental picture.

Our view on life depends on where we stand and what kind of person we are.

I imagine a three dimensional model where you can move the little person around and easily see how the change in location changes perspective.

It’s not that big of a step from there to imagine that two different people could see the same exact situation and come away with a different perspective.

We are all facing life from the one and only perspective we have – our own.

Understanding that about yourself and those around you is a great step towards maturity.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are travelling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind. Henri-Frederic Amiel

Great reminder to start off the week.

Life is short.

Be swift to love.

Make haste to be kind.

Make time to gladden the hearts of those travelling along your life’s journey.

Sounds like a pretty good plan for the day to me.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/GhswH1bLMy8

Dave Matthews Band is another of Meaghan’s favorites.

Turn it up and make it a great day.

Jake

“The real things haven’t changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.” — Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder

Meaghan and the girls have enjoyed reading all of the Little House on the Prairie books over the years.

While I haven’t read them, I’ve listened in enough to get the lesson above several times over.

Things change.

Technology moves at a rapid pace.

But the “real things” haven’t.

Focus on the real stuff today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” – CS Lewis

I think you could use this as a generic definition for faith – the idea that everything will work out for the best in the end.

Growth and change are hard.

Our current habits and lifestyle are comfortable.

We must risk our current situation in order to get to a better future state.

But it’s worth it. All of it is worth it because it will all work out in the end.

How do I know?

I don’t, really. At least not in a provable, scientific, 100% guaranteed kind of way.

But I am convinced that having faith is a better way to live.

Have a little bit of faith today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

I haven’t the slightest idea how to change people, but I still keep a long list of prospective candidates just in case I should ever figure it out. – David Sedaris

Saw this quote the other day and it made me laugh.

How much of our lives is wasted on making and keeping lists of things that need to be changed about the people we interact with?

How much of our worry and fear is wasted on changing others?

It’s a trap!

People don’t change when or how we want them to.

Don’t fall into the other side of this trap though either.

Don’t let yourself become apathetic and negative because those around you won’t change on your schedule.

People do change. It’s true. I’ve seen it happen. Many times.

But they only change on their own schedule and for their own reasons.

Our best bet in moving towards better relationships and a better life is through change – changing ourselves.

Find that next positive change for your life and get started today.

You’ll be better for it.

Make it a great day.

Jake