Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light. – Albus Dumbledore

Maggie has been reading a few of the Harry Potter books lately and so we watched some of the first movie over the weekend.

The books and movies do such a great job of taking you into a different world.

But they also do a great job of weaving in universal truths like the one from the quote above.

We can take inspiration and encouragement from the Harry Potter series.

If you aren’t already, I would encourage you to pick up a fiction book or book series.

Learn lessons and hone your personal philosophy by comparing it to the imagined world you are reading about.

Weigh their choices as if they were your own.

Face their fears as if they were yours.

Be inspired by their success.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/y3sdByw9uUc

The kids sang this song at church last Sunday at church and it has been in my head all week.

Today is Good Friday, Sunday is Easter Sunday.

Easter is a great reminder of what Christianity is all about.

The simple idea that Jesus suffered and died for us because of his everlasting love for each and every one of us.

Happy Easter.

Make it a great day.

Jake

A version of the same song with a little more pep (fast forward to about 1:30 to get right to the singing):

https://youtu.be/z0CsJ6GO05s

Last night was our Ash Wednesday service at church. Ash Wednesday begins the 40 days of Lent, a period of preparation for Easter.

I was reminded of this bible verse: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

In the past, I struggled a little with verses like this and church services meant to remind us of when we fall short.

But I’ve come to think maybe there is another side of it.

By realizing we ALL are not perfect, we can be in better relationship with those around us. We can serve and love our neighbors much better when we realize they are imperfect as well.

By realizing that I am not perfect I can begin the process of improving. By shining the light on my imperfections, I can move closer to a better me.

I wonder if the key is not shining the light on it for too long.

Shine the light on the area needing improvement long enough to see it, then move the light towards the future, better you. Focus on the goal and the improvement not the shortcoming.

Acknowledge the need for improvement but don’t dwell on it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

After Easter, there is another classic Christian story that is told almost every year – the story of Doubting Thomas.

The story goes that after Jesus rose from the dead one of the disciples (Thomas) said he wouldn’t believe that Jesus had risen until he saw the wound marks from the crucifixion. Jesus shows these marks and Thomas believes.

It is hard to believe without seeing.

Whether it be in a risen savior or in yourself.

Belief is such an important part of the process of goal achievement and personal development.

Fortunately, we can all “see” the results we want to achieve in our minds and in the results others have achieved.

We are fortunate to live in a time with so much written down and documented about the success (and failures) of others.

As you look at your life and any potential changes you want to make, believe in the change by seeing it first.

Picture it in your mind and find proof of someone else that has done it.

Once that belief is built, you are on your way.

Make it a great day.

Jake

“The great gift of Easter is hope: Christian hope which makes us have that confidence in God, in his ultimate triumph, and in his goodness and love, which nothing can shake.” — English Benedictine monk Basil Hume

One of the great things about Easter is church on Easter Sunday.

It reminds me of getting to go watch the end of a really good movie you have seen a ton of times.

Up until this point, it has played out the dramatic part of the story. The good guy has been betrayed, beaten, tortured and then finally killed.

But just as things look their darkest, the hero raises from the dead and everyone’s sins are forgiven.

The good guy wins. That’s my favorite part about Easter. Every year the good guy wins.

And that’s the part that helps to have a positive perspective on life.

The good guy wins.

Maybe not right away.

Maybe even not until the end.

But the good guy wins.

Every time.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Since I’m out of town/on spring break and it is Easter week, I thought I would send out a few emails from Easter’s past.

God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. – Saint Augustine

Easter was yesterday. Easter is the “big day” of the Christian faith. The day when Christians are reminded of the core focal point of their faith.

The Saint Augustine quote above reminded me of this core focal point. That God loved each of us enough to send his son to die on the cross.

Whether you are a Christian or not, there is also a life lesson in there. And this quote spells it out.

Love and serve others as if they were the only one.

Search today for an opportunity to serve someone else as if they were the only one.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/kbE2YOYk5rc

This one is a bit of a slow tapper, but the message is good.

Never give up.

Never give in.

Never let a ray of doubt slip in.

You are worth it. If you are stuck on something, don’t give in.

Make it a great day.

Jake

“Arnie’s Tournament” was last weekend and I came across this email I had sent a few years back when he passed away…

Arnold Palmer passed away on Sunday.

If you don’t know, he was a famous golfer and golf person in general.

Being a golf fan I have heard quite a few Arnold Palmer stories and with his passing they are being told again and again.

But in the interest of trying to help all of our attitudes and our chances of success at life, I noticed something that maybe we can all learn from (since we are unlikely to become professional golfers any time soon).

If you consistently make an effort to make the day of those around you, you will make the world a better place.

Arnold Palmer consistently took time to talk with someone or take a quick picture or sign a quick autograph.

He had a smile or a laugh to share with everyone.

And it made a difference. Everyone from the most famous golfers to the janitor have a story about how Arnold positively impacted them.

Maybe you don’t have quite the reach that Arnold had.

Maybe you don’t have as much money as he had.

But you can make an impact, one person at a time, just like he did.

Smile.

Talk to people.

Try to make their day.

Work to make the world a better place each day simply by interacting positively with those around you.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Most people have the will to win, few have the will to prepare to win. – Bobby Knight

I’ve been listening to a few of the interviews on Impact Theory (https://impacttheory.com/).

A consistent theme on the show is the willingness to do the hard work to succeed.

Reading through the lines a little I think most of the interviewees are actually talking about what Bobby Knight is talking about above – preparation and practice.

Consistently the interviewees talk about how they practiced and practiced something until it was second nature. How they mentally pictured and ran through a scenario over and over until they had it down cold.

What do you want to get better at?

What could use a little practice?

Be willing to invest in practice and preparation, it will make a difference.

Make it a great day.

Jake

First day of spring today. It reminded me of one of my favorite Jim Rohn thoughts about the seasons of life.

Listen to Jim Rohn’s wisdom here:

https://youtu.be/omPG2tMWDoQ

Jim implores us to take advantage of the spring.

Don’t be lazy or distracted.

Massively increase your efforts.

Do the work.

Don’t miss the opportunity to invest in your future.

Make it a great day.

Jake