Men, women, and children who cannot live on gravity alone need something to satisfy their gayer, lighter moods and hours, and he who ministers to this want is, in my opinion, in a business established by the Creator of our nature. If he worthily fulfills his mission and amuses without corrupting, he need never feel that he has lived in vain. – P. T. Barnum

We watched “The Greatest Showman” yesterday and this quote reminded me of one of the recurring themes – making others laugh and feel good is a worthy pursuit.

It’s too easy to fall into the trap of constant worry and stress.

We put pressure on ourselves to be perfect or to get it all done.

We lose sight of ourselves by allowing the unimportant and trivial of life dominate our thoughts.

We can let go of all that.

We can laugh.

We can play.

We can enjoy our work.

We don’t have to choose busy, worried and stressed life everyone else.

We can choose peace, joy and love instead.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/dsxtImDVMig

This is a great idea to get stuck in your head all day.

Love is all you need.

Make it a great day.

Jake

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

This CS Lewis quote was in a book I read recently and it reminded me of an important choice we all must make each day.

I don’t know about you, but this quote reminds me of the importance of stepping out towards love each and every day.

Stepping into vulnerability isn’t easy.

Having a broken heart isn’t fun.

The price we pay for love is high.

But it’s worth it.

And the other options are even worse.

When you read this quote, what does it mean to you?

Whatever it inspires or reminds you to do, do it today. Don’t let the sun go down without having stepped forward towards love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Love doesn’t make the world go ’round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile. – Franklin P. Jones

Love and loving relationships are what make everything worth it.

It’s worth the risk of heart break in order love someone.

It’s worth giving up some (or maybe all) of my selfish desires in exchange for a loving relationship for another.

It’s worth being vulnerable in a very real and scary way in order to truly give your heart to someone else.

By loving someone else and focusing on make their ride worthwhile we find meaning and substance in our own life.

Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it feels like you are on a roller coaster. Sometimes it seems like it will never work out.

But it will and it does. It works out. It makes the ride worthwhile.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Love is action.

I sent this email a few months back, I was reminded of it as I thought about what to write today….

Love is, above all, the gift of oneself. – Jean Anouilh

The Bible talks often of this idea – giving up your life for another.

This quotes says it well in my opinion.

Somehow we must give our life away.

The more completely the better.

What’s the next step for you on this path?

What little thing could you start or stop doing to give more of yourself today?

What could you be working on to make the gift of yourself even more valuable?

Make it a great day.

Jake

A baby is born with a need to be loved – and never outgrows it. – Frank A. Clark

With Valentine’s Day this week, there will be lots of talk about love.

This quote is one my favorite reminders that we all need love.

Everyone is looking for all around them, every day.

This quote reminds me of the tremendous opportunity each day represents.

The opportunity to show love to others.

We all need it. We are all seeking it.

And we have the chance each day to be loving towards others.

In so doing, we are given the chance to be loved.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/kZf3Byq8oLA

Stevie Wonder amazes me.

He’s created so many great songs over such a long period of time.

And, oh yeah, he’s blind.

Stories like his are a great reminder that our excuses are really just excuses.

Make it a great day.

Jake

"Without momentum, even the smallest obstacle can prevent you from moving forward. But with it you can plow through anything." – John Maxwell

In the article where John Maxwell talks about momentum, he uses the example of a train. When just getting started, a train can actually be stopped by a one inch block on the track. When moving at full speed, a train will smash through almost anything.

Think about the areas in your life where you are struggling to get started. Maybe you just need to remove the small obstacle to get going.

Focus on a really small, really short term goal.

Once you do that, pick another one.

Keep up this process until you have some momentum. And then you will be unstoppable.

Make it a great day.

Jake

"If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment." – Marcus Aurelius

This is a great way to look at the stresses and worries of our lives.

All too often we give external forces power over our lives.

We let our lives seep away with worry and stress over events and circumstances external to our control.

Our power lies in what we choose to focus on.

Our days turn on what we choose to let dominate our thoughts.

What came to mind when you first read the quote?

What have you given power that you should revoke?

Let go of whatever it is. Let positivity, hope and faith rule your thoughts today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

For Jesus, there are no countries to be conquered, no ideologies to be imposed, no people to be dominated. There are only children, women and men to be loved. – Henri Nouwen

This idea is one I work to ingrain into myself every day.

All of us are children of God.

Each of us longing to be loved.

Our job is to be loving.

We are loved when we are loving.

When we place ourselves into service for others.

My sincere hope is that it really can be that simple.

Make it a great day.

Jake