I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another. Thomas Jefferson
What a great thought for the day.
We can be happier if we do good for others.
Lucky for us the opportunities for this good are all around.
Do something good for someone today.
Make it a great day.
Jake
I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught. – Winston Churchill
It takes humility to open yourself up to being taught.
In order to learn, our mind has to be open to new ideas and ways of doing things.
If you find you are stuck on something and can’t seem to start that new habit, kick that old habit or move into a higher gear; maybe that you are stuck on your own pride.
Maybe pride is stopping you from seeing that piece of information or person who can help you through.
Next step you feel stuck, look to see if your pride is in the way. Then move right past it and ask for help.
Make it a great day.
Jake
The eternal quest of the individual human being is to shatter his loneliness. – Norman Cousins
Quotes like this remind me to reach out.
Reach out to loved ones.
Reach out to friends.
Be nice to the waitress.
Hold the door for the stranger.
Smile at the passerby.
It seems a little less lonely when a kind act is being offered.
Shatter some loneliness today.
Make it a great day.
Jake
We watched Zootopia last night and this song stuck out to me again.
It’s a great reminder to try new things, make mistakes, learn and grow.
What’s something new you could try?
Make it a great day.
Jake
“But you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
I live with a couple of Harry Potter super fans so there is a lot of Potter talk around the house. Like all good novels, the Potter series includes some good life lessons along the way.
This quote is a great reminder for all of us.
Often the darkness in our lives could be quickly vanquished if we could just find the strength to turn on the light.
We wallow and stew about how dark it is, forgetting the light switch is right inside of us.
Turn on the light today.
Focus on the bright, wonderful light inside of you.
Make it a great day.
Jake
"Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile." – Wilfred Grenfell
It’s easy to get caught up in chasing stuff and the respect and admiration of others.
But real joy comes from doing something worthwhile.
Worthwhile is open for interpretation though, so we lose sight of the important in exchange for the tangible and temporary.
We lose sight of the fact that our relationships are worthwhile.
Things like hanging out with the kids, taking your spouse on a date, or spending time with a friend.
How are you spending your time?
Are you doing something worthwhile?
Make it a great day.
Jake
There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still. – Franklin D. Roosevelt
Going forward is the key.
It’s funny, we sure are good at convincing ourselves of the need to stand still.
We hem and haw and put things off.
We worry and calculate.
We let small obstacles become mountains.
If only we could apply all that creativity to moving forward.
What have you been stuck on?
What has been excused and explained away only to standstill?
Move forward today.
Make it a great day.
Jake
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
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
Practical Steps for Friendship, Unity and Intimacy in Your Marriage
