It’s your life.
An important thing to understand at some point is that it is your life.
It’s your choice.
It’s your time.
It’s your attitude.
If you don’t like it, time to change.
You are the only one who can take responsibility. You are the only one that make the most of it.
Make it a great day.
Jake
http://www.success.com/blog/i-stopped-worrying-then-happiness-showed-up
This article does a good job of illustrating the pursuit of happiness in our modern times.
I hope you can find a couple of minutes to read and really think about it today.
Make it a great day.
Jake
We’ve had the pleasure of driving back and forth to Fairbury (a little town about 10 miles east of the little town we live in) a lot over the last month or so.
Every time we make the trip I am amazed by the rows and rows of corn.
From the road they look perfectly straight.
But from up close I am sure each plant has its own bends, twists and uniqueness.
It makes me think of the road of life.
What looks like a road is actually full of little twists, turns and bumps. What seems clear when we are zoomed out is confusing and hard up close.
Remember to take time to gain the perspective of stepping back a little.
Maybe your little row won’t look so bad.
Make it a great day.
Jake
No plan survives first contact.
This is a military saying that means the plan always changes after the first contact with the enemy.
The same is true in our personal lives.
No exercise plan survives the first time you get sick.
No diet plan survives first contact with Doritos.
No financial plan survives first contact with a sale at that fancy shoe store.
Ok, that last one was a stretch for me.
This saying seems a little negative at first, but I think it is secretly positive.
Because no plan survives first contact, we need to be adaptable and flexible and never quit.
If you go into it knowing that things won’t be perfect, you won’t have to be so hard on yourself.
You can have a bad day without giving up.
You can make a mistake or two without having to come up with a whole new plan.
Have you let yourself give up on something important because things went less than perfectly?
Is there something important you need to stick with?
Make it a great day.
Jake
“Some are born weird, some achieve it, others have weirdness thrust upon them.” ― Dick Francis, To the Hilt
While on vacation I saw a woman running. She was running fast, had all the gear on, etc.
I thought to myself “she must be one of the weirdos that actually likes running.”
And then I thought “maybe I need to be a little more weird.”
And then I thought “maybe I could send out a daily attitude email about this.”
And then I thought “better make a note so I don’t forget.”
And then you thought “get on with it, you weirdo.”
Anyways, achieving something meaningful or breaking through our self-constructed barriers usually involves getting weird about something.
The person who ends up with a fortune first had the person who was a little weird about making and saving money.
The person who loses the weight and keeps it off first had to be the person who was a little weird about the food they ate and how it was prepared.
The person with all the great friendships first had to be the weirdo who talked to everybody and invited himself over.
We are all a little weird in our way.
But maybe we should consider adding to it. Adding a little weirdness where we need to make a change.
Make it a great day.
Jake
I’m off today so I resent this one from a few years ago.
Not exactly a toe tapper, but that lady can sing.
Alone is an interesting concept in our society today.
Many of us feel lonely from time to time, even during this period of unprecedented connectedness and information.
We feel like we are the only one that is dealing with whatever we are struggling with.
Whether it be our health, our money or our relationships, we feel as if we are the only one.
I’m here to tell you, it’s not true.
I’m not saying this to minimize your feelings.
I’m saying it to open up an opportunity.
The opportunity to be vulnerable and open with those in your life. To build bridges towards others.
Take a chance and open yourself up to others. Work towards relieving their loneliness and yours will disappear.
Make it a great day.
Jake
I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you. – Joyce Meyer
Giving ourselves through service is one of our highest callings in life.
In order to give and give freely, we must be full.
Full of love.
Full of life.
Full of energy.
We fill ourselves by putting in good stuff.
We read good books.
We exercise.
We eat good food.
We receive love from friends and family.
We should fill ourselves up in order to pour ourselves out.
That’s why all the hard work and discipline is worth it. Because there is more to pour out.
We have less to give when we spend all we make, eat too much, don’t have any energy, and spend all of our free time entertaining ourselves.
What do you have to give?
Do you want to give more?
Got any ideas on what you could do to fill yourself up more in order to pour out more?
Make it a great day.
Jake
Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps because I am afraid, and he gives me courage. – The Hobbit
At some point during their journey, Gandalf is asked why he brought Bilbo (the hobbit) along.
The lines above are his explanation.
As you go about your day today, remember that you have an opportunity through your ordinary deeds to make a difference.
Make it a great day.
Jake
The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment. – Tony Robbins
Meaghan and I have been watching “I’m Not Your Guru” on Netflix the last few days.
It’s a documentary about Tony Robbins and the event that he runs.
So far, I have found it fascinating.
Somehow, once you get past the brazenness and cursing, Tony shows what I believe to be his true intentions.
He wants to make an impact by increasing the impact that others make.
He does everything he can to rattle people’s cages so that they come out highly motivated to make an impact.
It’s all more complicated and interesting than my simple explanation, but I couldn’t help but think of those who receive this email every day.
His quote is true of you as well.
Your limits are self-imposed.
Any lack of commitment or imagination you have is of your own doing.
The flip side is also true – you can change your impact by growing your imagination and your commitment.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Yesterday was Father’s Day and a great reminder of “Jake’s 51% rule”.
The 51% rule says that overall the world is always at least 51% good.
Seeing all of the pictures and posts on FaceBox reminded me of this.
Usually, my FaceBox feed includes a fair amount of political ranting and negative news, but not yesterday.
It was a great reminder that despite the negative news and people saying that “everything is going to hell in a hand basket” (whatever that means), most people actually have people in their lives that care a lot about them and people that they care about.
Are there bad dads out there? Sure. But there are a lot more good ones.
Are there relationships and hearts that are broken? Sure. But there are a lot more that are full.
Are there people bent on violence and inflicting pain? Sure. But there are a lot more hugging their children tight and tucking them into bed.
I’m not saying we should ignore or pretend that the evils of this world don’t exist.
I’m saying let’s spend a little more time realizing the most of us, most of the time have it pretty good.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Practical Steps for Friendship, Unity and Intimacy in Your Marriage
The Daily Attitude Email 