Promise me you will remember; you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think. – A.A. Milne

Meaghan came across a little of quotes from kids books and I liked this one.

I’m sure this is not true, but I imagine every AA Milne quote from the eyes of Winnie the Pooh.

His simple, loving and kind nature allow him to take sentences like the one above at face value.

He doesn’t overthink it, and we shouldn’t either.

You are braver than you believe.

You are stronger than you seem.

You are smarter than you think.

God created you with all of this and more. He’s excited to see you make the most of it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. Dalai Lama

I would add “it comes by your own actions and thoughts”.

If we can get ourselves to a mature spot, we can recognize that any unhappiness in our lives is born from our own actions and thoughts.

It’s a tough place to get to for sure, but something I believe to be worth struggling with.

Recognizing this truth is one part of the equation, the other part is actually likely to be most helpful.

Want to be more happy?

Act and think happier.

This seems a little daunting if you think in absolutes, but I would suggest just keeping it simple.

Try to think and act happier more today than you did yesterday.

Perfection or continual happiness isn’t the goal, better than yesterday is.

Think one more happy thought than yesterday.

Take a moment to think about what you would do at this moment if you were happy, then do it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

I have for many years endeavored to make this vital truth clear; and still people marvel when I tell them that I am happy.

They imagine that my limitations weigh heavily upon my spirit, and chain me to the rock of despair.

Yet, it seems to me, happiness has very little to do with the senses. If we make up our minds that this is a drab and purposeless universe, it will be that, and nothing else.

On the other hand, if we believe that the earth is ours, and that the sun and moon hang in the sky for our delight, there will be joy upon the hills and gladness in the fields because the Artist in our souls glorifies creation.

Surely, it gives dignity to life to believe that we are born into this world for noble ends, and that we have a higher destiny than can be accomplished within the narrow limits of this physical life.”

~ Helen Keller

Wow.

Born for noble ends with a higher destiny.

Take these words to heart today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

New month, new week….time to shake it up.

Do something different today.

Changes things up.

Make it a great day.

Jake

I was looking through the archives of the daily attitude email the other day and came across the email below.

In honor of the Cubs getting into the playoffs again this year, I figured it was appropriate to send out again.

Resending without the approval of the author.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Happy Friday!

Sorry to copy Ron’s baseball theme from yesterday (awesome DAE Ron! and Susie!), but I thought this song seemed to be the obvious choice for this week’s toe tapper. You can stop here if you do not want to read my rambling about passionate baseball fans. 😉

(Someday We’ll Go) All The Way – Eddie Vedder official video

I feel I should confess that I am not a Cub fan, and also explain why I am nevertheless inspired by the outcome of this year’s World Series. I grew up on the south side of Chicago, and therefore cheer for "The Go Go White Sox…and whoever plays the Cubs!" (most of the time*). However, I did attend my fair share of games at Wrigley as a kid.

There is something so beautiful about being at a game in an old baseball stadium like that, full of tradition, with family and friends, and the pretty green field outside in the open air. It is so exciting to be there in a crowd of so many others cheering for the same team! There is a certain, deeply felt connection of the human spirit. Loyal fans get to know the players so well and want to share the ups and downs of each season with them and each other. Throw in the fact that there have been generations of families connected by this anticipation that someday they’ll go all the way, and now we have some real emotion surrounding this year’s World Series. If sports are not your thing, think of a concert, a movie or play, or a church experience that moved you and made you feel connected to the people who were there with you.

It is no wonder we know so many people who are so passionate about their Cubbies. This song by Eddie Vedder (I am a big fan of his voice) is a tribute to the team and the field that brings those fans together.

Let us be inspired by the people we know who are so passionate about something!

What are you passionate about?

What puts a smile in your heart and joyful tears in your eyes?

What rejuvenates you, or brings you peace?

What teaches you faith and gives you hope?

What helps you feel ready to do good for others, or connects you with people in some beautiful way?

Make it a great weekend!

Meaghan Davis

*I secretly felt like a Cub fan for the series. How could I not root for Chicago? I stayed up way too late watching game seven because I felt so bad for Aroldis after the eighth inning. When it came right down to it, I really wanted to see those guys win. Way to go, Cubbies. Congrats to all of you loyal, lifetime Cub Fans!

Let your mind alone, and see what happens. – Virgil Thomson

Many historical figures extol the virtues of creating space for your mind to wander.

We live in a time of unprecedented opportunities to always be stimulated by something or the other.

But we are missing out on having space to let our minds alone.

Find a few minutes today to just sit.

To think about nothing in particular.

To let your mind wander.

And then try it again tomorrow.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Raise the praise and minimize the criticize.

Not sure what the podcast was that Meaghan and I listened to that said this.

This was a podcast on parenting, but I think it applies across the board.

Take this simple idea out into the world with you today:

Raise the praise;

Minimize the criticize.

Make it a great day.

Jake

The habit of giving only enhances the desire to give. – Walt Whitman

Many of the feelings or character traits we desire in life can be grown out of simple, small habits.

Want to be generous – start the habit of giving a little.

Want to be courageous – find something small but outside of your comfort zone.

Want to be rich – manage what money you have today better.

Want to be healthier – start eating better one meal at a time.

With each step along the way, you will build your desire to do and be more.

Enjoy the journey, don’t beat yourself up for mistakes and stick with it until the end.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Attention – To all those who enter here

If you are coming into this room with sorrow or to feel sorry for my wounds, go elsewhere.

The wounds I received, I got in a job I love, doing it for people I love, supporting the freedom

of a country I deeply love. I am incredibly tough and will make a full recovery.

What is full? That is the absolute utmost physically my body has the ability to recover. Then

I will push that about 20% further through sheer mental tenacity. This room you are about to

enter is a room of fun, optimism, and intense rapid regrowth. If you are not prepared for that

Go Elsewhere.

From: The Management

This note became famous after Lt. Jason Redman (a Navy Seal who had been injured in a firefight in Iraq) posted outside of his hospital room.

I recently read his book and his story was inspiring.

Please go out to his site and make a donation:

https://combatwoundedcoalition.networkforgood.com/

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/FGBhQbmPwH8

One more time.

This seemed appropriate after yesterday’s 7 year anniversary of these emails.

Sometimes you just have to commit to one more time.

Don’t worry about forever or 5 years from now or even next week.

Just one more time.

Just one more work out.

Just one more day on the diet.

Just one more day without that cute blouse (I feel ya).

One more time.

Make it a great day.

Jake