Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. – Mahatma Gandhi

A major cause of anxiety is in not living up to our ideals and potential.

We are happiest when our thoughts, actions and words line up with the best in us.

An interesting side effect of living in a time and place where we can have everything we want is the anxiety produced when we don’t follow through and get it.

I believe the solution is in simplicity.

When we simplify what we want and are motivated by it, we follow through.

We are able to line up our thoughts, actions and words better when there aren’t so many distractions to try to line up with.

So, for this week, what is your happiness thought?

What can you do to simplify and line up your life for happiness?

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – I am off the rest of the week. If you are interested in volunteering to send out the daily attitude email, just let me know.

https://youtu.be/DaIZvCDWAcQ

(This one comes with a special appearance by the Donald).

Classic Ghostbusters memories coming back from this one.

Movie themes and soundtracks are an integral part of the movie and our experience watching it. They bring us along emotionally with the story line.

Make your theme song today something positive.

Create a positive energy and enthusiasm by introducing some positive music.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines. – Robert H. Schuller

Too often we allow a snag or a hang up stop us from reaching our potential.

The example from my life is working out.

I’ll have a good couple of weeks.

Then I’ll skip a day or two.

For some reason my brain sees it as a stop sign.

Before I wake up a couple of weeks have gone by.

Don’t let a bad day or two be a stop sign. Just get right back on the horse. Let the problems or excuses fall to the side as you push forward.

Make it a great day.

Jake

JD – In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves. – Harry S Truman

JW – No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

EB – Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6:35

MS – Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The Bible verse that Mike shared is one of my favorites.

The Bible is full of advice and warnings that seem to constantly suggest we need to find and follow God’s will if we desire to be happy and successful.

This is where I make things much harder than they need to be. I ponder, guess and flail around trying to figure out what God’s plan for me is.

I don’t need to guess or wonder what God wants from me.

Rejoice all the time.

Pray constantly.

Give thanks.

Not a bad plan.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Nine-tenths of wisdom is being wise in time. – Theodore Roosevelt

The largest part of success appears to lie in our time management.

How we choose to spend our time determines our results.

One of the biggest challenges we have in this area is choosing what is best over what is good.

Watching TV may be good, but is it the best use of your time?

Checking email may be good, but is it the best use of your time?

Surfing the FaceBox is good, but is it the best use of your time?

If we want to do our be our best we must seek out the best.

What is the best thing for you to do first this morning?

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – I am going to be out next week and am still looking for volunteers to send out the daily attitude one or more of the days. Email me if you are interested in filling in.

Meaghan and I have been reading “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale (I would highly recommend it).

One of my favorite ideas from the book is the idea of saying a little prayer for the strangers we pass by and interact with in our lives.

He tells the story of praying for the people at the train station along the way while riding the train.

Today, make it a point to pick out someone along the way and say a silent, positive prayer for them.

Pray for their health.

Pray for their family.

Pray that they will find peace.

It is a great way to remember that we are all in the same boat.

We all worry.

We all fall short.

We all need help.

We all could use a little more peace.

And the best way to find what we desire is to look for opportunities like this. Opportunities to spread love and joy to others, in whatever way possible.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – I will be out of the office next Tuesday through Friday. If you would be interested in sending out the daily attitude email one of those days, let me know.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. – John F. Kennedy

A great way to start the week is to remember all that we have to be thankful for.

We are so very fortunate.

This quote is a great reminder to go a step further than gratitude.

Take action.

Make the most of all that has been given to you.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/NTmk0Pqk6hs

It is amazing to see what a talented group of creative people can create.

This group creates covers for lots of popular songs.

We all have our way of creatively making the lives of others better.

Lean in to yours today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Rest is part of doing your best.

As we work towards our goals and ambitions for our lives, we need to make rest a part of the equation.

Each day we must rest and renew ourselves through adequate breaks and sleep at night.

Each year we must take time away in order to renew and restore ourselves for the rest of the year.

By taking time away and resting we create the energy and enthusiasm to tackle our greatest ambitions.

What does rest look like for you?

Do you get enough sleep every night?

Do you need to make some changes?

Hurry and up and get rested already.

Make it a great day.

Jake

JD – There are more people who wish to be loved than there are who are willing to love. – Nicolas Chamfort

JW – If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 1 John 4:20

EB* – Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you! – Dr. Seuss

MS* – When unhappy, one doubts everything; when happy, one doubts nothing. – Joseph Roux

A core element of the human experience is the desire to be loved and to be found lovely.

Because at least one person each day will be unwilling to love, this always leaves a need somewhere.

Fortunately for us, we can be the one fill that need.

We have the opportunity each day to show love to those we interact with.

We can be the one that is willing to love.

Don’t let today go by without showing or telling someone that you love them.

Make it a great day.

Jake