Another one of my favorite themes from the Olympics is the idea of “regular people” striving for excellence in their particular sport.

You hear stories about how a kayaker bags groceries to make ends meet or how the 10m air pistol guy sells insurance.

So many of the stories in the Olympics prove the kind of greatness someone can achieve when they really want something.

The Olympic stories show that hard work and perseverance can create excellence.

Maybe we all aren’t going to be Olympic athletes, but we can accomplish something amazing.

We can produce greatness.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/t2G8KVzTwfw

Every time the Olympics comes around I am reminded of this moving story.

The Olympics are such a unique event in that they are every 4 years and include athletes from all over the world.

Just making it to the Olympics is an achievement in its own right.

Regardless of that achievement there is only one gold medal winner. And sometimes it just isn’t their day.

In this video, Derek Redmond tears his hamstring halfway through the race. It just happened. No one’s fault. It wasn’t fair. In fact, it was supremely unfair.

But he chose to finish. He chose a path that has probably inspired millions since.

This unique sports event created a unique event that allowed all of us to be inspired.

Watch the Olympics this week and next. Look for that inspiration. And never give up.

Make it a great day.

Jake

(The author of this post was in no way compensated by NBC or the Olympics, but that would have been nice.)

https://youtu.be/Xn676-fLq7I

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

After reading several books about the Navy SEALs and other special forces one of my biggest take aways was the idea of adversity being a good thing.

They go through elaborate training scenarios that are designed to purposefully create adversity for the trainees.

This process creates stronger graduates from the training programs.

The graduates end up with an attitude of “Well, if I made it through that, I can do this next thing too.”

It’s really not that hard to set up a comfortable life.

But in the end, we must not seek comfort. We were built to grow and change and love. In order to grow and change and love we are going to be faced with adversity.

And in the end we will be better off for it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

"In my whole life, I have known no wise people who didn’t read all the time—none… ZERO." — Charlie Munger

Some ideas and plans for success fall into the optional category.

Some fall into the balance category.

Some fall into the requirement category.

This quote reminded me that growing and learning is one of them.

I am sure there are others.

The main idea I wanted to pass along was to not fight it.

There are some things everybody just has to do if they want to get anywhere near something that looks like success.

Don’t fight it. Lean into it.

Lean into growth and learning.

Lean into love.

Lean into taking care of your body.

Make it a great day.

Jake

JD – A successful marriage is an edifice that must be rebuilt every day. Andre Maurois

JW – Skunks smell bad but you don’t. – Ethan Warmbir

MS – The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. – Proverbs 11:17

EB* – That John Denver is full of shit, man.

Since EB is out this week and in the Rockies, I couldn’t resist putting in my favorite quote about the Rockies as his quote for the week.

The Rockies are a great reminder of the grand scope and beauty that exists in our world. Seeing pictures from family that visited this summer reminded me to be thankful for all of wonders in this world that we are lucky enough to enjoy.

Even if you aren’t lucky enough to spending some time in the mountains this summer, make it a point to appreciate this wonderful world we live in.

And if you aren’t in the mood for that, here is my second favorite quote about the Rockies.

https://youtu.be/GV3E5e7fZ6M

Make it a great day.

Jake

What we think, we become. – Buddha

Challenge for today.

Pay attention to what is going on in your mind.

And then think about this quote and decide if that is ok.

If you are going to become what you are thinking about, are you ok with that?

Or would you like to see something different?

Make it a great day.

Jake

You will never be free until you free yourself from the prison of your own false thoughts. – unknown

For some reason over the last few years I have noticed more and more how often people say things that just aren’t true.

We say “I can’t”.

We say “I’m just the kind of person that…”

We say “If it weren’t for….”

We tell ourselves lies. We say them often enough they become our version of the truth.

Lucky for us, we are not set in stone. We can change this pattern.

One thing I have begun thinking to myself or saying out loud is “That isn’t true.”

Step one is identifying the lies we tell ourselves.

Since the mind can’t think of two things at once, we can then work on replacing these thoughts.

We have a choice. It is our attitude that we can control.

Make it a great day.

Jake

http://thenicestplaceontheinter.net/

I don’t know if you have noticed or not, but there are a few negative things on the intertubes.

It’s smart to be a little careful with how much time you spend on the negatives. And to go out looking for the positive.

Plus, everybody needs a hug to start off their week.

Focus on the positive.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/MsW8rXPcnM0

It’s been hot lately and maybe a little harder than usual to embrace summer and all that is good about it.

But the good is there if you look for it.

Go find some good old fashioned summer fun this weekend.

Get outside.

Go swimming.

Enjoy it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure about you. We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. – Marianne Williamson

Embrace all of the awesomeness that you were created for.

It’s far too easy to shrink from our inherent greatness. To worry what others might think or to worry too much about failing.

Is there something you were meant for that you are hiding from?

Is there some greater service you could offer if you weren’t too afraid?

Did something immediately pop into your head when you read this quote?

If so, write it down. Right now.

Put it somewhere where you can’t miss it.

And get to work.

Make it a great day.

Jake