It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live. – Marcus Aurelius

We spent the last few days with family in Florida celebrating the life of Meaghan’s aunt who recently passed away.

As we remembered her, we remembered how she lived, we remembered the good stuff.

I left inspired to create more of that in my life.

More memories.

More relationships.

More adventure.

Might as well.

Anything on your wish list that you should start on today?

Anyone in your life that needs a visit?

Make it a great day.

Jake

In order to attain the impossible, one must attempt the absurd. – Miguel de Cervantes

I think everybody should have at least one goal on their list that their friends and family think is a little crazy.

We should be pushing the envelope in interesting ways.

We should be trying new things that are outside of our comfort zone.

We should be branching out and trying new things.

Only when we are attempting the absurd do we get to see and do things we didn’t think were possible.

Do something a little absurd today?

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/z5oC0v-BDbE

For some reason this song seemed appropriate as a new baby entered the family this week.

Life goes on.

The happy memories continue to pile up.

Make the most of it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see. – C. S. Lewis

My brother in law and sister in law had their baby yesterday.

Each time someone close to has a baby I am reminded of this quote from CS Lewis about miracles.

Each baby born is a miracle.

It is a retelling in small letters of the larger stories across the world.

Stories of love.

Stories of self-sacrifice and service.

Stories of change.

Stories of family.

Each day is a miracle in that we are living our part in the larger stories of the world. Each day is an opportunity to participate in the grander miracles.

Make it a great day.

Jake

“If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?” – John Wooden

One of the greatest lies we can tell ourselves is that we don’t have time to do what we want.

We can convince ourselves that since we don’t have time, less than 100% effort is ok.

We can explain away not having time to exercise, spend time with our families, etc.

But this quote is a reminder that if we don’t make time for the important stuff now, when will we have time to do it over?

The answer is that we won’t.

And some areas of life don’t get a chance for a do-over.

When it comes to our important relationships (as an example), we only have the time we have. We can’t make more time later.

What do you need to make time for today?

Make it a great day.

Jake

Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere. – Carl Sagan

Our imagination is a powerful tool in our quest for success and happiness.

The mental pictures we create in our minds can lead us astray if they are not carefully cultivated and managed.

Without careful intention, our thoughts and mental images can turn negative and pessimistic.

But with careful and purposeful intention our mental images and imagination can take us anywhere we want to go.

Where is that you want to go?

What is it that you want to see in your life?

Spend a few minutes today in focused thought about something you really want in your life.

Make it a great day.

Jake

The envious man grows lean at the success of his neighbor. – Horace

After reading this quote I got a mental picture of a man leaning on a fence looking at his neighbors green grass and the man gets leaner and sadder as the days fly by.

Spending your life envying what others have is a surefire way to waste it.

What do instead?

Be grateful and paint a vision of your own future that is worth working towards.

Find something or someone to be grateful for today. Tell someone.

Write down one thing you are looking forward to in your own life. Tell someone.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/MJDuGjMwsow

Prince’s passing is another reminder to celebrate and embrace what life we are given.

Seize the day.

Celebrate and be thankful for all you have been given.

And go a little crazy.

Make it a great day.

Jake

A man must not deny his manifest abilities, for that is to evade his obligations. – William Feather

We were all born with abilities and talents.

We have all developed many skills and have the opportunity to continue our growth.

We are obligated to do the best we can with all of it.

We have a duty to everyone else and ourselves to make the most out of what were given. Anything else is wasteful.

Make it a great day.

Jake

MS – When Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone he had 3 missed calls from Chuck Norris.

JW – Death once had a near Chuck experience.

JD – Chuck Norris can kill two stones with one bird.

MS – Chuck Norris ALWAYS talks about fight club.

EB – Chuck Norris doesn’t have an escape button on his keyboard, no one ever escapes.

https://www.facebook.com/MoviepilotAction/videos/870333609756843/?fref=nf

Nothing deep and thoughtful on this one, just a little giggle.

Make it a great day.

Jake