https://youtu.be/PQazF6jUt8M

I liked the simple message in this one.

Every day is sunshine if I count my blessings.

It’s hard to argue with that.

Count your blessings today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Young people are in a condition like permanent intoxication, because youth is sweet and they are growing. – Aristotle

Last night I had the privilege of handing out a couple of scholarships to two El Paso Gridley High School students.

I have been lucky enough to attend a few of these senior awards nights at local high schools.

Each time I am struck by the “kids” getting the awards. They smile and accept their awards with more respect and dignity than I’m sure I would have had at their age.

After the ceremonies, as I am driving home I think to myself that all of the “we’re going to hell in a handbasket” people have it all wrong.

Sure, the next generation isn’t like previous generations. And I’m certain they aren’t perfect.

But, I’m convinced that there are a bunch of great kids out there. Most of them wanting to make a positive impact for others.

Us older people have a tremendous opportunity. We can embrace and support the next generation through mentoring, coaching and leadership. We can help them become a generation of leaders and increase their impact on society.

Make it a great day.

Jake

In search of something good to write, I came across this site:

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/

Go to the site and pick out an article to read.

Make it a great day.

Jake

JW – When you are the anvil, be patient. When you are the hammer, strike. – Arabian Proverb

JD – Care is a state in which something does matter; it is the source of human tenderness. – Rollo May

BAD – I emailed you one.

EB – It’s hip to be square. – Huey Lewis

JR – I drank what? – Socrates

MS – Value proceeds progress.

“I don’t care” is one of those phrases that are like nails on a chalkboard to me. By the time the kids move out of the house, I’m sure they will be tired of me correcting them when they let this one slip.

I usually say some version of “You do care….and here’s why” or “I’m sure you would care if I….(insert an option they won’t like much)”. Like I said, I’m sure they will grow a little weary of my lectures on this one.

I write all of this not to lecture you either, but to maybe show you the importance of words. Especially a word like care. Care is the source of human tenderness.

Choose your words carefully (see what I did there…).

Make it a great day.

Jake

"God has the tough end of the deal. What if instead of planting the seed you had to make the tree? That would keep you up late at night, trying to figure that one out." — Jim Rohn

Sometimes we don’t need to worry about all the details and all the what-ifs of life.

We simply need to do the best job we can doing the work of planting and caring for the seed and trust that it will work out in the end.

When have you let the details of life get in the way of taking action and moving forward?

Today, pick an area where you are procrastinating by waiting on or hiding behind the details and take action.

Make it a great day.

Jake

One of my other favorite scenes from “The Sandlot” was when the leader of the group is inviting the new kid to come play with them.

The new kid makes a series of excuses (no glove, etc.) and the leader of the group takes away all of the excuses by giving him a glove, etc.

We all need someone to come into our lives and do that for us sometimes.

We need someone to cut through all of our excuses and pull us out of our comfort zone.

Someone to show us that we don’t really have anything holding us back.

If you have someone in your life like that, be grateful.

Be that leader for someone you love.

Challenge them to break through something you have seen them make excuses about.

Take away their excuses. Leave them with no choice but to step forward.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=875138505875801

Mother’s Day is Sunday.

Being married to a mother has brought a whole new perspective on motherhood and my mother.

I was there the moment my wife became a mother. When Maggie was born, this beautiful, wonderful, amazing woman became something even better.

It was like in a movie or something where the main character now has superpowers.

She could stay up all night feeding and rocking a baby.

She had an infinite supply of love for this new little life.

She would go to the ends of the earth for her children.

And this is just the short list, she added many other uncanny mother abilities that have been passed on through the generations.

I suspect my mom went through this same change, in this same amazing way.

I’m willing to bet that all mothers go through their version of this. Becoming something different that day their first child is born.

And for this change, I am thankful. Specifically, thankful for my mother and my wife. Generally, thankful that the world has mothers to care for us.

Make it a great Mother’s Day for your mom (or if she isn’t around, a mom you know).

Jake

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. – George Bernard Shaw

What are you creating?

Make it a great day.

Jake

Yesterday, as part of the flu recovery process, we watched “The Sandlot” with the kids.

After the main character’s first successful day on the field making friends, he was heading back into his house with a huge smile on his face and a spring in his step and Maggie says “Wow!”

I was immediately reminded of why “The Sandlot” is such a great and universally understood story.

We can all understand and appreciate that moment when we were heading home from a friend’s house or from school or wherever with that same spring in our step. With that same big goofy smile on our face.

I believe we all have a need to be in community with a group of friends, working toward something meaningful.

This is part of why I believe we have something special going on at Mavidea. We are a community work towards meaningful goals.

And for that I count myself lucky.

Make it a great day.

Jake

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

When asked for interviewing or resume advice, I always start with “Smile.”

After that, my next advice is to know yourself and be yourself.

The last time I gave this advice I realized it needed a bit more explanation.

We should work to be ourselves and know ourselves not so that the rest of the world can bend to our will and deliver our happiness.

We must know ourselves and be ourselves in order to find the places and ways we can be of greatest service to others.

Only by knowing and being our true, authentic self can we know where we can offer the best service.

No job, career, family set up or volunteer opportunity will be the “perfect one” where we will find bliss and everyone will be happy.

But we can move towards better.

A better fit for our unique form of service.

We get to choose where and how to offer our service. Choose wisely.

Make it a great day.

Jake