Author: jakedavis1910

Daily Attitude Email 2 24 15

"Measure your emotions. You don’t need an atomic explosion for a minor point." — Jim Rohn

While I think Jim Rohn teaches this lesson well, the kids have made it really stick for me.

I’m not a child psychologist, but I think that as kids go through different levels of emotional development they essentially learn this lesson. Where once they would easily break down and cry or throw a tantrum, they learn to be civil and patient (at least some of the time).

As adults we are challenged with continuing this growth.

We choose our reaction in each scenario.

We choose how much emotion to apply to a given scenario.

Like all choices, a little wisdom and understanding goes a long way in helping us improve.

Something I think about a lot is what an ideal reaction to a given scenario might be.

A great dad would react like this.

A loving husband would say this.

A servant leader would do this.

Our success is won or lost in the day to day decisions like this. How much emotion and emphasis to place on the life that happens around us helps determine our focus.

Are you measuring your emotions?

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 2 23 15

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. – Anne Frank

Great way to start a Monday – with the reminder that we don’t need to wait to start making things happen. We can start right now.

This day, this week, this month can be your new beginning, the time you really poured it on.

The world changes when we do.

Change begins when we do.

Let’s get started.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Friday Morning Toe Tapper

http://youtu.be/UsiCoIZPY3Y

Maybe not as upbeat as some others, but the title got me on this one. The gift of a friend.

Calling a friendship a gift is a great reminder of two important things about friendship.

First, be thankful. When someone gives you a gift, you thank them. Be thankful for and to your friends.

Second, it is better to give than to receive. Friendship’s gift begins when you give it away.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 2 19 15

Last night was our Ash Wednesday service at church. Ash Wednesday begins the 40 days of Lent, a period of preparation for Easter.

I was reminded of this bible verse: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

In the past, I struggled a little with verses like this and church services meant to remind us of when we fall short.

But I’ve come to think maybe there is another side of it.

By realizing we ALL are not perfect, we can be in better relationship with those around us. We can serve and love our neighbors much better when we realize they are imperfect as well.

By realizing that I am not perfect I can begin the process of improving. By shining the light on my imperfections, I can move closer to a better me.

I wonder if the key is not shining the light on it for too long.

Shine the light on the area needing improvement long enough to see it, then move the light towards the future, better you. Focus on the goal and the improvement not the shortcoming.

Acknowledge the need for improvement but don’t dwell on it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

The Phrase That Pays

BAD – Courage is the price life exacts for granting peace. – Amelia Earhart

EB* – Accept who you are….unless you are a serial killer. – Ellen Degeneres

MS* – A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man. – Lana Turner

JW* – A day without sunshine is like, you know, night. – Steve Martin

JD – I’m an idealist. I don’t know where I am going, but I’m on my way. – Carl Sandburg

I was recently sent the hilarious (who doesn’t love a good quote about serial killers?) quote above from Ellen Degeneres.

While it made me giggle a little at first, it reminded me of something I see a lot on TV in particular.

Sometimes people are acting not like idiots and they try to cover it up by saying that they are just “being real” or just “being themselves”.

It can be easy to get into the trap of “If I just be myself, everything should be great” mindset.

I would highly recommend that we all be transparent, open and honest with those around us. And being comfortable with and content in your own skin is an important point of maturity that we should all head towards.

But it doesn’t mean that others have to like it. Or even like you. Or that your life won’t work out horribly if you are a horrible person.

Fortunately for us, we get to pick what kind of person we are. We can grow and change and “be real” from a better place.

Next time you are “being real”, think about whether or not this real version is someone you really want to be.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 2 17 15

"I said not long before that work and weakness are comforters. But sweat is the kindest creature of the three – far better than philosophy, as a cure for ill thoughts." – CS Lewis, Til We Have Faces

This line really stuck with me as I am reading through this book.

If you ever find yourself down, get sweaty.

Just find something to do that gets you sweaty.

Walk around the block.

Do a million pushups.

Lift weights.

Get your mind off of what is troubling you and onto to something else.

Often our worries and troubles overtake us because we allow them to dominate our thoughts. But it’s hard to let them dominate your thoughts when you are busy doing something challenging.

Plus, exercise is like good for you or something.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 2 16 15

Jim Rohn has a speech entitled “I am a wealthy man because….”

One of the reasons he considered himself wealthy was his heritage.

President’s Day is today and it reminded me of the wealthy heritage we enjoy.

We enjoy the fruits of hundreds of years of great men and women working on our behalf. They have put the infrastructure in place for us to live and enjoy our lives the way we do.

They fought wars we don’t have to fight.

They fought evil we don’t have to face.

They stood for something we now get to stand on.

We will also have our battles to fight, our evil to face and we must choose something to stand for. But we get to do so from a position of strength because of our past.

Today is a great day to be thankful for our heritage and our presidents.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 2 12 15

Love will draw an elephant through a key-hole. – Samuel Richardson

How many movies have you seen where the basic premise is that “love will conquer all”?

We seem to have an inherent belief that love can and will do the impossible.

As a Christian, I believe there is a really good reason for this, but today’s email isn’t about why it is.

Today’s email is just a simple reminder to keep believing.

Don’t give in to cynicism or negative thoughts.

Don’t let your heart turn cold and unbelieving.

Lean in to your belief that love always wins and that love is something worth fighting for.

Make it a great day.

Jake