One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all”

“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed”.

I’ll keep it simple today.

Which one are you feeding?

Make it a great day.

Jake

In honor of the Super Bowl, I went in search of an inspiring story from the Super Bowl.

One player showed up time and time again: Derrick Coleman Jr.

He is the first legally deaf player in the NFL, which is amazing in its own right.

What’s more amazing is the story of an unlikely relationship between him and a set of deaf twins.

Here is a link to the complete story:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1945325-derrick-colemans-letter-from-new-jersey-girl-enhances-inspiring-journey

Spend the couple of minutes to read the story and be inspired by someone tough enough to overcome obstacles and caring enough to change the lives of two little girls.

Make it a great day.

Jake

JD – All violence begins with disconnection.

JW – It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves. – Sir Edmund Hillary

EB – Remarkable visions and genuine insights are always met with resistance. – Seth Godin

MS – What saves a man is to take a step, then another step. – CS Lewis

This short quote above came from an article Meaghan posted on FaceBox. (http://momastery.com/blog/2014/01/30/share-schools/)

The article tells of a brilliant system a teacher devised for determining which kids were getting disconnected from the others and needed a little help.

The story hits a chord that is core to all of us: we need to feel loved and to love others.

One of my favorite quotes is “a baby is born with a need to be loved and never outgrows it”.

This article was a great reminder of that fundamental truth.

So, what to do about it?

The same thing this teacher from the article has done. Look for those needing help and give it. Stand up to the bullies and up for those being bullied.

For us as adults, I think we can make it even simpler than that.

Treat each person as you would like to be treated. Give them the love, respect and honor you think everyone deserves.

Let’s get started.

Make it a great weekend.

Jake

http://youtu.be/lEsPhTbJhuo

Saw this on the Best of Jimmy Fallon Late Night the other day and had to send it out as a toe tapper.

When I see things like this I can’t help but marvel at the talent that others possess.

It’s awe inspiring that they can take a bunch of little kids instruments and make cool music.

And we all have some version of that inside of us.

Each of us was uniquely endowed with some talent or ability to positively impact this world.

Our job is to find it and follow it.

Some are glamorous and make people famous and rich.

Some are less glamorous and make people humble and grateful.

Either way, follow your path. Do the best with what you have been given. Be the best you possible.

Make it a great Friday.

Jake

You is important.

That last line from yesterday has really stuck with me since sending it out.

Everyone has an innate need to feel important. To feel that they matter.

In this deep need lies tremendous opportunity.

First, an opportunity to positively influence others. Think about it. All you have to do is make them feel important. Make them feel like they matter.

Second, an opportunity to realize our own importance. As far as I know, there is only one of you. In this very fact lies your importance.

There was only you created in a way to serve others the way you can.

There was only you created to love your spouse the way you can.

There was only you created to parent your children.

You. And that’s it.

Seems to me that you were intended for great things.

Make it a great day.

Jake

http://youtu.be/6TOnzKMaAP4

You is kind.

You is smart.

You is important.

For those of you who don’t know this scene, it is from “The Help”. It is a really dramatic moment in the (very good) movie where racial tensions have come to a head.

Amidst all the turmoil, the 9 words above really stuck out to me. By teaching these three short lines to that little girl, the nanny in the scene likely had a more profound impact on that girl than anything else.

What we say to ourselves and believe about ourselves is really important.

The soundtrack in our head determines where we think we are capable of going.

Imagine if someone had placed these three simple lines into your head when you were little.

Now imagine if you planted them in there for yourself, today.

What difference might that make in 1 year? 5 years? 10 years?

For those of us who have the chance to influence a young one (or more), what if you started with them today? What if you made that investment?

For all of us, what if you found someone and just said a simple kind word to them?

Remember:

You is kind.

You is smart.

You is important.

Make it a great day.

Jake

I was searching for something else and this daily attitude email came up in the search results.

Thought I would send it out again today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 8 21 13

A baby is born with a need to be loved – and never outgrows it. – Frank A. Clark

Today is the first day of school. A day of mixed emotions, lots of pictures and the all-important FaceBox post of the smiley little ones with their backpacks on.

Sending them off into the unknown and hoping for the best as your little ones move on and up through the grades is an emotional experience (at least it has been in our house so far).

Being married to a retired teacher (stay at home mom) each year also brings to mind thoughts of the teachers and staff at the school and my extreme gratitude and thankfulness for all they do for us. It is truly a great responsibility to watch over the shaping and molding of those young minds.

As I thought about the teachers and staff and came across the quote above I was reminded of the awesome responsibility each of us has for those we interact with on a daily basis. We may not be teaching little kids to read and write but our interactions with those we come across impact them.

Each person we meet was once someone’s baby. They were born with a need to be loved and still haven’t outgrown it. Their mom and dad have seen them leave the nest and now they are out in the real world, with us. Their parents trusted their most important cargo in our care.

They want appreciation, warmth, sincerity, honesty and all of the other great things in life just like you and me.

We have a choice as we go about each day.

Do we seize the opportunity to love and care for others or do we focus on ourselves and our own needs?

Make it a great day.

Jake

Life is not happening to you, it is happening for you.

I saw this somewhere recently and while I’m still not sure I completely get it, it struck me as containing some wisdom (can’t wait until I am wise enough to understand these things).

Life is not happening to you. I have written often of the freedom that comes with taking responsibility for your life. I am of the belief that this is the major step in becoming more mature.

Life is happening for you. I don’t think this is meant in a selfish or self-centered way. Not in a way that everyone and everything should be made to bend to your every whim.

I think of it more of an opportunity.

Life is happening for you in that it is an opportunity for you.

An opportunity for you to become the best you.

An opportunity for you to serve.

An opportunity for you to love.

Life is happening for you to take advantage of these opportunities.

Let’s get started.

Make it a great day.

Jake

JD – Must be the crystals in the atmosphere. – Nick Glimsdahl

EB – Sometimes I just wanna sue some dudes pants off just so I can put them on and take a selfie and post it to FaceBook. #hopethatdudehaslongjohns #coldweathergoosebumps #dudelookslikealady #arethosepinkundies?

JW – Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. – Albert Einstein

MS – Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God, do you learn. – CS Lewis

The Albert Einstein quote above hit me as I struggle with this one.

I tend to get a little over-analytical and overthink things.

Sometimes thing really need to be made more simple, not over analyzed.

The real wisdom in the quote is the recognition of the other side of the coin.

Some things are inherently complex and take a lifetime to figure out. That’s why I think God came up with the scheme of being married for the rest of your life. It takes that long to “figure out” your spouse. (I know, I am full of hilarious jokes).

Next time you are worrying about or over-analyzing something, just ask yourself this question:

Have I made this as simple as possible and not any simpler?

Remove the clutter from your thought process.

Make it a great day.

Jake

http://youtu.be/HxEYqiJ1Klw

This is a really powerful song about how you spend your life.

As you listen to the song, think about how you are living your life.

Make it a great Friday.

Jake