Resending this daily attitude from a few years ago. The Widow’s Offering is a Bible story I think of often…

The Widow’s Offering – Mark 12:41-44

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Listening to Jim Rohn again reminded me again of this story and this old daily attitude email about it.

An important component in life is the giving of ourselves in service to others.

It’s easy to get caught up in just the monetary aspect of the story. Maybe even feel bad because you haven’t given away all of the dollars you have earned.

And while I think that is an important element of the story, I believe that maybe a more important idea in today’s world is giving all of ourselves in service to others.

In service to our families.

In service to our church or favorite local charity.

In service to our clients.

In service to our teammates.

Make it a great day of service.

Jake

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Nobody ever drowned in his own sweat. – Ann Landers

This reminds me of saying Earl Anderson used to always say – “The best way to kill time is to work it to death.”

Hard work is important.

Work smart is a good idea. Work life balance is a great idea. Not falling victim to being busy all the time is a good idea. Smelling the roses is good.

But all this wisdom really only applies if you’re willing to spend a decent chunk of your time working hard.

Jim Rohn says “make rest a necessity, not an objective”.

Work hard then rest.

Work hard then smell the roses.

Work hard then take a vacation.

Being action and work oriented is an advantage that is hard to beat.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Free speech carries with it some freedom to listen. – Warren E. Burger

Thought this would be a great reminder during the election season.

We are free to speak. And hopefully free to listen (twice as much as we speak – two ears and one mouth).

The Bible talks frequently of the dangers of how and what we speak. That we must bridle our tongues.

What could you do to speak less?

What would better listening look like in your life?

To be the first to listen – to listen to understand.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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It seems to be a law of nature, inflexible and inexorable, that those who will not risk cannot win. – John Paul Jones

A simple reminder this morning. You can’t win without taking a chance.

Is there something you need to take a chance on?

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/W-TE_Ys4iwM?si=heiSS1KLre4aYMhs

One good thing about the start of another school year is the clear distinction from one period to the next.

Like the ending of one chapter and the beginning of the next.

Time marches on. It’s helpful to have markers along the way to show you are making progress.

This goes for kindergartners and grown ups.

Since most of us are past the school stage of life we need to set our mile markers along the way.

Whether they are goals or just simple traditions at home to mark the changing of the seasons they show us whether we have grown or atrophied, succeeded or failed.

We are made for meaning and progress. Set yourself a direction and move towards it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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We made it….phew!

We successfully (I think) dropped Maggie off at SIU.

When we were at Target (feels like a mandatory part of college move in day) I noticed a lady next to us in the pick up spots who seemed to be going about her day as usual. Blissfully unaware that we were dropping our baby off at school for the first time.

I was reminded (once again) that the world is not about me and what I have going on.

Everyone has their own stuff happening.

Other people were having a big day yesterday too.

Some people were getting married, some were having kids, some were saying goodbye to a loved one for good.

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in ourselves and not realize there are “big days” happening all around us.

Some people need a warm smile or a friendly hello. Some need prayer. Some need a Savior.

Our role is to be of service in love. To think of others first and figure out how to serve them.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – Thank you to everyone who did just that for the Davis family over the last few days (and the other days over the years). Your prayers and well wishes were felt and made a difference.

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However painful the process of leaving home, for parents and for children, the really frightening thing for both would be the prospect of the child never leaving home. – Robert Neely Bellah

Big day today in the Davis house. We’re moving in to her dorm.

So many mixed emotions. The end of one phase of life and the beginning of another.

As a parent, you want your kids to grow up and become independent.

You just don’t want it to happen so quickly.

You lament all that you could have done better and wonder if they are ready.

You’re excited about their future and all it could bring.

A lot of emotions all around.

In the end, I know that God has a special plan for Maggie. And that plan likely includes her growing up and not being around all the time like we’ve done so far.

Wish us luck!

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. – Robert Louis Stevenson

The person who plants the most seeds get the most harvest.

Quantity and quality are both important.

What kind of seeds are you planting?

How well are you planting them?

We must be diligent both in our efforts and in our discretion.

Wonder how are you doing so far? Look at the harvest you are reaping now. Look at the next 3 years and guess at the harvest to come. Read books and study and compare that to what you are doing.

The bounty of harvest is available to us all. There is no shortage. There is enough for everyone.

Too philosophical for you? Think of some seeds you can start planting today.

Exercise.

Save and invest some money.

Call an old friend.

Buy your wife some flowers.

Take a friend out to lunch.

Read a book.

Read the Bible.

Pray.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. – William James

Monday morning reminder – you make a difference.

You are needed.

You have an important role to play in making it all turn out the best way it can.

All because you can be of service in love.

Even if you have to start real small with a real small service with just a little love – that makes a difference.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – You can also make things worse. If you make poor choices things will get worse for you and those around you.

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https://youtu.be/nhdDbQ3rL3k?si=E54-UXwYYZpi7sJ0

Back to school week next week for the Davis kids.

A time of change. A new grade and set of teachers and classes for two of the kiddos and a whole new experience for one who is heading off to college.

Change isn’t easy. It’s scary and uncomfortable.

On the other side of change is the good stuff. For the kids with their school changes it usually ends with lots of learning, friendships and some good memories.

For us adults it could mean growth, opportunity and something better.

The truth though is that sometimes things change for the worse. Or at the very least something that feels worse for now.

The question becomes – do you risk it? Stay where you are and work to stay in your comfort zone or change and risk it not working out?

The answer isn’t always to risk it. The answer isn’t always to stay comfortable.

You’ll have to find your own balance of the two.

For me, I try to lean towards risking it. Even if it means forcing myself to try something new.

What do you think?

Make it a great day.

Jake

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