I don’t think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains. – Anne Frank

I’ve seen a few other stories and quotes like this that have come out after the Holocaust and World War II.

People that have lived through the worst this world has seen and come out focused on the beauty that remains.

And we get stuck on all this little trivial stuff.

What other people think about us.

What our friend, co-worker, etc. did or didn’t do.

What’s for lunch.

Whether or not “they” have it all wrong about that important issue.

There is a lot to worry about, to be sure. But there’s a lot of beauty that remains.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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The best way out is always through. – Robert Frost

Always might be an exaggeration here but the general thought seems to be true.

Forward and through is most often the best path forward.

Push on through what is uncomfortable to growth.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – Jim Rohn has a good phrase here – at least for the season – stick out through whatever season you are going through. You can change directions later, but for now – see it through.

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God warms his hands at man’s heart when he prays. — John Masefield

The Bible asks us to pray without ceasing. As in – all the time.

As I get older and have met more and more people I’m convinced part of the reason is that so many of us (all) are in need of it.

We need healing.

We need hope.

We need love.

We need help.

We need prayer for all of the above.

What is prayer? What does and doesn’t prayer do? Why do some prayers get answered and others don’t? These are all questions above my pay grade and understanding.

I’m trying to take the simple approach – pray all the time for as many of us as I can think of.

Say a prayer today – for somebody who needs it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/37wV6D49iEY?si=CKrqyWxJ5HIDmTB9

More of a slow tapper, but a good message.

One of the mysteries of the Christian faith is that Jesus dwells within.

He is there.

For the good times.

For the bad times.

For the best times.

For the worst times.

He’s with you through it all.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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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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