“You will become way less concerned with what other people think of you when you realize how seldom they do.” – David Foster Wallace

Reminder for the week – don’t worry so much about what other people think of you.

Instead – think of how you might be of the highest and best service to others.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/wuJIqmha2Hk?si=vvABvJSIF0Knp8DT

Some nice days this week.

Blue skies and milder temps.

Make the most of the nice days.

Spend some time outside and have some fun.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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My motto is: Contented with little, yet wishing for more. – Charles Lamb

One of life’s great balancing acts is the balance between contentment and striving to be more and better.

We probably don’t want to be so content that we sit around and do nothing.

We probably don’t want to be constantly wishing for more while missing today’s joy and peace.

Maybe the balance is struck in where we choose to focus.

Striving for more and better – focused on serving and helping others.

Contentment – focused on our internal attitude and our place in the world.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. – Charles Dudley Warner

I thought this one was pretty funny….

We do tend to spend a lot of our time in life talking and worrying about things over which we have no control.

Next time you are tempted to complain or become anxious over the uncontrollables in life, think twice.

Think of this funny quote.

If you are not (or can’t) do anything about it, stop worrying and complaining. Start planning and doing the hard work to turn it into a positive.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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These fallen heroes represent the character of a nation who has a long history of patriotism and honor – and a nation who has fought many battles to keep our country free from threats of terror. Michael N. Castle

A nation of character with a long history of patriotism and honor.

Memorial Day was a reminder of those who have given their lives to defend and protect us, but it was also a reminder that we have something worth fighting for and protecting.

Our nation isn’t perfect.

But it is something special.

It is worth fighting for.

Today I am thankful for our history and for all those who have gone before us.

Let us all be reminded to do our best to build upon and honor the past by making the most of the time we have.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/Kr0tTbTbmVA?si=uSzyd5fSqXvC1H6E

Maggie graduated. School’s out. Memorial Day weekend. Summertime!

Time to get outside.

Time to take a trip in the family roadster.

Time to make some memories.

Time to listen to Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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"The Shortcut to Contentment"

Comparison drops you at the dead-end of discontentment every single time. Whether you come out on top and feel guilty, or don’t measure up and feel short-changed, comparison always leaves you dissatisfied.

But there’s a secret to overcoming it: gratitude. The shortcut to contentment is thanking God, and it works no matter which side of comparison you’re on.

How? It’s an instant perspective adjustment. When comparison makes you feel short-changed, gratitude can shift your focus to all the blessings you do have. And when you’ve been blessed with a lot, thanking God puts you in the humble posture needed to use those gifts well.

Comparison is out to steal your contentment. But the habit of expressing gratitude is an easy way out of its trap. – Andy Stanley

Comparison is such a dangerous road to travel. Andy’s suggestion above is that the road is too narrow and isn’t worth the trip.

He suggests we skip it and instead take the road of gratitude.

We all have something to be thankful for.

In our darkest hour, there is a light shining somewhere.

Something to maybe add to Andy’s suggestion about being thankful. Tell someone.

Tell someone today that you are thankful for them, or even just tell them something you are thankful for.

Just tell someone.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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There is no influence like the influence of habit. – Gilbert Parker

Like the drip drip of water that eventually cuts through mountains as a raging river – habits can have massive effects.

I also try to think of habits as little changes you can make that make a difference over time.

From no exercise to exercise.

From candy to fruit.

From TV to books.

From cheeseburgers to salads.

Not much changes when you do it once. But do it everyday. Consistently. Over years. And it’ll make a big difference.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Patience is the companion of wisdom. – Saint Augustine

A key component of wisdom and maturity is learning to be patient.

Patient with others.

Patient with ourselves.

Patient with life and its happenings.

So much of what we worry and fret over tends to take care of itself – given some time.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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“You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!” – Dr. Seuss from “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”

This book from Dr. Seuss is a staple to hand out on graduation day.

It goes through a series of life lessons in a whimsical, Dr. Seuss kind of way.

Sometimes it’ll go your way. Sometimes it won’t.

Sometimes you’ll be alone. Sometimes you’ll be so full of love you think you might explode.

Graduation is a sign post in life here in America. A point in which children start the upward climb to adulting.

As parents, we mourn the loss of the childhood years and worry a little about the perils of adulthood facing our precious little ones.

But it’s also a day filled with hope. The kids all starting out on the journey up the mountain. So much is possible for them.

And for most of them – in this blessed place we call America – are going to make some pretty good progress up that mountain. A lot of amazing is going to come from the little high school in Downs that Maggie graduated from yesterday.

We can take this same spirit with us this week. Good things are waiting if we’re willing to do the work.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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