Many a trip continues long after movement in time and space have ceased. – John Steinbeck

Vacation season is upon us.

Many of us will be taking a trip over the summer – trying to make memories and relationships that live beyond the one week we are gone.

Each trip is an opportunity to come back changed a little for the better.

If you are taking a trip this summer – make the most of it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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I truly believe that everything that we do and everyone that we meet is put in our path for a purpose. There are no accidents; we’re all teachers – if we’re willing to pay attention to the lessons we learn, trust our positive instincts and not be afraid to take risks or wait for some miracle to come knocking at our door. – Marla Gibbs

One of the ideas behind having a growth mindset is looking at the happenings of our lives and thinking – what am I supposed to learn here?

To be patient or aggressive?

To be careful or take a risk?

To rest or get back to work?

We have the opportunity to learn these lessons in our own choices and results. To be sure – personal experience is the most impactful teacher.

But we can also watch and observe others – not to judge them or their character, but to judge whether those actions and choices might benefit us and our situation and circumstances.

Pay attention today, you might just learn something.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough. – Lao Tzu

I don’t know about you, but I need to work on my contentment.

To be able to take a deep breath and find the joy in the moment that I’m currently in.

To be thankful for all my blessings.

If you hear me whining or complaining about anything – call me out on it.

If you even think I might be thinking about it – call me out on it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Childhood is a short season. – Helen Hayes

Not sure why but childhood and summer are intertwined in my mind.

The idea of this period that seems like it’s lasting forever while you are in the middle of it but it gone so quickly you find yourself wishing it would return.

Make the most of the summer!

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Another DAE from a few years ago….

https://youtu.be/3GwjfUFyY6M

Sunday will be our 13th anniversary so I couldn’t resist sending out this classic that has probably been played at more weddings than you can count.

Weddings and anniversaries are a great reminder of how lucky some of us are having found our wife or husband.

If you are lucky enough to have a spouse, give them an extra squeeze and “I love you” today.

If you haven’t found that person yet, keep looking. It’ll be worth the wait.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Another DAE from a few years ago….

“Grace is something you can never get but can only be given. There’s no way to earn it or deserve it or bring about any more than you can deserve the taste of raspberries and cream or earn good looks.” – Frederick Buechner

Today marks Meaghan and I’s 19th wedding anniversary.

We’re getting up in years enough that sometimes people will ask questions along the “how’d you do it?” line of thinking.

While I’m busy pondering and over-analyzing things Meaghan usually answers with some form of “grace”.

Thinking the best of the other person even when they don’t deserve it.

It is great advice for all of our relationships and interpersonal interactions – from the waitress to our spouse our lives will be more full of joy if we choose to respond with grace as frequently as possible.

Grace is a great area to practice giving and generosity. The more you give and the more generous you are the more joy you will experience. It’s not an equation I can document or fully explain, but I’m convinced it is just how life works on this planet.

Thank you to Meaghan for being a great example in my life of showing grace (maybe it is because I give her so much practice?).

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Below is the email I sent out in 2012….time sure does fly!

Today is Meaghan and I’s tenth anniversary.

Hard to believe that she has put up with me for the last ten years. In thinking about what to write today I figured that someone who can stay married to me for ten years has a few things to teach us about attitude.

So, in honor of our tenth anniversary, here are 10 things about Meaghan that might help us with our own attitudes.

1. Be creative. Meaghan loves to create things and gets joy from it.

2. Have a good sense of humor. She still makes me laugh (and even laughs at some of the things I say).

3. Put family first. As a stay at home mom, she does this every day.

4. Enjoy the small treats of life. Whether it be an ice cream cone with the kids or a special dinner made for someone’s birthday, learn to enjoy “the small stuff”.

5. Embrace God in your life.

6. Enjoy the outdoors. Nature is such a wonderful part of the world, enjoy it.

7. Grow something. She loves to work around the yard growing things.

8. Grow yourself. She is committed to reading, studying and doing other things to become a better mom, wife and person.

9. Be generous. Be generous with your time and your money.

10. Be humble. She will most likely have mixed feelings about this list, but that is just another great thing about Meaghan.

I could go on and on, but these are just a few that I thought I would share this morning.

Thank you for a great 10 years, Meaghan. Here’s to another 10.

I put Meaghan’s email address in the cc line for anyone that would like to send her some consolation of some kind for being stuck with me.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Friday is our 22nd wedding anniversary. Since I’ve been writing these emails for 14 of those years, there are quite a few with my thoughts as we passed these anniversaries in our lives. I thought I would share a few from the past this week.

—

We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. It is a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person. – W. Somerset Maugham

Today is a great reminder that I must be the luckiest man alive. Today is our anniversary (14 years!).

It must be a miracle that my wife continues to love a changed person, year after year.

Marriage has been such a great teacher and example in my life.

Maybe it is that we were lucky enough to marry the right person.

Or maybe it is that we have put in the work.

But the lesson keeps ringing through – love is about learning to put someone else before yourself.

And this lesson has applied and helped everywhere in my life.

Meaghan sure is a lot easier to love and put first than others, but the truth is there. In order to create a meaningful relationship, you have to put the other person first.

And when things aren’t going as you would like, check there first. Are you putting the other person first?

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps because I am afraid, and he gives me courage. – The Hobbit

Oliver’s been watching this series again and the line above stuck out to me.

Tolkien did such a great job in this series of painting the picture of these epic battles of good and evil – all decided by the actions of a few people of genuine character.

Most of the battles between good and evil are fought in our day to day lives.

In traffic. Getting everyone out the door and to school on time. Customers that don’t listen. Coworkers who aren’t the person we’d like them to be.

All opportunities to choose good over evil. To move towards better instead of worse.

This is an opportunity, not a curse. We can and do effect the outcomes. We make a difference.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/J9FImc2LOr8?si=rOOS8ZhVsxBxcfCk

I listened to a podcast the other day where they interviewed Mugsy Bogues.

For those that don’t know, he is one of the best known “short guys” in NBA history. He was 5 foot 3 inches and had a very successful career in the NBA.

In the interview he could have complained about being treated unfairly or being looked down on (see what I did there) but instead he was nothing but positive.

He was appreciative of all that he had experienced and all he had done in the league.

He explained how he used his “disadvantage” to see and do things differently.

He was humble and kind and grateful.

It was downright inspiring.

We may not have the opportunity to play in the NBA, but we do have the opportunity to be humble, kind and grateful. To do our best despite any disadvantages we may perceive or possess.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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