All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action. – James Russell Lowell

A single lovely action.

What a great way to think about all of our little interactions throughout the day.

What if we could turn all of the little moments throughout our day into an opportunity to be loving and kind.

Ok…all might be a stretch.

Think about one you might change for the better.

The first interaction of the day with your spouse or kids.

The last interaction with a co-worker before you leave.

The good night routine with the kids or your spouse.

Pick one and change it up a little. Make it a single lovely action.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better. – Albert Camus

For those of us lucky enough to live here in America – we get to experience quite a bit of personal freedom.

And we get to see what others do with their freedom.

For some, it’s an opportunity to do the least amount possible, lie, cheat, steal and indulge selfishness and self-gratification in every way possible.

For some, it’s an opportunity to be kind, charitable, patient, compassionate, generous, and selfless in every way possible.

Freedom is the ability to choose our direction and attitude.

To take the chance to do and be better.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Resending this email from a while back as a reminder to myself….

“Busy is the new stupid.” – Ed Baldwin

Over the years I have become more and more convinced how “busy” has become a meaningless throw away word.

Something that just gets put in the place where another word should be instead, like good or nice or stuff or like or …..

The interesting thing about this one though is that at some point a lot of us bought into it. We bought into the idea that more busy equals more better.

We fill our time (and our homes and our cars and our….) with more and more busy until we feel like we are “winning” the busy contest.

Only to find out later that we are all the same amount of busy. 24 hours passes at exactly the same rate for us as it does Bono (or someone else who you think is really important).

Today I give you permission (ignore the fact that I have no actual power over you) to let go of busy. Let go of trying to cram it all in. Decide on what is important and do that. Make a top 5 list for the day (or a top 1 list to start).

And then do it again tomorrow.

Do it enough days in a row to build a habit.

Make it a way of life.

On second thought, maybe there is a way to win the “busy” game. Stop playing it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/9MO1KyNUOIs?si=QegRjWwVb6VmbbKu

Every time I visit Las Vegas I am amazed.

Somehow they have managed to create this unique place.

It isn’t really my style and there are certainly some parts of it that aren’t my favorite.

It’s a testament to what can be created when a bunch of people work together.

Meaningful progress and accomplishment requires a team.

When I’m away like this it makes me realize how thankful I am to be a part of such a great team.

We may not be creating the next Las Vegas but we are doing meaningful work and building something that matters.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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If you would be loved, love, and be loveable. – Benjamin Franklin

This reminds me of another quote that goes something like “a baby is born with a need to be loved and never outgrows it.”

We were all bit with a desire to be loved.

The path to fulfilling this desire flows through our ability to love and be lovable.

We can’t force another to love us. To fill that part of us that wants to be loved.

But we can be loving. We can think loving thoughts. We can take loving actions. We can become more lovable. All of these are within our control.

If you’re looking for some ideas, these verses from the Bible are a good start:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

If we could go to work on becoming more like this, I’m guessing we’d end up feeling more loved.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – Your Father in heaven loves you so very much. He sent His only son to die for you so that he could be with you forever. I’d recommend taking Him up on this offer.

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Resending this daily attitude email from a few years ago as a reminder to myself – it’s not about me!

The Ancient One : It’s precisely what’s kept you from greatness. Arrogance and fear still keep you from learning the simplest and most significant lesson of all.

Dr. Stephen Strange : Which is?

The Ancient One : It’s not about you!

I caught this line when watching Dr. Strange with Maggie the other night.

What a tough life lesson to learn – it’s not about you.

The sooner we learn this and make our peace with it, the better off we’ll be.

Life is not about us or our comfort.

Life is about service to others with love.

Not to get something in return but to become something in the process.

Our pride and our fear hold us back. We want to be in control and to make sure it turns out great – for us. When we let go and begin to pour ourselves out – every day – we begin to experience true joy and peace.

Where are you holding back giving and service to protect yourself?

Where are you letting fear and pride hold you back?

Find some small ways today to decrease pride and fear and add more service and love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – This was probably much easier to write than it will be to read. It’s a real struggle for all of us. But it’s worth it.

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Flew into Las Vegas last night and couldn’t help but be amazed by all the lights.

I’m always amazed when I fly into a bigger city at night.

I think about how much coordinated effort it takes to make that many lights light up the night sky. Every night.

We may not be powering a big city at Maxlider and Mavidea, but we’re doing some awesome stuff – as a team.

No one individual makes it happen.

It only happens when we work together.

Our work matters. It’s a light in the night sky for our customers, teammates and vendors.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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There’s a difference between a philosophy and a bumper sticker. – Charles M. Schulz

Jim Rohn calls our personal philosophy the set of the sail.

The winds of life blow in different directions but we set the sail that steers the ship.

Choice lies in the setting of the sail, not the way the wind blows.

How do you react to the winds in your life?

How do you set your sail when things go your way?

What adjustments do you make when it doesn’t go as expected?

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/fNFzfwLM72c?si=sZQ9hpey0-dM9uEq

Thought for Q4 – finish strong.

One step in front of the other until the end of the year.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it.”

― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Maggie’s been watching this movie the last couple of days before bed.

This line at the end always gets me.

Our words are magic.

Capable of inflicting injury.

Capable of remedying it.

Both for others in our lives and ourselves.

How we talk about ourselves matters.

How we talk to others matters.

It’s magical.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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