Yesterday would have been my aunt’s birthday, it reminded me of this daily attitude email I sent a few years ago…

My aunt Marlyn passed away over the weekend and it has me thinking about her.

When I was in college about once a month she sent me a card with a $20 bill in it.

It was always the highlight of the day if one of those cards showed up in the mail.

I’m ashamed to admit that I blew all that money and don’t have much to show for it, but the memory has always stuck with me.

She took the time to find a card, put in some money and mail it off to me.

I don’t know if she did this for a hundred people or just me, I just know it made a difference to me.

It always made me feel special and like someone was rooting for me.

And the lesson I learned is to always look out for those little opportunities to show someone they are loved and that you are rooting for them.

Think of somebody in your life that could use a little pick me up….then send them a card with a $20 bill in it (or whatever works).

Be generous.

Be thoughtful.

Do something small, a couple of times, just to get started.

It will make a difference.

They’ll be talking about it when you’re long gone.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Out of difficulties grow miracles. – Jean de la Bruyere

Think about the inspiring stories you have heard – almost all involve some kind of difficulty that was overcome.

We are inspired by others and their ability to overcome adversity and then we shy away from or avoid difficulties in our lives.

We run away from them when we could be embracing them.

Our difficulties become part of our story.

Our story can then be used to inspire ourselves and others if we are able to push through and come out the other side.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Discipline weighs ounces, regret weighs tons.

I’ve head people talk about this with their health or their family relationships.

They spend years making poor choices and then something big happens.

They then spend all the resources they have to try to correct the situation. Sometimes it works, sometimes it’s too late.

Be disciplined in the small stuff today.

Decide what kind of person you are and stick with it. You are worth it. And if you don’t, you’ll regret it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Do you know how to tell if someone needs encouragement?

If they are breathing.

Everyone needs encouragement and it costs you nothing to give it to them.

What a great quote and interaction and reminder.

Be encouraging this week. Start at home with your family. Then move on to your coworkers. Then to the customers. Then to others you meet as you go about your day and week.

Remember….if they are breathing….they need it!

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/xVOJla2vYx8?si=vKD9Hx3EubpR6uR2

Finally turned to fall around Central Illinois this week.

The change of the season is a consistent reminder of a constant of life – things will change.

Change can be something to fight against or to work with.

We can embrace the changes and work to make the best of each turn.

Or we can spend our energies wishing it was different.

Make it a great day.

Jake

God has not been trying an experiment on my faith or love in order to find out their quality. He knew it already. It was I who didnt. In this trial He makes us occupy the dock, the witness box, and the bench all at once. He always knew that my temple was a house of cards. His only way of making me realize the fact was to knock it down.

C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed

What a powerful thought.

Regardless of where you stand on believing in God and whether or not God places trials in our lives to test us, life will test you at some point.

The older I get the more I wonder how many of my "temples" are really houses of cards.

We see others whose metaphorical card houses have been toppled and quickly jump to conclusions about what they may have done wrong, not noticing we are balancing precariously in a house of cards ourselves.

But wheres the positive spin, Jake?

First, showing empathy for the weaknesses and follies of others can help us from meeting that same fate.

Second, seeing our house of cards for what it is before it falls can save us a whole lot of heartache.

Take a look at what you are building your beliefs and habits from to make sure they are built on solid footing.

Make it a great day.

Jake

The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more. – Jonas Salk

I like this perspective!

Too often we fall into the trap of wanting to do the least amount of work.

Work is an opportunity. An opportunity to be of service and to be helpful.

We get to work.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Just listened to a podcast talking about this quote from a daily attitude email from a few years ago.

Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.
C.S. Lewis
This year so far feels like we are going through some growing pains at the businesses. Processes arent perfect and growth causes those imperfections to manifest themselves in mistakes or missed expectations.
This quote reminds me of our growth as individuals.
At first changing seems like a good idea. Even as something we would welcome.
Then it takes on a life of its own.
Some of our cherished stories about ourselves and the world need to come down. We have to become uncomfortable.
In the case of a Christian life this takes on the perspective of eternity. We are building our forever selves. A version of ourselves that is meant to commune with God in eternal happiness.
Make it a great day.
Jake

The gain is not the having of children; it is the discovery of love and how to be loving. – Polly Berrien Berends

What a great phrase to describe the loving relationships in our lives.

The gain is in the discovery of love and how to be loving.

How to put someone else first and to think of their needs before our own.

How to love them despite their flaws and issues.

How to wish for the best for them when they make both good and bad decisions.

I’m convinced we are treat everyone like this. Literally everyone.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/IPXIgEAGe4U?si=GmeYYbVvH0xiMe1v

Gotta have high hopes!

It’s easy to play it small and safe.

To not take any chances on trying something big.

Don’t believe it.

Have high hopes in something bigger.

Make it a great day.

Jake