“You can’t talk your way out of problems you behave yourself into.” – Stephen Covey
There is no substitute for action.
We can’t positive think ourselves into success, it requires action.
We can’t talk our way into a better relationship, it requires action.
We can’t read ourselves into solved problems, it requires action.
Be honest with yourself, are you waiting on something when you should be acting on something?
Do you need to put aside the excuses and get to work?
Make it a great day.
Jake
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men. – Herman Melville
We were not meant to seek only our own self-interest, but we are tempted to try it. Or at least to see how much we can get away with.
Each day is an opportunity to give up our selfishness and self-centeredness in exchange for putting others first – for realizing and playing our part in the thousand fibers that connect us with our fellow men.
What we do with that opportunity determines in part how well things go for those thousand fibers.
Our hearts break at school shootings, racial unrest, social injustice, fatherless children, and the many other social ills facing our modern world.
I’m convinced the answer lies in the relationships each of us form with those in our lives. When we die to our selfishness, we beat back the evils of this world – a little bit at a time.
One person isn’t enough, but that’s where it starts. With you. And me. Every. Day.
It doesn’t get better if we don’t.
It can and will get better if we do.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Some genius at the USGA decided a long time ago that the US Open golf tournament would end on Father’s Day each year.
This means that almost every year there is a scene on the final green where the winner is embraced by his father, usually accompanied by tears.
It’s a great moment to watch and a great reminder of all the great fathers out there.
The bond between father and son is such that even amongst the turmoil and celebration that is winning a major championship – the winner chooses to embrace his father.
I imagine the winner thinking about all the practices, tournaments, etc. and how they wouldn’t be where they are without the loving influence of their father.
I didn’t win a major championship yesterday, but I was thinking about the same things.
The world sure has it’s problems and imperfections. But it also has a whole lot of good fathers, doing the right thing, putting their family first, and being selfless (most of the time).
Make it a great day.
Jake
A classic summer time anthem.
This one reminds me of the fact that we are the same but different.
We all love summertime. But we all don’t love country music.
I am not a country music fan, but my wife is. She loves this song. Me, not so much.
And yet, despite (or maybe because of) these differences we are perfect for each other.
In life we will constantly be meeting people that are different than us. We can choose to embrace it and find the best in each other or we can judge and condemn.
Make it a great day.
Jake
“The first step to getting what you want is to have the courage to get rid of what you don’t.” —Zig Ziglar
Part of moving forward towards our goals involves moving away from something else.
We must choose.
We can’t sit on the fence.
It involves risk and takes real courage.
So many live life trying to hold on to all the possibilities, playing it safe.
Spend a few minutes today dreaming about what you want. What you really want.
What you want so badly and clearly that you are willing to give something else up for it.
And then get after it. Get started. Today.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Choose your love, Love your choice. – Thomas S. Monson
A marriage podcast I listened to once said that marriage is a continual grinding off of the rough edges of our personalities and idiosyncrasies.
Two imperfect people interacting with each other each day in close proximity leads can sometimes (all the time?) lead to conflict.
At some point we choose to love our choice.
It’s not easy.
It’s not for everybody.
It’s a choice I’m happy with for me.
What choices in your life are worth sticking with and loving in spite of some hard work and difficulty?
What might you do differently today knowing that you are committed to loving that choice?
Make it a great day.
Jake
“You know you are in love when you don’t want to fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” – Dr. Seuss
Today marks Meaghan and I’s 20th wedding anniversary.
I am so very thankful for her presence in my life for the last 20(+) years. It’s hard to imagine the person I would be without her wisdom, patience, kindness, faithfulness, and grace.
We’re also fortunate to have had many great examples to follow and model our marriage after – from our parents and grandparents to friends and family.
We’re also lucky to have so many friends and others rooting us on and wishing us well.
Like a lot of things in life – marriage isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it.
Make it a great day.
Jake
“Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone, and as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
— Marianne Williamson
What a great reminder – you were meant to shine.
Not in a way that puts others down or takes away from them – they were meant to shine as well.
The first sentence sets the stage perfectly – we were made to serve the world (God).
For some reason, it’s easy to miss this idea and buy into bad thinking.
Either the thinking that you are worthless and aren’t made to shine or that you are in competition with others and to outshine them you must diminish their efforts or somehow exalt yours.
We let fear and selfishness dominate our thoughts and diminish our impact.
When we let go of our fears and lean into our God-given gifts and talents for service we inspire others to do the same.
Make it a great day.
Jake
I choose joy.
What a simple and powerful idea – choosing joy.
Life sure is full of reasons not to choose joy. Each day has plenty of opportunities to go a different path.
I feel like God put this word on my heart this year as this was something I needed to work on.
So much of the day to day can feel like a blur – busy from the morning until bed time every day. I felt like I needed to work on choosing joy in all circumstances – whether the happenings of life were going my way or not.
I’m not sure that I’m doing that well so far, but I’m working on it.
If you see me without obvious joy on my face and in my heart – say something. Challenge me.
Make it a great day.
Jake
“I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; I have also learned from experience that the greater the part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances” – Martha Washington
Dispositions and circumstances. This seems to be a recurring theme throughout all of the “positive propaganda” I have read.
Our disposition and attitude determine our happiness, not our circumstances.
I think it is a recurring theme because it is something most of us struggle with. We struggle with the balance between facing the reality of our situation and whining and complaining about it.
And that is why I think we all need reminders. We have the opportunity every day to put on a positive disposition no matter the circumstances.
Let’s take advantage of that opportunity today.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Practical Steps for Friendship, Unity and Intimacy in Your Marriage
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