We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. – George Bernard Shaw
The Olympics have been a great reminder that it is fun to play.
We were designed to enjoy play and to have fun.
What could you do today to have fun?
What is something you could introduce into your life to get more playtime in?
Make it a great day.
Jake
This classic always puts a smile on my face.
Find an old classic that puts a smile on your face and play it. Loud.
Make it a great day.
Jake
The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism. – Norman Vincent Peale
Maturity Moment for Jake – this one hit a little too close to home.
Praise is a good thing and we could all use more of it.
Criticism is a good thing and we could all use more of it.
Not sure about you, but I know which one I prefer.
This quote was a good reminder though….I could be praising myself right over a cliff.
Wisdom must be applied when dealing with power and both criticism and praise are powerful motivators.
Are you seeking out feedback? Not just the feedback you want to hear? Not only from the people that will say good things?
Make it a great day.
Jake
Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
So much of our experience is born out of our perspective and attitudes.
Two people can look at the same sunset but have a different experience.
Resetting our perspectives to create more joy and happiness is a lifelong pursuit.
Where might a resetting of perspective serve you well?
Do you struggle with contentment and need to change that perspective?
Do you struggle with selfishness and need to change that perspective?
Do you struggle with….?
We can change our perspective by experiencing new things and being thoughtful about the world around us.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Something to get you started….switch from thinking of things happening to you and start thinking of things happening for you.
Maggie turns 15 today!
She really is an exceptional young lady.
As a parent I want to slow time down and speed it up at the same time.
I want to keep her here at home and with us forever and can’t wait to see her go out on her own and become the best version of Maggie she can be.
What to do?
How to balance it all?
How to not screw it all up?
Expecting an answer….I wish I had one.
The plan right now is to do our best. To love her (and others). To put God first. To live in the moment.
As you can see, I haven’t really thought this through. I’ll use this email to ask for help.
Does anybody have any good tips for raising teenagers?
Any ideas on how to make her feel loved?
Make it a great day.
Jake
Maggie’s birthday is tomorrow…as a warm up I thought I would send this email I sent out 2 years ago when she turned 13.
We officially have a teenager in the house – Maggie turned 13 on Saturday.
We had a lot to celebrate, Maggie is a great kid.
It was another reminder of how precious our time together really is.
It feels like we’re at the top of a roller coaster about to head down the speedy, winding path of what is hopefully as awesome ride that (hopefully) “ends” with Maggie out on her own in the world being the best version of herself possible.
Even though it will go quickly, I was reminded to enjoy the moments.
Even the hard ones.
We are all given precious few years on Earth to do and become our best.
It’s easy to get worried about the future or brood over the past, but we must do our best to be in and find joy in the moments have now, right now.
Enjoy today. Enjoy these precious moments. They won’t last forever.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Popular.
So much time is wasted chasing popularity.
It’s so easy to fall into the trap of trying to out-Jones the Joneses.
Over the years I’ve read the statistics….
The Joneses are overweight.
The Joneses are in debt.
The Joneses are stressed.
The Joneses aren’t doing so hot….you don’t want to try to be average or slightly better than average or just like everyone else.
Your Creator had a special plan when He created you. It wasn’t to be slightly better than your neighbor at superficial and artificial happenings. It was for a special and unique brand of service and love that only you were made for.
Lean into the best version of you. The version that works with your Creator to let go of yourself and do the most good for everyone else you can.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Thought we could all use a little serenity to finish off the week.
Make it a great day.
Jake
The Serenity Prayer
The full text of the original "Serenity Prayer" written by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)
GOD, grant me the serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change,
Courage to change the
things I can, and the
wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardship as the
pathway to peace.
Taking, as He did, this
sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it.
Trusting that He will make
all things right if I
surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy
in this life, and supremely
happy with Him forever in
the next.
Amen
One of the most powerful prayers in the midst of suffering I have read was uncovered from the horrors of Ravensbruck concentration camp. Ravensbruck was a concentration camp built in 1939 for women. Over 90,000 women and children perished in Ravensbruck, murdered by the Nazis. Corrie Ten Boom, who wrote The Hiding Place, was imprisoned there too. The prayer, found in the clothing of a dead child, says:
O Lord, remember not only the men and woman of good will, but also those of ill will. But do not remember all of the suffering they have inflicted upon us: Instead remember the fruits we have borne because of this suffering, our fellowship, our loyalty to one another, our humility, our courage, our generosity, the greatness of heart that has grown from this trouble. When our persecutors come to be judged by you, let all of these fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness.
– Jake can’t remember where he found this.
The Bible says that the meek shall inherit the Earth. That sure sounds like the right thing to do after reading something like this.
Wouldn’t you like people like this in charge?
Wouldn’t you like to have coworkers like this?
Wouldn’t you want to be married to someone like this?
Wouldn’t you like to have customers like this?
Of course, the secret is the other side of this coin. Don’t you want to be someone like this?
Life is full of difficulties and suffering (very few that compare to the Nazi concentration camps). Each one is an opportunity to be thankful for the fruit that grows out of the challenge and discomfort.
Jim Rohn says “Don’t wish it was easier, wish you were better.” Our opportunity for a better life lies in our ability to become better.
Make it a great day.
Jake
He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
What could you do to add more peace in your home?
Less stuff?
More prayer?
Kinder words?
More patience?
Less TV?
Think about whatever idea stood out while reading this and take a small step (or a big one if you are feeling it) in the right direction today.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Practical Steps for Friendship, Unity and Intimacy in Your Marriage
The Daily Attitude Email 