“In my experience there is no such thing as luck.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi

Tomorrow is May the 4th. Apparently it is a thing now to celebrate the Star Wars series on this day/week every year (May the 4th/force be with you).

Coincidentally, we’ve been watching the series with the girls at home.

Like most good movies or TV, the creators use a dramatic and creative back drop to tell the stories and share in common human experiences.

Love, joy, hate, fear, friendship and others are on display throughout the movies.

We enjoy watching these unfold because we want to feel that connection with others and with the characters.

TV and movies can be a great way to connect with others around some of these common themes.

Make some time to connect with the loved ones in your life around some positively themed movies and TV. Talk about the lessons and the commonalities you might be experiencing. Bridge the gap between the two (or more) of you. And then build on that connection.

Make it a great day.

Jake

The present time has one advantage over every other – it is our own. – Charles Caleb Colton

Today is all you got.

Get after it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

People change and forget to tell each other. Lillian Hellman

This falls more into the “helpful reminder” category today.

Once I read that all of the cells in your body change over a certain period of time. You are literally entirely new on a regular basis.

But we forget to communicate through these changes with those closest to us.

We’re surprised when they react as if they didn’t know we had changed our position or attitude towards something.

And we forget that they are entirely new as well and that their position or attitude has changed as well.

I haven’t found a magical tip or trick on this one, just a mountain to continue to climb – because meaningful relationships are worth it.

Slow down for a few minutes today and let someone you care about tell you how they’ve changed.

Make it a great day.

Jake

You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club. – Jack London

Jim Rohn talks about discipline being the ultimate virtue, as it unlocks so many other opportunities.

This quote is a reminder that we can’t wait around for life to come and inspire and motivate us. We can’t wait for the brilliant idea or perfect opportunity.

I think Jim Rohn was talking about this very idea when he described discipline as the most important virtue.

Only when we have the discipline to continually pursue growth and change do we get the inspiration we desired at the beginning.

We fall into the trap of thinking that when the inspiration comes along we will have the motivation to develop the discipline.

It’s just not true.

The time to start developing discipline is today.

Begin with something small.

Drink water instead of something sugary.

Skip the drive through for coffee and save the money and brew your own.

Pick up the dirty clothes on the floor instead of waiting for your spouse to do it.

Make the bed.

Come into Jake’s office and do a few push ups.

Get started.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/RXe8PFKsOIc

Last week’s Dave Matthews Band song got a few responses – including a request for this song.

All you need is love, every day.

Consider this your reminder to love today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely. – Roald Dahl

A large part of improving our attitude and inner view of the world is so that we can make a larger impact on the world around us.

We long for significance and meaning.

We desire to be impactful.

This quote reminds me of the power of our attitude in the world around us.

You can shine for all and make their day lovely, if you choose good thoughts.

You can brighten and lighten the lives of those in your sphere of influence by simply thinking more positively.

I really think we underestimate this one. How much a smile or positive look or countenance can make a difference in the world.

Think positive. Smile.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy. Leo Buscaglia

This is a quote that falls into the “reminder” category.

Most of us are well aware of the folly of worrying.

But we still do it….

So, reminder for today.

Don’t worry, you are only wasting the only time you really have – today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

“What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.” – CS Lewis – “The Magician’s Nephew”

I like this mental picture.

Our view on life depends on where we stand and what kind of person we are.

I imagine a three dimensional model where you can move the little person around and easily see how the change in location changes perspective.

It’s not that big of a step from there to imagine that two different people could see the same exact situation and come away with a different perspective.

We are all facing life from the one and only perspective we have – our own.

Understanding that about yourself and those around you is a great step towards maturity.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are travelling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind. Henri-Frederic Amiel

Great reminder to start off the week.

Life is short.

Be swift to love.

Make haste to be kind.

Make time to gladden the hearts of those travelling along your life’s journey.

Sounds like a pretty good plan for the day to me.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/GhswH1bLMy8

Dave Matthews Band is another of Meaghan’s favorites.

Turn it up and make it a great day.

Jake