Teach self-denial and make its practice pleasure, and you can create for the world a destiny more sublime that ever issued from the brain of the wildest dreamer. – Sir Walter Scott

Make its practice pleasure.

To me, this is why attitude is important.

Our attitude or philosophy about something often determines our enthusiasm level.

I often think of ice cream vs exercise (I do this because I’m not a huge ice cream fan so it is easier on me).

Our attitude towards the two can make a big difference.

If we can choose to embrace exercise as a pleasure and relegate ice cream to something less, we’d probably make some better health choices.

To paint the picture of how that might go, think about a few scenarios….

Had a rough day…..a little exercise will perk me right up.

Had a great day….let’s top this off with a run.

Out of energy….man, I need to get my blood pumping – better get moving.

Time to celebrate…..let’s get out and go for a run together.

To be sure, if you said these things out loud most people would think you are a little strange. You wouldn’t be normal.

But that is the rub, do you really want to be normal?

If this analogy (ice cream vs exercise) isn’t useful for you, try to think of another one. Shopping vs reading. Watching TV vs praying. Stressing vs planning. I’m sure there are tons of good examples where an attitude or perspective change might do you some good.

Talk about it with someone. Write it down somewhere where you can see it. Practice some self talk to reprogram your mind.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Every charitable act is a stepping stone toward heaven. – Henry Ward Beecher

My understanding is that the charity of old is more like love than of giving to those in need.

This quote then tells of the truth that acts of love bring us closer to heaven.

I imagine heaven as a place of nothing but love.

Of kind and loving acts performed all day, every day.

The more of these actions we perform, the closer we get to the unimaginable joy of heaven.

Take a few steps closer to heaven today by acting out of love for those around you.

Ask yourself “what would be the loving response?”

And then do it. Every time.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts. – John Wooden

Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. – C. S. Lewis

This quote from John Wooden reminded me of one of my favorite CS Lewis quotes.

Courage counts because it’s what gets you through when things get hard.

And only by pushing through when things get hard do we grow.

Courage counts when your honesty is tested.

Courage counts when you can be patient or give in.

Courage counts when you have to pick an apple over that donut.

Courage counts when you tell someone no in order to honor your previous yes.

In these small moments, a courageous person is built.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light. – Albus Dumbledore

Maggie has been reading a few of the Harry Potter books lately and so we watched some of the first movie over the weekend.

The books and movies do such a great job of taking you into a different world.

But they also do a great job of weaving in universal truths like the one from the quote above.

We can take inspiration and encouragement from the Harry Potter series.

If you aren’t already, I would encourage you to pick up a fiction book or book series.

Learn lessons and hone your personal philosophy by comparing it to the imagined world you are reading about.

Weigh their choices as if they were your own.

Face their fears as if they were yours.

Be inspired by their success.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/y3sdByw9uUc

The kids sang this song at church last Sunday at church and it has been in my head all week.

Today is Good Friday, Sunday is Easter Sunday.

Easter is a great reminder of what Christianity is all about.

The simple idea that Jesus suffered and died for us because of his everlasting love for each and every one of us.

Happy Easter.

Make it a great day.

Jake

A version of the same song with a little more pep (fast forward to about 1:30 to get right to the singing):

https://youtu.be/z0CsJ6GO05s

Last night was our Ash Wednesday service at church. Ash Wednesday begins the 40 days of Lent, a period of preparation for Easter.

I was reminded of this bible verse: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

In the past, I struggled a little with verses like this and church services meant to remind us of when we fall short.

But I’ve come to think maybe there is another side of it.

By realizing we ALL are not perfect, we can be in better relationship with those around us. We can serve and love our neighbors much better when we realize they are imperfect as well.

By realizing that I am not perfect I can begin the process of improving. By shining the light on my imperfections, I can move closer to a better me.

I wonder if the key is not shining the light on it for too long.

Shine the light on the area needing improvement long enough to see it, then move the light towards the future, better you. Focus on the goal and the improvement not the shortcoming.

Acknowledge the need for improvement but don’t dwell on it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

After Easter, there is another classic Christian story that is told almost every year – the story of Doubting Thomas.

The story goes that after Jesus rose from the dead one of the disciples (Thomas) said he wouldn’t believe that Jesus had risen until he saw the wound marks from the crucifixion. Jesus shows these marks and Thomas believes.

It is hard to believe without seeing.

Whether it be in a risen savior or in yourself.

Belief is such an important part of the process of goal achievement and personal development.

Fortunately, we can all “see” the results we want to achieve in our minds and in the results others have achieved.

We are fortunate to live in a time with so much written down and documented about the success (and failures) of others.

As you look at your life and any potential changes you want to make, believe in the change by seeing it first.

Picture it in your mind and find proof of someone else that has done it.

Once that belief is built, you are on your way.

Make it a great day.

Jake

“The great gift of Easter is hope: Christian hope which makes us have that confidence in God, in his ultimate triumph, and in his goodness and love, which nothing can shake.” — English Benedictine monk Basil Hume

One of the great things about Easter is church on Easter Sunday.

It reminds me of getting to go watch the end of a really good movie you have seen a ton of times.

Up until this point, it has played out the dramatic part of the story. The good guy has been betrayed, beaten, tortured and then finally killed.

But just as things look their darkest, the hero raises from the dead and everyone’s sins are forgiven.

The good guy wins. That’s my favorite part about Easter. Every year the good guy wins.

And that’s the part that helps to have a positive perspective on life.

The good guy wins.

Maybe not right away.

Maybe even not until the end.

But the good guy wins.

Every time.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Since I’m out of town/on spring break and it is Easter week, I thought I would send out a few emails from Easter’s past.

God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. – Saint Augustine

Easter was yesterday. Easter is the “big day” of the Christian faith. The day when Christians are reminded of the core focal point of their faith.

The Saint Augustine quote above reminded me of this core focal point. That God loved each of us enough to send his son to die on the cross.

Whether you are a Christian or not, there is also a life lesson in there. And this quote spells it out.

Love and serve others as if they were the only one.

Search today for an opportunity to serve someone else as if they were the only one.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/kbE2YOYk5rc

This one is a bit of a slow tapper, but the message is good.

Never give up.

Never give in.

Never let a ray of doubt slip in.

You are worth it. If you are stuck on something, don’t give in.

Make it a great day.

Jake