https://youtu.be/kZf3Byq8oLA

Stevie Wonder amazes me.

He’s created so many great songs over such a long period of time.

And, oh yeah, he’s blind.

Stories like his are a great reminder that our excuses are really just excuses.

Make it a great day.

Jake

"Without momentum, even the smallest obstacle can prevent you from moving forward. But with it you can plow through anything." – John Maxwell

In the article where John Maxwell talks about momentum, he uses the example of a train. When just getting started, a train can actually be stopped by a one inch block on the track. When moving at full speed, a train will smash through almost anything.

Think about the areas in your life where you are struggling to get started. Maybe you just need to remove the small obstacle to get going.

Focus on a really small, really short term goal.

Once you do that, pick another one.

Keep up this process until you have some momentum. And then you will be unstoppable.

Make it a great day.

Jake

"If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment." – Marcus Aurelius

This is a great way to look at the stresses and worries of our lives.

All too often we give external forces power over our lives.

We let our lives seep away with worry and stress over events and circumstances external to our control.

Our power lies in what we choose to focus on.

Our days turn on what we choose to let dominate our thoughts.

What came to mind when you first read the quote?

What have you given power that you should revoke?

Let go of whatever it is. Let positivity, hope and faith rule your thoughts today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

For Jesus, there are no countries to be conquered, no ideologies to be imposed, no people to be dominated. There are only children, women and men to be loved. – Henri Nouwen

This idea is one I work to ingrain into myself every day.

All of us are children of God.

Each of us longing to be loved.

Our job is to be loving.

We are loved when we are loving.

When we place ourselves into service for others.

My sincere hope is that it really can be that simple.

Make it a great day.

Jake

You may delay, but time will not. – Benjamin Franklin

Good reminder for a Monday morning.

Don’t delay.

Get to work.

Make some progress.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/NfG47NsWVYA

Another classic that always seems to lift my spirits if I hear it somewhere.

Whenever you call me, I’ll be there

Whenever you want me, I’ll be there

Whenever you need me, I’ll be there

I’ll be around

And while I’d like to think about my dedication to my loved ones and my plans for being there for them when needed, I’m more inclined to remember all the times someone has been there for me.

I really have been blessed more than I deserve in this area.

So many have helped and been there for me along the way.

I’m sure that your story contains some of the same.

Reach out and thank someone today for being there for you.

Make it a great day.

Jake

People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy. – Anton Chekhov

February 1st….winter’s not quite over yet.

This quote reminded me to make the most of and be happy with the rest of the winter.

It’s my choice after all….

Make it a great day.

Jake

Promise me you’ll remember, you are BRAVER than you believe, STRONGER than you seem, SMARTER than you think. – A.A. Milne

A.A. Milne is a favorite around our house.

I think it’s because of simple, wholesome quotes like this one.

I sincerely hope you remember today that all of the above are true about you.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Be grateful for what you have and stop complaining – it bores everybody else, does you no good, and doesn’t solve any problems. – Zig Ziglar

Zig really hits the nail on the head here.

One of the great things about being grateful is that while you are saying or thinking a positive thought you can’t simultaneously be thinking or saying a negative. Thus, for every positive thought or word you are cancelling out the possibility for a negative one.

Zig points out three things about complaining:

1. It bores everybody else.

2. It does you no good.

3. It doesn’t solve any problems.

We all have a lot to be thankful for. Let’s choose thoughts of gratitude today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

When we work for a bigger purpose, we find an endless supply of happiness at work. — Jon Gordon

I liked how he said “bigger” in front of purpose in this quote.

It’s easy to get stuck on find one purpose and the biggest reason we are here. There’s a lifetime of work for most of us on that one.

But a bigger purpose is pretty easy.

Instead of working for a paycheck we can be working for the team or serving the clients.

Instead of working out we can be losing some weight or getting more energy.

Instead of making lunches for the kids we can be packing up some love.

Find a way to add some more purpose into the mundane today.

Make it a great day.

Jake