In honor of Veteran’s Day, I thought I would send out this email I had sent out on a previous Veteran’s Day.

https://youtu.be/NiVkkE9AaCs

Watched Guardians of the Galaxy on the plane the other day and this song made me smile.

Hopefully it does the same thing.

If it doesn’t, find something that does and play it (loud).

Make it a great day.

Jake

Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better. – Albert Camus

In “Man’s Search for Meaning” Viktor Frankl has the idea that the Statue of Liberty (representing freedom) should have a twin on the West Coast – a statue of responsibility.

Freedom is not only a chance to be better, it is an offering to accept the responsibility inherent in making the most of our freedom.

Saturday is Veteran’s Day. A day to remember who paid for our freedoms.

I’ve read quite a few books from members of our military over the last few years.

Each time I am inspired to make the most of the freedom they have bought for me.

Even the most heroic and well-meaning soldiers from the stories seem to struggle with coming back and realizing that so many have chosen to squander their great gifts.

Our biggest tribute to the armed forces is a life well lived.

A life spent enjoying the responsibilities of the freedom so dearly bought for us.

Make the most of your chance to be better.

Embrace the responsibility of making the most of your freedom.

Make it a great day.

Jake

All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action. – James Russell Lowell

One of my favorite ideas from Andy Stanley (although I’m sure he isn’t the only one to say it) is that love is a verb.

Love requires action.

Sentiments and nice words won’t do it.

We are all born with a desire to love and be loved, but we don’t get either without taking action.

In the Bible it commands us to “love our neighbors”.

Sounds nice, right?

What if instead it said “consistently act in a loving way towards your neighbor”?

Andy Stanley says that “love is a verb”, it requires doing; and then prompts us to ask the question “what does love require of me?”

What loving action could I take today?

Towards my spouse.

Towards my neighbor.

Towards my coworker.

Towards the strangers at Wal-Mart (or Target or wherever you shop…).

Find a way to take action today. Act out of love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Made it back home.

It’s always so good to be back home and in your own bed after traveling.

Similar to the “taking risks, making mistakes” lessons from traveling, I think coming home is symbolic too.

The best reason to take risks and challenge yourself to grow is because you have solid foundation.

Personal growth requires stretching and reaching out. This is done best from a solid base.

When we know that we have love and belonging at home, we can risk new friendships.

When we know that we have a financial base, we can take a few chances.

When we know our true values, we can expose ourselves to the values of others.

Every time I come home, I am reminded of how thankful I am for home base. For that feeling of love and security that allows me to try to expand my horizons.

Remember to be thankful for your home base.

Make it a great day.

Jake

A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. – George Bernard Shaw

Another lesson learned from travelling – if you go somewhere you have never been before, you are going to make mistakes.

Every. Time.

But it is worth it.

You only get new and interesting experiences by stepping outside of your comfort zone.

Your comfort zone is that place where you know you aren’t going to make many mistakes, at least not any meaningful ones.

Only by embracing the opportunity to make some new mistakes do you get a new perspective.

You are reminded of all the good in your life.

You are reminded that maybe you shouldn’t worry so much.

You are reminded that life is full of adventure, just waiting for you.

Take some chances, make some mistakes, you’ll be glad you did.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5TwT69i1lU&feature=youtu.be

More of a slow tapper, but a good one to get stuck in your head early in the morning.

Every time I travel I am reminded of what a wonderful world it really is.

There are all these other places, existing with their own unique beauty.

Kind of like people.

The world is full of wonderful people and places, if we get out there and look for them.

Make it a great day.

Jake

The dog that trots about finds a bone. – Golda Meir

Action is required if progress is desired.

Struggling with something?

Find a way to get up and move around.

Go look for a book to read.

Go look for a mentor.

Go look for a new customer.

Go walk around the block.

Go make a new friend.

Get moving.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Confession time….Halloween is not my favorite holiday.

If we didn’t have kids or kids coming around trick or treating, I’m sure Halloween would come and go without me hardly noticing.

But having kids puts you into all kinds of situations that change your mind about things.

While it’s still not my favorite, Halloween sure is a lot more fun with the kiddos around.

Meaghan does an awesome job of getting costumes and jack-o-lanterns together with the kids and a fun time is had by all – even dad.

The point here for all of us is that if we are open to new things and relationships, we will be surprised what you’ll find.

I know this is something for me to work on…..lucky God sent me three little kids and a wonderful wife to help.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – Don’t forget to volunteer to send out the daily attitude email while I’m gone….if you are interested in trying something new (or even if you have done it before).

https://www.facebook.com/pinoyradioonline/videos/1769300826436219/

Start your week off with a good laugh. Maybe even turn the volume up a little so someone next to you catches it too.

Videos like this one are a good reminder: life’s too short not to laugh. A lot.

Some things are serious.

But there is plenty of room left for laughing.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – I am out of town Wednesday through next Tuesday. If you are interested in volunteering to send out a daily attitude email (or more than one) let me know.