JD – If people say they just love the smell of books, I always want to pull them aside and ask, To be clear, do you know how reading works? – Bridger Winegar

EB* – I’m writing my book in fifth person, so 
every sentence starts out with: “I heard from this guy who told somebody …” – Demetri Martin

MS* – A Canadian psychologist is 
selling a video that teaches you how to test your dog’s IQ. Here’s how it works: If you spend $12.99 for the video, your dog is smarter than you. – Jay Leno

JW* – Nature abhors a vacuum, but not as much as a cat does. – Anonymous

Laughter is the best medicine.

Maybe none of these quotes did it for you, but find a way to laugh today.

Watch a funny YouTuber.

Watch your favorite funny movie.

Spend time with a friend who makes you laugh.

Lay out some banana peels and watch some slip and fall.

Ok, maybe don’t try the last one.

Make it a great day.

Jake

"For men, fatherhood exposes us to our own weaknesses and our need to improve. Fatherhood requires sacrifice, but it is a source of incomparable satisfaction, even joy. Again, the ultimate model is our Heavenly Father, who so loved us, His spirit children, that He gave His Only Begotten Son for our salvation and exaltation. Jesus said, ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ Fathers manifest that love as they lay down their lives day by day, laboring in the service and support of their families."

– D. Todd Christofferson

Meaghan found and sent me this quote.

Some very wise words about fatherhood.

Not to minimize fatherhood, but most of the important relationships in our lives have some of the same characteristics.

Being married exposes us to our own weaknesses and our need to improve.

Being of good service at work requites sacrifice.

Being a good friend is a source of joy.

Many opportunities are available for laying down our lives for others. Giving up our self interest in the hopes of serving another.

Our happiness and success depend heavily on our ability to let go of our own ego.

Thank you to all of you who have done so for me.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Business, business, business…..numbers, numbers, numbers.

That is one of Maggie’s favorite movie lines (I think it is from the Lego movie and is probably misquoted).

In business, we tend to try to boil things down to numbers. We try to get to the numbers that really matter and we work hard to move them in the right direction.

Some view this as the evil of business, but I actually think (within reason) that it is a good thing.

It reminds me of sports.

Part of the reason sports are interesting and good for us is that there is a scoreboard. There is a real possibility of winning and losing.

When we face the real possibility of winning or losing we are able to push ourselves past what we thought was possible. We are able to do something that we didn’t think we could. Or we can’t. Either way, we learn and grow and move on to do better next time.

Business can be the same way. We face the real prospect of winning or losing. We face our fears and stand up to our challenges. And we either meet the test or don’t. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. But we can certainly learn and grow from it.

And what about you? You the person. What are your numbers? What number is most important to you right now? What could you boil down to a number?

Do you need to get a FitBit and count your steps?

Do you need to quit a bad habit and have a goal of zero?

Do you need to set a financial goal?

Do you need to set a time spent with my kids goal?

Be creative and set yourself a goal. A numerical, set in stone kind of goal.

And play your best, win or lose.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/uJgtecD6-Uc

Who better to talk to everyone about Father’s Day than Kid President?

Make it a great day.

Jake

JD – Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. ― Lao Tzu

MS – Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: Quicken me in thy righteousness. – Psalm 119:40

JW* – A man should always consider how much he has more than he wants. – Joseph Addison

EB* – The praise that comes from love does not make us vain, but more humble. – James M. Barrie

I really like the quote above about praise.

It is always humbling to receive honest praise from someone who really loves you.

It’s almost embarrassing.

Each time that happens to me, I am reminded that giving out praise should be a regular part of my day.

I should be looking for opportunities to lift up and recognize people and not let an opportunity go by.

Be on the lookout today. Find someone doing something praiseworthy and then let them know it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/IHknoSQZibU

For some reason this song comes to mind frequently during the summer vacation time of the year.

I imagine all of you singing along as you hop in the car and head out on vacation.

Maybe that picture is slightly inaccurate, but hopefully the sentiment is there.

Hopefully everyone has the opportunity to get away a little this summer.

To take a break from the norm and do something fun.

Make it a great day.

Jake

There are no passengers on spaceship earth. We are all crew. – Marshall McLuhan

We all have a job to do and a part to play.

Each day we have an opportunity to add value and make a difference for those around us.

And we were created for a special purpose.

We get a chance to live out that special purpose every day.

Be aware today. Be aware of the special talents and gifts you were given. Be aware of where they are needed.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. Francis of Assisi

Get started.

Whatever your goal.

Whatever is nagging at you.

Whatever your reason for wanting something different.

Just get started. Do what’s necessary to get the train headed down the tracks.

Make it a great day.

Jake

We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. It is a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person. – W. Somerset Maugham

Today is a great reminder that I must be the luckiest man alive. Today is our anniversary (14 years!).

It must be a miracle that my wife continues to love a changed person, year after year.

Marriage has been such a great teacher and example in my life.

Maybe it is that we were lucky enough to marry the right person.

Or maybe it is that we have put in the work.

But the lesson keeps ringing through – love is about learning to put someone else before yourself.

And this lesson has applied and helped everywhere in my life.

Meaghan sure is a lot easier to love and put first than others, but the truth is there. In order to create a meaningful relationship, you have to put the other person first.

And when things aren’t going as you would like, check there first. Are you putting the other person first?

Make it a great day.

Jake

Pray with your feet.

I read this in a book yesterday and liked the idea.

It is important that we all learn to work through our worries, concerns, dreams and goals in some form of prayer.

But it is also important that we take action.

We can’t just pray, we need to be moving forward as well.

Take action today. Move forward on one of your prayers.

Make it a great day.

Jake