Your own mind is a sacred enclosure into which nothing harmful can enter except by your permission. – Arnold Bennett

We live in a time and place where we have the opportunity to consume as much entertainment and information as we want.

We can be distracted and entertained from when we wake up until we go to bed.

The sites and services we look to for entertainment are optimized to keep us scrolling and streaming.

But we are the keepers of the gate to our mind.

We get to choose what we let in.

We get to choose what will move us closer to our goals or towards a life we don’t want for ourselves.

We must choose. And choose wisely.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Resending this email from a few years ago (and a day late)….

I’m secretly (not so secretly now that I type this) hoping that Cinco de Mayo becomes the next St. Patrick’s Day here in America.

A day when we can celebrate a different culture with food, drink, and hospitality.

A day when we enjoy the richness of another culture (and tacos), together.

America needs more together. Less apart.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. – Joseph Addison

Monday morning reminder – reading is good for you.

There’s so much to read.

So much room to learn and grow.

Not sure where to start?

Ask somebody who knows you for a suggestion.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – I’m always looking for good book suggestions – anybody have any?

https://youtu.be/1rmPckNvD3E?si=KpDV6_aSGjfCNUNN

Golf season here in Central Illinois!

Whether you’re a golfer or not, hopefully you can get out and enjoy the change in season.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1720028715612907

I often try to remind myself to have grace and patience when working with others.

The kid in this video is inspirational, but I was really struck by the dad.

We all have something we’re struggling with. Wouldn’t you like to have that dad from the video helping you?

Giving you the tips and tricks and encouragement to get over the hump, whether it’s big or small.

We can do this for ourselves and those around us.

We can be full of that much patience and grace.

And we should be – there’s plenty of struggle in the world.

Maybe not so obvious as a physical handicap and a curb that seem insurmountable, but it’s there.

And we can help.

Make it a great day.

Jake

When we are in love we seem to ourselves quite different from what we were before. – Blaise Pascal

Love makes the world a better place by making us better people.

We become and do better through love for ourselves and those who matter most to us.

Our motivations run true when we focus on what love requires of us.

Fill your thoughts of others today with love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Your life becomes meaningful in precise proportion to the depts of the responsibility you are willing to shoulder. – Jordan Peterson

We were built to seek out and find meaning in our lives. Some fall victim to trying to find it where it can’t be found: stuff, money, food, drugs, alcohol, etc.

Real meaning in our lives comes through the hard stuff: responsibility, love, relationship, humility, service, etc.

Where are you looking for meaning in your life?

What are you doing today to move closer to more and deeper meaning?

Make it a great day.

Jake

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. – George Halas

Good Monday morning reminder here.

Give it your best.

You won’t regret it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/YUFs_1vKYlY?si=_X4sgLISirvBcPUK

Living in the moment.

It’s the only moment you have right now.

Make it a great day.

Jake

It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers. – James Thurber

Asking the right questions often helps us get on the right path.

Especially if we can look for the answers in the right places.

Some of my favorites:

What would a wise person do?

What does love require of me?

Has someone else figured this out already?

Who can I ask who knows more about this?

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – What are some of your favorite questions?