One should never forget to hold on to their inner child as they grow older. – Random Quote on the Internet

Today is my birthday.

One of the best things about having kids is that they help you hold on to your inner child as you get older.

The best thing about my birthdays these last few years has been watching how excited the kids get about giving presents and seeing me open them, about going out for dinner and singing happy birthday.

They are a great reminder about what is really fun about birthdays and special occasions.

If you have a special occasion that you are struggling to enjoy once again, just invite a 5 year old….

Merry Christmas.

Jake

“Welcome every morning with a smile. Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday. Be a self-starter. Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day. Today will never happen again. Don’t waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail.” ~ Og Mandino

Start your day off right.

Let your first hour set the theme for the day.

How do your days usually start?

Try it today to make your first hour a great one.

Read something inspirational.

Exercise.

Hug and kiss your loved ones.

Say a prayer of thanks for all your blessings.

Knock something off your to do list.

Whatever would be a great start to the day for you, do it.

Merry Christmas.

Jake

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Mead

Friday night was the annual Mavidea Christmas party. I was reminded once again that we have something special going on at Mavidea.

I was reminded again how lucky I am to be a part of it.

Friday was also our first Christmas get together for this year and Christmas feels like it is already here now.

Time for spending time with loved ones, giving and receiving presents, and going to our special church services.

For those of you that don’t have small children around, go find some to spend some time with this Christmas. Having small kids around makes it so much easier to enjoy Christmas. They wonder and delight in all the activities.

Merry Christmas.

Jake

Last night we watched “Love Actually” and I was reminded of this toe tapper I sent out last year:

http://youtu.be/t_KI-mRyE_0

While I think this is a fun/funny Christmas song, it mostly reminds me of my favorite lines from that movie.

Here are the words spoken at the beginning:

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion’s starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it’s not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it’s always there – fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge – they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love actually is all around.

The video is here: http://youtu.be/PMScPVO4rLw.

Every time I watch that movie I am reminded of my favorite part of Christmas. Spending time with loved ones.

And when I think of those moments, I agree with the sentiment from the movie. Love is actually all around.

What can you do to look for the good this holiday season?

Merry Christmas.

Jake

A man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm. – Charles Schwab

Enthusiasm is such a difference maker.

It is the difference between a positive response or a negative response to a setback.

It is the difference between quitting and pushing on.

It is the difference between renewed optimism and accepting defeat.

Enthusiasm is born from hope and that is where it gets all of its power.

Find some enthusiasm today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us. – Helen Keller

Are you looking at a closed door and missing an open door?

Make it a great day.

Jake

MS – We see only the results which a man’s choices make out of his raw material. But God does not judge him on the raw material at all, but on what he has done with it. – CS Lewis

BAD – I’m going to shoot them and bury them in the hill. – Mike Somers quoting Mark Wahlberg from “The Shooter”

EB – Can I please have some nutcrackers for Christmas? – Rowen Zane

JW – Swimming trunks, daddy. – Zach Warmbir

JD – Progress always involves risk; you can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first. – Frederick Wilcox

I liked the mental picture from the quote about not being able to steal second base with a foot on first.

How often do we hear someone talking of all they would like to do in life only they won’t step off of first?

How often do we ourselves look longingly out towards second, all the time keeping our foot on first?

Mixing my sports metaphors here a little, but I think life is a lot like that quote with one addition – a shot clock.

An unseen, unknown shot clock that is winding down as each day passes. And when the clock expires, first base crumbles.

Life is constantly changing. What was our secure, safe place soon will be past.

We must take our foot off of first or lose it altogether.

Take that leap today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152896325922287

On the 5 year anniversary of his death, one of Jim Rohn’s mentees posted this video on his FaceBook page.

In the video he shares the top lessons he learned from Jim.

If you will change, everything will change for you.

If you want to have more, you have to become more.

Don’t wish it was easier, wish you were better. Go about the business of becoming better.

Do the easy things.

I know I have shared all of these with you multiple times over the years, but this quick summary is a great reminder.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Yesterday was the 73rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

I recently read “Unbroken” which is the story based in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. More than anything I was again struck by the willingness to serve shown by Americans in general during that time period.

The book is about Louis Zamperini. He was a famous track star headed for greatness, but he didn’t think about his career or the money or the fame, he wanted to serve.

It reminded me that my job is to do the most with the opportunities given me by the sacrifices of men like him. To make the most of the freedom won at such an extreme cost.

Be thankful today to those who have served. Be humbled by the gifts given that can never be repaid. Be dedicated to honoring their sacrifice by giving your best.

Make it a great day.

Jake

http://youtu.be/2kjoUjOHjPI

Skipped a traditional Christmas song in exchange for this soon to be classic….

Merry Christmas.

Jake