Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast – you also miss the sense of where you are going and why. – Eddie Cantor

Ever find yourself rushing from one place to another, wondering the whole time how you got yourself into this situation in the first place? You wonder where you are going and why.

This quote reminded me of those situations and the importance of slowing down a little.

When we are rushing and running, it is easy to lose our direction and purpose.

We feel like we are spinning our wheels or going in circles. Because we are.

Progress is slow and arduous when you don’t constantly make sure you are headed in the right direction.

We must live on purpose and with purpose. Looking at our “why” each day and taking small steps towards it, daily.

Find 5 minutes today to honestly look at your direction.

Make it a great day.

Jake

JD – I like smiling. Smiling is my favorite. – The Elf

JW – Do you know why I am pulling you over tonight?

BAD – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

MS* – Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color. – The Elf

EB – Man, I was owning some thirteen year olds the other night. – Mr. Mustache (Mr. Mustache would like all his fans out there to know that this quote was in reference to his domination in playing against thirteen year olds in Call of Duty, not 100% sure that makes it any better).

Jamie’s quote was in reference to his getting pulled over the other night. In the end, the officer let him off with a warning.

It was great to hear Jamie tell the story of how he had been shown some undeserved grace and how much he appreciated it.

It was a great reminder to give grace whenever possible.

Is there someone in your life that needs a little grace?

Make it a great day.

Jake

While I relish our warm months, winter forms our character and brings out our best. – Tom Allen

Winter is a great metaphor for those times in our life when things aren’t going so well.

This quote hints at that.

The hard times in our life form our character. They mold and shape our attitudes and belief system.

The hard times also bring out our best. When we are truly tested, we are given the opportunity to show our best.

Embrace the winters of your life as a time to get better and stronger.

Make it a great day.

Jake

One of the first Christmas rituals at the Davis house is the annual viewing of “The Elf”.

As is typical for most Will Ferrell movies, there are some real gems of wisdom in the movie.

In particular, the “Code of the Elves” felt like some brilliant wisdom.

The Code of the Elves:

1. Treat every day like Christmas.

2. There is room for everyone on the nice list.

3. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

The third one is questionable in my case, but maybe there is some wisdom on the list…..

Treat every day like Christmas. What would life be like if we did this? Do you think it would be better or worse?

There is room for everyone on the nice list. What if we treated everyone like this? What if we approached all of the “not nice” people we run into as if it were only a matter of time until they made the “nice list”?

Simple concepts. Treat every day like a day to celebrate. Expect the best of and for other’s in our lives.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Yesterday we lit the first Advent candle at church. It’s officially Christmas season now.

The first Advent candle represents hope. To Christians, the hope of what was to come in form of a baby in a manger on Christmas day.

Hope is a great word to describe some of the buzz that happens around Christmas.

We watch Christmas movies full of hope.

We listen to Christmas music full of hope.

Hope that people will get along better.

Hope that we will appreciate what we have.

Hope that peace and joy will win out over anger and depression.

Hope that we will find what we are looking for.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas season this year.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tomorrow is the official kick off of the holiday season (although I think all the retailers wants us to believe it starts with Halloween now).

One thought for everyone for tomorrow (in addition to being thankful).

Be present.

Don’t let the holiday pass by in a blur without slowing down (at least a little).

Enjoy the moments. Take a few deep breaths. Maybe even relax a little.

Make it a great day and have a great long weekend.

Jake

BAD – "I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." G.K. Chesterton

MS* – Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. – Melody Beattie

EB* – Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.- William Arthur Ward

JW – High fives for John, kids. For being awesome. – Jamie Warmbir

JD – When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude. – Gilbert K. Chesterton

In our leadership team meeting this week, Jamie shared a quick story of a store employee that went above and beyond to help him out.

High fives for John, kids.

His story reminded me of how the little things really do matter.

It really does matter that John went the extra mile to help a customer.

It really does matter that Jamie took a moment to thank him in front of his kids.

It really does matter that Jamie shared the story with his team.

Make it a great evening.

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

http://youtu.be/OLKiyo48VJI

Last chance to send a thankful song for the toe tapper and I came across this one.

“I thank you” – what a great name for a song.

If only we could hold that sentiment for more of our day, we would find ourselves having much better days.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Neal: [riding in back of pickup truck in freezing cold] What do you think the temperature is?

Del: One.

This is one of my favorite scenes from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. It has been posted on the FaceBox a few times lately since it has been a little bit cold around here already.

It’s funny how holiday movies can set the mood for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The favorite quotes and scenes bring back memories of the past and remind us of all we have to be thankful for and happy about.

This time of year also tends to get busy. We run from place to place and from event to event.

What if we slowed down a little this year?

What if we made time for all our old favorite movies?

What if we made time for silence and prayer?

Make it a great day.

Jake