We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do. – Mother Teresa

Reminder for all of us (or maybe just me?) – Christmas is a time of JOY!

We should be smiling.

Sure, there’s lots of work to do.

Sure, things don’t always go as planned.

Sure, my foot hurts real bad (that was hopefully just for me).

There are a lot of reasons to smile too….

Christmas.

Baby Jesus being born all those years ago.

Friends.

Family.

Presents.

Decorations.

Food.

Let’s all make an effort to smile more this Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Jake

A player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player. Losing yourself in the group, for the good of the group — that’s teamwork.

The star of the team is the team. ‘We’ supersedes ‘me.

Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights.

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We don’t have to be superstars or win championships…. All we have to do is learn to rise to every occasion, give our best effort, and make those around us better as we do it.

The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team.

John Wooden – quotes on teamwork.

Maggie and I have been watching Hoosiers as we’ve started another high school basketball season at our house.

It’s a classic story of the small town under dog team that puts it all together for a magical season.

A group of individuals learn to put the team first and to believe in each other.

For some reason – we were made to work together towards goals. We are at our best when we are giving our best to others in pursuit of something important.

What would it look like at Mavidea/Maxlider if we all leaned into this a little bit more?

What have been some of the moments when we’ve done this best?

What should we be doing to cultivate this more?

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/gtM8BRF7Bd0

I’ve probably sent this song out every Christmas season even though it probably isn’t on many Christmas playlists.

To me it tells the story of the season and the story behind Christmas as well as any traditional Christmas song.

The story of Jesus and his birth told against the backdrop of God’s plan for all of humankind is the whole point of Christmas.

It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas with all of the to dos and happenings, but it’s important to reminder the bigger story.

That God sent his one and only son to live and die for you and wants to live in you for the rest of your days here and forever with you in Heaven.

Make it a great day.

Jake

December 1st – time to admit that Christmas and the end of the year will be here soon enough.

Time to embrace the joy and giving of Christmas.

Time to put the bow on those goals for 2022.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have. – Margaret Mead

I think of this quote often at our little group of companies.

We aren’t quite doing a bazillion dollars in business or making the Forbes list, but we are making a difference.

We are influencing each other and our clients in ways we can’t imagine.

How we work together and the values we build into the culture of who we are will have a lasting impact on all of us.

It’s no small thing. What we do matters.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Each time we visit another area of the country we get a glimpse into how people live in those areas.

This last trip was no different. We spent some time on Anna Marie Island – a whole island of people literally living on the beach.

These visits are a reminder – we can freely choose to order our lives as we see fit. We could choose to live on the beach on an island.

Or on a mountain.

Or in a big city.

Or close to family.

Or ….fill in the blank.

Maybe you’ve thought through it all and are exactly where you want to be. Maybe a little tweak would make your current situation more ideal. Maybe a change in attitude is needed.

Either way – it’s worthwhile to imagine ideal for you and move towards it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – To be clear – I don’t believe where and how you choose to live should not be some self-centered, hedonistic pursuit of perpetual comfort. How and where you spend your time can be an exercise in finding your ultimate place to be of the most service to others in love.

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. – William Arthur Ward

Being thankful is the beginning of a better and more full life.

When we are thankful for what we have we transform our attitude and prepare ourselves for more of the same.

Think of an area of your life where you want to see a change.

Find something in that area to be thankful for.

Maybe an example would help.

Let’s say you wanted to save some money.

First, be thankful for whatever money you do have.

Treat that little bit as if it were a blessing that you get the opportunity to steward.

And then you will have the attitude it will take to start adding more.

Make it a great day.

Jake

I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. – Henry David Thoreau

Reminder – thankfulness and gratitude shouldn’t be a once a year thing.

The Bible implores us to have thanks in all circumstances. And I think it really means ALL.

Let’s make it a habit.

Make it a great day.

Jake

If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share. – W. Clement Stone

Being thankful is a great place to start because it reminds us that we have something to give.

We weren’t put on this earth to just consume all that we can and be thankful along the way. We were made to give.

If you are thankful for all the love in your life, show it and share it.

If you are lucky enough to have a little extra money, give it away.

If you have some free time, find a place to volunteer.

There are many ways we can share this holiday season.

A great place to start is that list you think of over Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. As you think of what you are thankful for, take a moment to think of a way to share whatever it is you are thinking about.

Our real opportunity to change this place forever lies in our ability to share and give the best of ourselves with others.

What are you going to share?

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/TeQ_TTyLGMs

First snow on the ground in Central IL this week.

Oliver has developed into quite the snow lover. He has been so excited to come home and run out into the snow and play.

Every time winter comes – it sure seems easier to move into complaining mode.

To dread the cold, the snow and the shorter days. To worry about the seemingly inevitable round of cold or bug that goes around each year.

Instead – Oliver thinks it’s the best day of his life. He’s smiling so wide he could eat a banana sideways.

Maybe a few of us could use a perspective change.

Find something you like about winter and embrace it.

Hot chocolate, coffee or tea.

A warm blanket next to fireplace.

Some quiet time to read and reflect.

A fast sled ride down a steep hill (that’s pretty high up on Oliver’s list).

Maybe even make up some new traditions for the winter at your house.

Winter can be a great season – if you choose.

Make it a great day.

Jake