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

https://youtu.be/jVf4_WglzWA

A man in motion.

A simple mental picture to use to remember to always keep moving forward.

Keep moving forward today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

“Maybe who we are isn’t so much about what we do, but rather what we’re capable of when we least expect it.”

― Jodi Picoult, My Sister’s Keeper

We are all capable of being amazing and sometimes it comes out when we least expect it.

I think that in order for it to come out we need to create and/or get into situations we least expected.

When we find ourselves in surprising situations we tend to surprise ourselves.

Start small and start today.

Do something you wouldn’t normally do.

Make it a great day.

Jake

JD – “It’s like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story.”

― Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind

EB – Well, you’re just going to kiss a few pigs along the way.

JW- I’m glad that’s over. – Ethan Warmbir

MS – But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. – James 3:17

I really liked the quote above from “The Name of The Wind”.

What a great way to look at and seek to improve our attitude and belief system about ourselves.

The story we tell ourselves in our head is that story that we build ourselves out of.

What kind of story are you building?

Looking down the road, do you see anything that you would like to change?

Why is it you are telling yourself that story?

Is it something you came up with or that someone else did?

If you could change one thing, what would it be?

Does the story fill you with anxiety and dread or hope and happiness?

You get to pick the answer to all of these questions. Choose wisely.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Never mind what others do; do better than yourself, beat your own record from day to day, and you are a success. – William J. H. Boetcker

We all already know that there is no use in comparing ourselves to others.

The idea of “keeping up with the Jones’s” is something most of us know not to try to do.

But, we still get tempted.

Jealousy still rears its ugly head.

Focus on setting your own goals. Focus on what is meaningful to you.

Break your own records. Forget what everyone else is doing.

Make it a great day.

Jake