I recently read an article about what the author called “the Law of Least Effort”.

In it, the author described how nature goes about things in the easiest way possible. Plants grow towards the area of least resistance. Wind and water flow through the areas of least resistance.

The author then found three areas for us to apply this concept in our lives:

First, we must accept things as they are. We could spin our wheels all day wishing that circumstances were different, but they aren’t. Instead, we must spend our efforts focused on what we can do with what we are presented with.

Second, we must take responsibility for the way things are. It is actually less effort to accept responsibility than to search for excuses and pass out blame.

Lastly, we must not be defensive. We should not spend our time defending our actions or answering every critic.

This short little least was a great reminder of how much effort we might be expending that isn’t moving us towards our goals.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Link to article:

http://www.chopra.com/community/daily-inspiration

When I think of Memorial Day, I am reminded of the famous letter that Abraham Lincoln wrote to Mrs. Bixby (below).

I can’t see how it could be said better in so few words.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Dear Madam,–

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln

https://youtu.be/z0rxydSolwU

Last weekend, we walked to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. My wife’s cousin lost his battle with this terrible disease a little over 5 years ago.

This song shows the battle of one young man and reminds us to make the most of our lives.

Diseases like Cystic Fibrosis are a reminder that life is brief even at the longest and we need to make the most of it.

You are looking towards a long weekend, make the most of it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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

Annie has been learning to read and loves to practice reading books. Maggie walks around with a book in her hand, reading all the time.

It has been so great to watch them grow into a love of reading. It’s easy to forget that love of reading that many of us first had when we read those first great books that we loved.

Where are you in your reading journey?

When was the last time you did some exercise for your mind?

If it has been a while, find something you would like to read and do it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

JW – “For every dark night, there’s a bright day after that, so no matter how hard it gets keep your head up, stick your chest out and handle it.” – Unknown

JD – Chicks love scars on your face. – Mike Somers

BAD – "It is a sign of great inner insecurity to be hostile to the unfamiliar." – Anais Nin

EB* – Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings. – Robert Bloch

MS – True friends know, accept, love, serve, and celebrate one another. -Bill Hybles

It’s always darkest before the dawn.

We all have moments when things seem a little dark. When we are groping, reaching toward something we can’t see yet.

A place where it seems like things will never change or get better.

I’m sure I don’t understand how we get there or why it works like this, but it does.

But there is always sunshine coming. If you are looking for it and moving towards it.

If you are in the dark, keep moving. You will see the sun before you know it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Find a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain. – Joseph Campbell

This quote create a great mental picture to me. A spark of joy leading to a consuming fire that burns out all the pain.

Focusing on the joy in our life allows us to slowly but surely crowd out the negative and the painful.

Not that it will ever go away completely, just that it will seem so small and insignificant compared to the joy.

Focus on one small (or large) joy today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

At the beginning of the movie “The Legend of Bagger Vance” the narrator says “God is happiest when his children are at play.”

Yesterday, I had the good fortune to play in a charity golf outing with some good friends.

We had fun playing.

We were built for both play and work.

It’s easy as an adult to get stuck in work mode. To get stuck focused on all the tasks and stuff that needs to be done.

But we need to make some time to play.

Play with your kids.

Play with your friends.

Play with your spouse.

Make the time to have fun and do something that isn’t a task.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/RFm5FY7UKM4

This video shows the remarkable journey of a dog that fights his way through learning to walk.

What stuck with me most about this video was the process.

It wasn’t just a couple of days or weeks, but years that it took for this process to work.

It wasn’t quick and continual progress, but long and filled with setbacks.

Sometimes the miracle process of change is slow and gradual. One step after another. You just have to keep taking them.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/PQazF6jUt8M

I liked the simple message in this one.

Every day is sunshine if I count my blessings.

It’s hard to argue with that.

Count your blessings today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Young people are in a condition like permanent intoxication, because youth is sweet and they are growing. – Aristotle

Last night I had the privilege of handing out a couple of scholarships to two El Paso Gridley High School students.

I have been lucky enough to attend a few of these senior awards nights at local high schools.

Each time I am struck by the “kids” getting the awards. They smile and accept their awards with more respect and dignity than I’m sure I would have had at their age.

After the ceremonies, as I am driving home I think to myself that all of the “we’re going to hell in a handbasket” people have it all wrong.

Sure, the next generation isn’t like previous generations. And I’m certain they aren’t perfect.

But, I’m convinced that there are a bunch of great kids out there. Most of them wanting to make a positive impact for others.

Us older people have a tremendous opportunity. We can embrace and support the next generation through mentoring, coaching and leadership. We can help them become a generation of leaders and increase their impact on society.

Make it a great day.

Jake