BAD – You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today. – Abraham Lincoln

JD – Don’t go by the sun….you’ll melt your ice cream! – Anne Davis to her sister Margaret (who was standing in the sun coming in through a window while eating ice cream)

JW – Patience is a tree whose root is bitter, but its fruit is very sweet. – Canadian proverb

EB* – When you are courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second. When you sit on a red-hot cinder a second seems like an hour. That’s relativity. – Albert Einstein

MS – Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. – King Solomon

JR – Always try something twice, in case you mess up the first time. – Jason Roush original TM, Copyright, etc.

I really liked Jason’s original quote this week.

What a great thought. Just plan on trying it twice (at least).

All too often we give something a try and give up too easily when some perseverance and grit would have led to a breakthrough.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=820976471314352&fref=nf

This one went around on FaceBox the other day, so you may have already seen it.

It is awesome what we can accomplish when working together.

A bunch of kids and a bunch of practice and you get cool music.

We can do the same. In our families, our churches, at Mavidea, etc. we can work together to accomplish great things.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Only the mediocre are always at their best. – Jean Giraudoux

What a great way to think about those times when we fall short.

If we never failed it would mean that we were never reaching beyond ourselves, never pushing our limits.

If we choose to accept the mediocre and consistently perform at that level we may not have to face the pain of failure, but we will likely feel the pain of regret. The pain of never having tried and given it our all.

Try something outside your comfort zone today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Today is tax day. Taxes are a great example of an area for me that could use some improvement in attitude.

I would like some day to become a completely happy tax payer.

To write those checks and think of roads, schools, soldiers and the greatness we have as a nation.

As with most things in life, it is your own attitude towards something that drives your happiness or dissatisfaction.

Taxes will be about the same no matter your personal attitude when paying them.

Might as well make it a good one.

Make it a great day.

Jake

After the story of doubting Thomas, the disciples are given an important command – go and tell others.

Inspire the same belief they found in others.

I think this can apply in goal setting and personal development as well.

Once you have the belief in the new you, bring someone along.

Inspire someone along the same journey and bring them with you.

Make it a great day.

Jake

After Easter, there is another classic Christian story that is told almost every year – the story of Doubting Thomas.

The story goes that after Jesus rose from the dead one of the disciples (Thomas) said he wouldn’t believe that Jesus had risen until he saw the wound marks from the crucifixion. Jesus shows these marks and Thomas believes.

It is hard to believe without seeing.

Whether it be in a risen savior or in yourself.

Belief is such an important part of the process of goal achievement and personal development.

Fortunately, we can all “see” the results we want to achieve in our minds and in the results others have achieved.

We are fortunate to live in a time with so much written down and documented about the success (and failures) of others.

As you look at your life and any potential changes you want to make, believe in the change by seeing it first.

Picture it in your mind and find proof of someone else that has done it.

Once that belief is built, you are on your way.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/6dBW4pViRTU

Defying gravity.

What assumptions of others are you allowing to keep you from reaching your potential?

All too often we allow others around us and what everybody else is doing to set our course and our limits.

When you think about your goals and aspirations, think outside of this. Create your own plan outside of everyone else’s expectations.

Make it a great day.

Jake

The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it. – William James

I found this quote and immediately had the mental picture of someone carving a statue.

They work a little of time here and a little bit of time there, slowly chipping away at it.

Then one day, a masterpiece stands in front of them. Something that will outlast them.

When it comes to building a legacy, most of the time I think this is how it works.

Not one brilliant moment of glory, but slow and steady chipping.

Not crowds and bright lights, but consistent methodical process over a long time.

What are you chipping away at?

Make it a great day.

Jake

BAD – Keep your eyes open to your mercies. The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life. – Robert Louis Stevenson

JD – Two is one and one is none.

JW – My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. – Proverbs 1:10

EB* – The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists. – Charles Dickens

MS* – Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house. -King Solomon

The Proverb above from Jamie is a good reminder of an important life lesson.

Be careful who you allow to influence you.

If you feel like you are struggling with something, maybe a good place to look would be your close associations.

Are you allowing someone or something to entice you in a direction you don’t want to head?

Make it a great day.

Jake

Yesterday we were reminded that tragedy can strike at any time when a small plane crashed east of town.

When something like this happens, it reminds us that life is both precious and short. We aren’t guaranteed tomorrow.

Let this be a wakeup call for you.

Take action on something you have been sitting on the fence about.

Make that call to that loved one you haven’t talked to in a while.

Kiss and hug those kids a little extra before bed tonight.

Live your life to the fullest today and every day.

Make it a great day.

Jake