But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. – Abraham Lincoln from the Gettysburg Address

Yesterday we got the news that a fellow Mavidean, James Justice, had passed away.

Death is shocking to many of us because of the finality of it all. There is no more time to be spent with the deceased, no more jokes to be laughed at, no more meals to be had.

We see ourselves, our lives, our choices from this lens and are faced with the finality in our own lives.

All of our yesterdays are past, they are no more. Tomorrow is not promised to us. But in the finality of our yesterdays and the uncertainty of tomorrow lies our hope for today. We have each day to do our best, to become our best and give others our best.

And by embracing this time we have and giving it our all we honor those that have gone before us.

It may not be fair that we get to have today and James (and others) did not.

It isn’t about fair. It is about making the most of the time we have and giving of ourselves in love for others.

I sent out this part of the Gettysburg Address because I believe that Abraham Lincoln makes the point better than I ever could.

It is for us to be dedicated to the great task before us. To honor the deceased by living in a way they would be proud of.

Make it a great day.

Jake

That some achieve great success, is proof to all that others can achieve it as well. – Abraham Lincoln

In honor of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday I thought I would share quotes from him for the rest of the week.

This quote is a great reminder to all of us that great success is within our grasp.

I think it is especially fitting giving Lincoln’s humble beginnings. If he can rise to greatness in his situation, how much more is possible for us?

One of my personal goals this year is to read a few more biographies and autobiographies. There is so much to be learned from the lives of others.

Spend a moment today thinking about someone who has been successful in an area you are working on. Think about how they would make choices. Think about how they would handle situations.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Bonus quote: If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one? – Abraham Lincoln

Do for one as you wish you could do for all. – Andy Stanley

In a recent podcast Andy Stanley talked about the subject of how we can help. He was talking about the more difficult problems that we face.

Poverty.

Disease.

War.

The world has some pretty big problems. And it is overwhelming to think about the size of these problems.

Andy suggests that we do for one what we wish we could for all.

We chose a problem or a problem area and focus on one person to help.

He suggests that we take a long term approach and go deep with that one individual. He tells the story of how he and his wife worked with a woman that was a homeless drug addict when they first met, but after 20+ years this woman is on her own and taking care of herself.

What problem are you passionate about?

What could you do to find just one person to help?

Make it a great day.

Jake

JD – I went to sleep and dreamed that life is joy, I awoke and saw that life is service, I served and learned that service is joy.

JW – If the work out doesn’t suck at some point it’s not worth doing or talking about. If it’s a beautiful sunny 60 degree day and you go for a walk, where’s the adventure? If it’s cold, windy, rainy, and you get lost… now that’s an adventure!- The Godins, North Grafton, Mass.

JM – My voice is my passport – verify me.

EB – The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team. – Phil Jackson

Hope everybody has a great weekend.

Jake

http://youtu.be/pEQAie8ABLE

As we finish up the series of quotes on service I thought I would send out a song that reminds me of service to others.

We all must look in the mirror and make the changes necessary to be of service to our fellow man.

Challenge yourself to look for those positive changes you can make for yourself and for others.

Make it a great day.

Jake

"Whoever renders service to many puts himself in line for greatness– great wealth, great return, great satisfaction, great reputation, and great joy."

“Service is the measure of greatness; it always has been true; it is true today, and it always will be true, that he is greatest who does the most of good. Nearly all of our controversies and combats grow out of the fact that we are trying to get something from each other–there will be peace when our aim is to do something for each other. The human measure of a human life is its income; the divine measure of a life is its outgo, its overflow–its contribution to the welfare of all.” ~ William Jennings Bryan

My favorite line from this quote: the divine measure of a life is its outgo.

What a powerful thought.

The ultimate measure of our lives is the service we have rendered for others.

Make it a great day.

Jake

All of us are born for a reason, but all of us don’t discover why. Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others. ~ Danny Thomas

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. ~ Mohandas K. Gandhi

He who has the desire to keep his life will have it taken from him, and he who gives up his life because of me will have it given back to him. Matthew 10:39

Continuing on with the theme of service today.

Today’s quotes are a reminder of one of the great paradoxes of life. Only by giving up our own desires in service to others we are able to find that which we desire.

In serving others we find out what we are really made for.

When we serve others we are able to see what is really important and can then order and prioritize our lives differently.

Make it a great day of service.

Jake

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

This was next on the list of quotes on service.

This quote covers so much and says a lot already, so I will keep it brief.

“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.”

What a great definition of service. Making life easier for others.

Make it a great day.

Jake

JD – The next best thing to being wise one-self is to live in a circle of those who are. – C.S. Lewis

KJ – You have everything you need to build something far bigger than yourself. – Seth Godin

JW – The bamboo which bends in stronger than the oak which resists. —Japanese Proverb

EB – I’m going to miss Kim being here every day! – Wise Man

JM – What do a bicycle and Viagra have in common?

Before you ask JM for the answer to that question you have to agree not to sue…..

I love the idea behind the Seth Godin quote above.

Begin today with what you have to build the future you want.

You have everything you need.

You don’t need to wait for this or that or the other in order to get started.

Move forward. Start right now.

Make it a great weekend.

Jake