https://youtu.be/QUQsqBqxoR4?si=RRX9uMB2uUUWiDzu

Be brave and speak your truth.

Something society seems to have embraced more than ever.

In response to a time when it was expected that differing views be kept to ourselves and not voiced the norm now seems to have shifted the other way.

Now that I’m old I’m hoping that we can find a way to hold on to the openness and acceptance of today while adding in some of the accountability and responsibility that seems to be missing.

It’s ok to speak your mind and share without fear of retribution. Unless you are a big giant jerk, then there should probably be some accountability.

It’s ok to make choices in your life that other’s might not agree with. As long as you take responsibility for the results and don’t place the burden on your neighbor.

It’s ok to disagree strongly with others and even work to convince them there is a better alternative. As long as you actually love them and want the best for them.

My sincere hope is that we’ll find a way to bring the best of the past with us as we embrace all the new possibilities that change and growth present.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

So much of our experience is born out of our perspective and attitudes.

Two people can look at the same sunset but have a different experience.

Resetting our perspectives to create more joy and happiness is a lifelong pursuit.

Where might a resetting of perspective serve you well?

Do you struggle with contentment and need to change that perspective?

Do you struggle with selfishness and need to change that perspective?

Do you struggle with….?

We can change our perspective by experiencing new things and being thoughtful about the world around us.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Something to get you started….switch from thinking of things happening to you and start thinking of things happening for you.

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Annie turns 15 today! It really feels like we now have another young woman in the house.

Annie is the middle child in the Davis family, so she gets all the good and all the bad parenting.

I’ve told her from the beginning that she has a special role in the family – she’s the only one that gets to be a little sister AND a big sister.

I’m sure there are times when that perspective isn’t her favorite and it’s easy to get frustrated about being stuck in the middle.

But for the most part, I think she’s doing pretty well at it.

One more life lesson courtesy of Annie.

If you stick with it – you can get better at something.

When Annie started playing the flute…not so great….

Now, real music comes from her room all the time. I’m sure there is some talent in there but it’s mostly been her sticking with it. Playing it again and again until music came out.

So many times in life I’ve given up on something during the part where I’m not so great at it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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The present time has one advantage over every other – it is our own. – Charles Caleb Colton

I like the corny saying of – the present is a gift.

To this quote I might add – it is our own to steward.

I like the idea of stewardship when we think about the time of our lives.

Our lives aren’t ours to be hoarded and turned into comforting and selfish experiences.

It’s meant to be managed and spent in service to others with love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we are saved by love. – Reinhold Niebuhr

Reminder to start the week off right.

We’re in this together.

Working as a team is the best way to accomplish anything worthwhile.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/sIaT8Jl2zpI?si=xQ3OC_GhpuYhrIMl

This was on the radio on the way to church on Sunday.

I’ve always liked the message on this one.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy. – Leo Buscaglia

Life goal – worry less!

You should try it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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We have all the light we need, we just need to put it in practice. – Albert Pike

Much of what we want to change or do or be in life is actually relatively straightforward.

Want to lose weight? Eat less and exercise.

Want to be build wealth? Invest your money and spend what’s left.

Want to be fit? Move your body.

Want to be wise? Spend time learning from wise people.

Easy, right?

Not easy for most of us though.

For me, the trouble comes on two fronts.

First – I let myself get distracted by all the little distractions. I let the sands of the hourglass slip through while I do the less important things and ignore the most important.

Second – I talk myself into making more complicated. A workout program needs to be devised. A complicated savings plan put in place. An extreme diet change is required. Before I know it, another week, month, year has gone by with little to no progress.

Probably time to give up….

OR….I could pick something simple and get started.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. – Saint Augustine

Easter was yesterday. Easter is the “big day” of the Christian faith. The day when Christians are reminded of the core focal point of their faith.

The Saint Augustine quote above reminded me of this core focal point. That God loved each of us enough to send his son to die on the cross.

Whether you are a Christian or not, there is also a life lesson in there. And this quote spells it out.

Love and serve others as if they were the only one.

Search today for an opportunity to serve someone else as if they were the only one.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Resending this toe tapper from a few years ago. Happy Easter!

https://youtu.be/y3sdByw9uUc

The kids sang this song at church last Sunday at church and it has been in my head all week.

Today is Good Friday, Sunday is Easter Sunday.

Easter is a great reminder of what Christianity is all about.

The simple idea that Jesus suffered and died for us because of his everlasting love for each and every one of us.

Happy Easter.

Make it a great day.

Jake

A version of the same song with a little more pep (fast forward to about 1:30 to get right to the singing):

https://youtu.be/z0CsJ6GO05s

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