“This is the true joy in life: Being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one, being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and, as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.” – George Bernard Shaw

Does this describe you:

A mighty purpose….

A force of nature….

Or does this describe you:

A feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances…

Complaining that the whole world will not devote itself to making you happy…

We all have the same opportunity to find our purpose. To clarify as best we can. To live it every day.

And when we do….

Our splendid torch, which we have a hold for the moment, will burn brightly before we pass it on to the next generations.

If you haven’t taken the time to write down a personal mission statement or purpose statement, hopefully this has inspired you to spend some time working on one.

Make it a great day.

Jake

A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. – George Bernard Shaw

A hard lesson to learn in life is to take more chances.

You get to a certain age (old like me) and you’ve been dinged up from a few mistakes and it sure seems easier to just avoid risk altogether.

You’ve developed some personal defense mechanisms to keep the bad stuff away.

But we’ve got to take chances.

To learn and grow.

To love and be loved.

To know what we are truly capable of.

Try something new today. Even if it is something little. Just to get out of your comfort zone.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – this probably goes without saying, but use wisdom here. Some chances aren’t worth taking. Don’t risk your marriage or your health or your relationship with your kids over something foolish.

26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[a] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. – Matthew 6:26-34

Any time I feel the anxiousness creeping in, I try to remind myself of the verses above.

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of worrying.

Our minds appear to have a natural tendency towards worry and anxiety.

But I believe God has a different plan for us.

Promises like joy and peace are there for us if we can renew our mind and put the right thoughts in.

If you’re feeling a lot of anxiety lately, read these versions again. Maybe every day. Renew your mind with these timeless truths.

Make it a great day.

Jake

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. – e. e. cummings

Monday morning reminder – laugh more!

Life is short and filled with trouble.

Might as well squeeze in a little more laughter.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/G6Vw9RGm1tM?si=DkEIRsf8Rr_494T7

Time to dress up the kiddos and parade around asking for candy.

I’ve never been a huge Halloween fan, but the kids sure do have fun running around the neighborhood asking for candy.

My favorite part is giving away the candy.

Telling all the kids to take another piece or two and then seeing them run back to their parents or on to the next house.

Have fun whether you are on the giving or receiving side!

Make it a great day.

Jake

Yesterday would have been my aunt’s birthday, it reminded me of this daily attitude email I sent a few years ago…

My aunt Marlyn passed away over the weekend and it has me thinking about her.

When I was in college about once a month she sent me a card with a $20 bill in it.

It was always the highlight of the day if one of those cards showed up in the mail.

I’m ashamed to admit that I blew all that money and don’t have much to show for it, but the memory has always stuck with me.

She took the time to find a card, put in some money and mail it off to me.

I don’t know if she did this for a hundred people or just me, I just know it made a difference to me.

It always made me feel special and like someone was rooting for me.

And the lesson I learned is to always look out for those little opportunities to show someone they are loved and that you are rooting for them.

Think of somebody in your life that could use a little pick me up….then send them a card with a $20 bill in it (or whatever works).

Be generous.

Be thoughtful.

Do something small, a couple of times, just to get started.

It will make a difference.

They’ll be talking about it when you’re long gone.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Out of difficulties grow miracles. – Jean de la Bruyere

Think about the inspiring stories you have heard – almost all involve some kind of difficulty that was overcome.

We are inspired by others and their ability to overcome adversity and then we shy away from or avoid difficulties in our lives.

We run away from them when we could be embracing them.

Our difficulties become part of our story.

Our story can then be used to inspire ourselves and others if we are able to push through and come out the other side.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JqHkmp9z8/

Discipline weighs ounces, regret weighs tons.

I’ve head people talk about this with their health or their family relationships.

They spend years making poor choices and then something big happens.

They then spend all the resources they have to try to correct the situation. Sometimes it works, sometimes it’s too late.

Be disciplined in the small stuff today.

Decide what kind of person you are and stick with it. You are worth it. And if you don’t, you’ll regret it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19zqbut7c3/

Do you know how to tell if someone needs encouragement?

If they are breathing.

Everyone needs encouragement and it costs you nothing to give it to them.

What a great quote and interaction and reminder.

Be encouraging this week. Start at home with your family. Then move on to your coworkers. Then to the customers. Then to others you meet as you go about your day and week.

Remember….if they are breathing….they need it!

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/xVOJla2vYx8?si=vKD9Hx3EubpR6uR2

Finally turned to fall around Central Illinois this week.

The change of the season is a consistent reminder of a constant of life – things will change.

Change can be something to fight against or to work with.

We can embrace the changes and work to make the best of each turn.

Or we can spend our energies wishing it was different.

Make it a great day.

Jake