Good one to get you started today.
Make it a great day.
Jake
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Laughter is the closest distance between two people. – Victor Borge
Goal for today. Laugh more.
A lot even.
Laugh enough today that somebody asks “what’s so funny?” And then tell them so they can laugh too.
Watch this to get you started:
Make it a great day.
Jake
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Your life becomes meaningful in precise proportion to the depts of the responsibility you are willing to shoulder. – Jordan Peterson
We were built to seek out and find meaning in our lives. Some fall victim to trying to find it where it can’t be found: stuff, money, food, drugs, alcohol, etc.
Real meaning in our lives comes through the hard stuff: responsibility, love, relationship, humility, service, etc.
Where are you looking for meaning in your life?
What are you doing today to move closer to more and deeper meaning?
Make it a great day.
Jake
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You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need. – Vernon Howard
I recently read a book on minimalism and came away with a similar thought to the one above.
If we have and want less material stuff we can focus and enjoy the rest of life much more.
We’ve been well trained to want stuff. To hunt for it. To read reviews and compare options. To see what others are doing and wearing and making sure we aren’t falling behind or standing out by not being with it.
What’s one thing you could stop wanting that would lead to more joy?
What occupies to big a place in your thoughts and desires?
Make it a great day.
Jake
PS – For those of us who are Christians there is another layer to this. A Christian has succeeded in life when all they really want is only what God wants for and through them. I think the quote above lines up well here too. God wants you to have what you need. And to live life abundantly. He also wants stuff to be in its proper place – after Him, your spouse, your family, your contribution to others, etc.
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I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy. – Rabindranath Tagore
Friendly reminder to start the week – the goal is to be of service (with love).
Opportunities abound.
Make it a great day.
Jake
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Figured a Taylor Swift was a good choice this week in honor of Maggie’s birthday.
This one has some of my favorite lyrics in it:
The whole school is rolling fake dice
You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes
She often does a great job of capturing the feelings of what I would call “teenage angst”. That uneasy feeling of growing up and finding your way in the world.
These lyrics remind me that a lot of are still playing some stupid games for stupid prizes.
We compare ourselves to others and let our level of happiness be determined by how we compare to someone else (often to their “highlight reel on social media”).
We try to win the busy game, always making sure we are busy, busy, busy so next time someone asks we can tell how we are soooooooo busy.
We buy stuff we need to impress others while we spend all our time managing all the stuff we already have.
We let what other people might think get in the way of authentic relationships.
Be careful not to fall into the trap of playing stupid games for stupid prizes.
Make it a great day.
Jake
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Today is Maggie’s 17th birthday.
As she gets ready for her senior year of high school it is becoming more and more clear that this period of time is closing.
Soon enough she’ll be out of the house, doing her own thing and making her own impact.
Right now I’m in the “wish I had more time to….(teach her, show her, tell her, hold her, hang out with her)” stage.
Hopefully I’ll mature soon and get to the “let’s make the most of this” stage.
Looking back and wishing you had more time or had done things differently is natural. Maybe not the best use of time though.
Being present is where it’s at. Giving the most of ourselves to the 17th birthday and not letting the 16th or 18th steal away the precious time we do have.
Wish me luck.
Make it a great day.
Jake
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Love can change a person the way a parent can change a baby — awkwardly, and often with a great deal of mess.
Love requires some vulnerability.
We are changed.
It’s awkward.
It’s messy.
It never quite goes according to plan.
This is true whether we are talking about friends or pets or spouses.
In building real relationships built on love we are moldable and changeable in a way that leaves the outcome unpredictable.
And it’s worth it. The changes – while messy and often difficult – allow us to become more.
Make it a great day.
Jake
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Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody expects of you. Never excuse yourself. – Henry Ward Beecher
Tony Robbins talks a lot about how we only get the results we accept.
Our own standards matter when it comes to how our life will turn out.
What might increased expectations for yourself look like?
What area needs it the most?
Is there something simple you can start with?
The main idea here is to raise them and stick with it. Never excuse yourself.
Make it a great day.
Jake
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A theme I heard more than a few times in Ireland was that of using the lock downs and difficulties as time to “find yourself”.
A large portion of the Irish economy is based on travel and tourism.
And that got shut down. For a long time.
It should have been devastating.
But instead it was a time to find yourself. To slow down and think about what’s really important. To realign life and your priorities with a new perspective.
Here’s hoping next time things don’t go my way I have the maturity to find the good in the situation.
Make it a great day.
Jake
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Practical Steps for Friendship, Unity and Intimacy in Your Marriage
The Daily Attitude Email 