https://youtu.be/R9ncBUcInTM

Good day for some sunshine.

Summer feels like it is officially here.

Time to do all the summer stuff and enjoy some sunshine.

We were built to enjoy the sunshine and be outside.

Enjoy the summer!

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Started watching the new Lord of the Rings show with Maggie and it reminded me of this email from a few years ago….

“I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone.’ – Gandalf

I should think so — in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!” – Bilbo

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Maggie has been reading “The Hobbit” lately. I went in search of a good quote and this exchange stuck out as a key part of the narrative.

Bilbo lives in comfort. He has set himself and his home up for a life without problems.

But it is only when he goes out in search of adventure that he is able to change the world.

JRR Tolkien did a great job of making an important point in this series of books:

Even the smallest person can change the world if he is pure of heart if that person has the courage to step out of his comfort zone.

You may feel small and insignificant.

You may have a home and life set up for comfort.

You may look at an adventure as a nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable thing that may make you late for dinner.

Only when you have the courage to step out of your comfort zone do you begin to change the world.

Major important point – you were created to make a difference in this world, don’t get so comfortable you miss out on it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” – he Mark 9:42 ESV

Other translations I think have the words as whoever causes a little one to stumble…

I think of this verse often. When the Bible says you would be better off having a large stone tied around your neck and flung into the ocean my ears perk up. Probably something to avoid.

We all have the opportunity to influence those around us (and the little ones around even more so) and taking the Bible encourages us to take this responsibility seriously.

The consequences are serious.

The opportunity to make a difference is meaningful.

The reason the work of self improvement, self discipline, goal setting, etc. is worth it is that we can do a better job of serving those in our lives. We should bring our best to the relationships that matter the most. To those we influence the most.

The choice is yours.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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“What’s done is done. There is no need to speak to Edmund about what has passed.” – Aslan from “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”

I was watching this movie recently and heard these lines and they really stuck out to me.

In the movie, Edmund’s character had just made it back after committing an act of treachery. Aslan gave him a “talking to” and then told everyone else the lines above.

We all need someone who can give us the stern talking to when we’ve stepped out of line.

But that isn’t what really stuck out to me.

What stuck out to me in particular was the idea of letting the past be the past. No need to talk about it again.

From both perspectives.

If we are the one needing forgiveness, to let things go and move forward. Not to dwell on our mistakes but to learn from them and move forward.

If we are the ones forgiving, to not bring it up again. To let our loved ones grow and move forward from their past.

Let go of past transgressions. What’s done is done. No need to speak of it again.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/KUBQZ0vRvjE

Memorial Day weekend. A time when we memorialize those that lost their lives in service to our country.

America isn’t perfect, but to some brave souls, it’s worth fighting and dying for.

Your freedom and opportunity was worth protecting.

Freedom is what we have to show for their sacrifice.

It’s up to us to make the most of it.

To make that sacrifice worth while.

A sobering thought.

Make it a great day.

JAke

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It is not love that should be depicted as blind, but self-love. – Voltaire

That one sure stings a little. Maybe hits a little too close to home. Maybe I’m the only one?

As I get older my selective blindness has become more and more clear. I’m not good enough to pick it out ahead of time, all the time, but I sure can tell that I’m not seeing the whole picture.

I convince myself that my ideas are good.

The stuff I want is necessary.

That my desires and wants are best for everybody.

That I have everyone’s best interests at heart.

That I’ll do better with the diet and exercise tomorrow.

That a few more minutes of TV won’t hurt.

What are you blind to? Who in your life might better see things as they are? Who might serve as an accountability partner?

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – When you see me doing any of these things – please call me out!

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“There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

In order to find, we must look.

We must actively work towards finding what we desire for our lives.

It doesn’t just come to us.

We must find the relevant information.

We must ask others who might know where it is.

What are you looking for?

Make it a great day.

Jake

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“Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different…” – “Prince Caspian” (1951) – CS Lewis

Something I’ve read over and over is the idea that we underestimate how much we can do in the long run while overestimating what we can do in the short run.

Small, incremental changes in a consistent direction lead to extraordinary results.

Over booking ourselves while trying to do everything leads to stress and mediocre results.

We must make room for the important stuff and let go of the trivial.

I’m sure you already know all of this.

I’m sure something popped into your head as you thought about it.

Take a small action towards that something, today.

Don’t wait until tomorrow.

Get started.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Life ought to be a struggle of desire toward adventures whose nobility will fertilize the soul. – Rebecca West

Our goals and direction need to be towards something of value – I like the word nobility here. They must be noble in purpose and value.

How might you add some nobility and purpose to your goals?

Getting healthy to be a good example and around longer for your kids is better than trying to look good in a swimsuit.

Managing your money well goes better when it’s wrapped up in responsibility and stewardship thoughts.

Client and sales goals have more meaning when done from a place of service and love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/-wcjBU8zbdY

In this beautiful life there’s always some sorrow And It’s a double-edged knife, but there’s always tomorrow, oh, you know
It’s up to you now if you sink or swim
Just keep the faith that your ship will come in

It’s not so bad

One of Meaghan’s favorite songs is Ordinary Miracles – this song reminds me of that idea.

We will live mostly ordinary days.

We will sleep, eat, work, talk, etc. in a very "normal" way.

Therein lies our opportunity for triumph or sorrow.

We can use those days to develop habits that create a life of peace and joy or dismay and turmoil.

What we build in ourselves during those ordinary days determines how we show up on the extraordinary ones (those are guaranteed as well).

Make it a great day.

Jake

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