Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. – Dale Carnegie

Contentment is elusive most days.

The balance between ambition for more and doing our best vs being happy with what we have is difficult.

In the Bible Paul talks about being joyful in all circumstances.

How could you be more content in your circumstances this week?

How could you be more grateful for whatever life brings this week?

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if you were working for the Lord. – Colossians 3:23

We spend a significant portion of our lives at work.

This verse from the Bible is a great reminder that success at work is about much more than just doing the minimum or just getting by.

Regardless of whether or not you are a Christian, having a higher purpose than just a paycheck can have a profound impact on your happiness at work.

Think about your average day at work and how you might do things different if you were doing them for a higher purpose.

How would answer that next phone call?

How would you handle that next conflict?

Would you make that extra call, close one more ticket or finish up that project?

A recurring theme I am noticing is the act of removing yourself from the center of things.

When we remove our own selfish desires and put others or a higher purpose first, we get better results.

What can you do differently today to work for a higher purpose?

Make it a great day.

Jake

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To give and not expect return, that is what lies at the heart of love. – Oscar Wilde

Great reminder for the day.

A couple of truths in one quote.

Giving ourselves to others is core to loving well.

Loving well is the greatest of these (faith, hope and love).

We can choose love each day by giving ourselves in love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Everything popular is wrong. – Oscar Wilde

I’m not this quote is 100% correct, but it sure seems to have some truth to it.

We were built for relationship and to want to fit in.

It’s also a trap that’s easy to fall in.

Where are you falling into this trap?

Where might it make sense to do the opposite of what’s popular?

What would moving in the opposite direction look like?

Make it a great day.

Jake
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https://youtu.be/SMTQEDGD0cI

Last night was Annie’s last middle school band performance.

It’s been such a great experience watching her grow her talent in playing the flute.

Every time I’m impressed with a group of kids that are willing to put themselves out there, try hard to master something difficult and play their best.

It would be easier not to try. To skip the whole thing. To not submit themselves to practice and the possibility of not playing well.

But they do it. They stick with it and do their best.

The same goes for all of us. It would be easier not to show up for those we love and our coworkers and clients.

It would be less risky to not try at all.

But it’s worth it. For the kind of person it makes us.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/gHGNqifB2do

This video is a bit funky, but the message from Les Brown is a good one.

The line that struck me was “declare all-out war on the rut that you are in”.

Sometimes the only way forward from where you are is a period of all-out effort. A period where you pull out all the stops.

Is there something that’s been nagging at you for a long time that needs that kind of attention?

Have you been stuck in a rut and unable to quit that bad habit or start that new one?

If so, get started today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/pyHMRwrS1pc

You’ve got to be hungry!

Get that stuck in your head.

You’ve got to be hungry….for the good stuff.

Hungry for health and vitality….not junk food and ice cream.

Hungry for knowledge and wisdom….not TV and social media.

Hungry for relationship and love…..not gossip and division.

Hungry for financial freedom and independence….not stuff and comfort.

Hungry for challenge and responsibility….not ease and laziness.

Make it a great day.

Jake
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Real happiness is cheap enough, yet how dearly we pay for its counterfeit. – Hosea Ballou

Think about how dearly we pay for the fake versions of happiness.

All the material stuff.

All the wasted time.

All the health and vitality.

Spent in pursuit of fool’s gold – popularity, vanity, greed, temporary stuff (and other traps).

Take a moment to take stock and look at what you are paying for what you are getting.

Is it worth the cost?

Make it a great day.

Jake
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A daily attitude email from a few years ago…

We are little flames poorly sheltered by frail walls against the storm of dissolution and madness, in which we flicker and sometimes almost go outwe creep in upon ourselves and with big eyes stare into the nightand thus we wait for morning.

Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front

They are more to me than life, these voices, they are more than motherliness and more than fear; they are the strongest, most comforting thing there is anywhere: they are the voices of my comrades.

Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front

Ive been reading All Quiet on the Western Front lately (probably time for a break from the war stories). Its difficult reading.

These two quotes reminded me of the book.

One showing the madness that is war.

One showing the unique bonds forged in battle.

Im not sure about you, but I have a hard time with the whole maturity and not complaining thing.

Its all too easy to complain and moan about some small inconvenience in my life instead of being the mature, accountable, adult I should be.

But books like this tend to sober me up pretty well.

Ive got it pretty good compared to a rat infested trench a hundred yards or so away from people shooting at me with machine guns and trying to drop shells on my head..for months.

And those are the lucky ones.the unlucky ones are injured or dead.

And those are just the soldiers (thank God for soldiers).

What about the single mothers?

What about the cancer patients?

What about those with meaningful struggles of all kinds?

Im thankful for the stories of real struggles shared over the years. They put my little problems into perspective.

Ending my little pity parties doesnt seem quite noble enough an end for stories such as these, though, right?

In the end, I (and hopefully this is a we and Im not the only one, if its just me, somebody tell me quick) must honor the sacrifices and struggles of others by doing our best to leave this place better than we found it. To make a difference for others through service with love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/9rn43pLNtlY

Cinco de Mayo so it felt appropriate to send out a Spanish song to celebrate.

One of my favorite sayings from Meaghan is "God is an artist".

For some reason the creator of our universe decided to make it beautiful.

It includes colors, sights and sounds that we are designed to be delighted by.

He loves us so much He wants us to enjoy ourselves.

Search for joy today in all the colors of this beautiful world.

Make it a great day.

Jake