“I live in the Managerial Age, in a world of "Admin." The greatest evil is not now done in those sordid "dens of crime" that Dickens loved to paint. It is not done even in concentration camps and labour camps. In those we see its final result. But it is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voices. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the office of a thoroughly nasty business concern."

[From the Preface]

― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

In The Screwtape Letters, CS Lewis writes as Uncle Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood. The letters are his advice on life as a “tempter” or “demon” and how best to ruin the life of the “patient” he is assigned to.

This excerpt from the preface shows some of what CS Lewis thinks about the possible evil in our world.

He tells us what we should be wary of as modern office workers and business people. We’ve seen this happen in our society as some businesses have chosen to prioritize profits and shareholder value above all else. Many lives have been ruined “by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voices.” Many in our society are unhappy with their work and their workplace as a result.

Our opportunity lies in heading the other direction. To put people first. To consider what’s most important and to firmly plant those values above others.

We can create a workplace and business where people get filled up. Where they move closer to their best self. Where they move closer to God.

We can build relationships that lead to a life filled with meaning and purpose. Where value freely moves and all involved end up better for having been involved.

That seems worth getting out of bed in the morning to me.

Who’s in?

Make it a great day.

Jake

Resending the toe tapper from last year before Easter….

https://youtu.be/sIaT8Jl2zpI

You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

And you say I am held when I am falling short

And when I don’t belong, oh You say I am Yours

And I believe (I)

Oh, I believe (I)

What You say of me (I)

I believe

The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me

In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity

Easter is a reminder of what God really thinks of you.

He sent His son to die on the cross to set things right for you.

He looked across time and space and at all of your foibles, mistakes and selfishness and send His son to die for you.

I hope this thought brings you hope, peace and joy this Easter.

I hope that the cares and trials of this world melt away in the face of this awe-inspiring series of events.

I hope that you can let go of your insecurities and anxieties and give them all to your Father in heaven.

Happy Easter.

Jake

“I wish I had never been born," she said. "What are we born for?" "For infinite happiness," said the Spirit. "You can step out into it at any moment…” – C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce

What if this were true?

What if we were born for infinite happiness (CS Lewis generally uses joy instead)?

What if the door would open if we would knock?

What would it look like in your life if you opened yourself up to joy?

Make it a great day.

Jake

If you’re going through hell, keep going. – Winston Churchill

Two reminders in one here.

First – have a bias towards action. Nothing changes until you do.

Second – if you don’t like where you are, you’ve got to change something.

Make it a great day.

Jake

"Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime."

– Martin Luther King Jr.

Easter is also a great time to think about all the good of spring.

Spring represents new life and opportunity.

Make the most of this time of renewal.

Renew your spirit, body and mind.

Spend time outside.

Plant something.

Read something inspiring.

Go for a long walk or run.

Make it a great day.

Jake

It’s the world, dear. Did you expect it to be small? = Mrs. Beaver from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

This is one of my favorite lines from the movie.

One of the main characters, Peter, had just been complaining about how far they still had to go on their journey.

Mrs. Beaver’s quote is a great reminder – changing the world isn’t easy. It’s not small.

As you seek out purpose and the place where you can be of greatest value, don’t expect it to be small.

There is greatness within you.

You were built to change the world.

It’s going to be tough, but you got this.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/A3yCcXgbKrE

More of a slow tapper, but a band played this yesterday when we were in New Orleans.

Vacations are a good reminder of how wonderful this world can be.

Getting to see other areas of the country and meet people who live, talk and act a little bit different can be eye opening.

For instance, maybe us Northerners could learn to slow down a little from our friends in the South.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Avoid popularity; it has many snares, and no real benefit. – William Penn

I would guess that if you asked 10 people if popularity was important to them at least 7 or 8 would say – no, not even close.

But if you asked them how they decide what to wear, who to hang out with, what to drive, where to live and some of the other important decisions in life – maybe, just maybe, popularity had an undue influence.

That is the trap.

We start to think of what other people will think before asking questions like – Does this line up with my values? Or What is my real goal here?

We’re wise enough to dismiss the concept of popularity but get muddled up on the small (and sometimes big) stuff.

I don’t have the answer here, just a friendly reminder to avoid the trap.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Spending a little time in the South over the last few days has reminded me of the ideas of this daily attitude email from a few years ago.

The soul that is within me no man can degrade. – Frederick Douglass

I’ve been listening to “Twelve Years A Slave” lately in the car and the stories of slavery in the South are brutal, shocking, uplifting, heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time.

The stories remind me again of the soul within each of us that no man can degrade.

It’s also a great reminder of the part we have yet to play today in this saga as old as time.

How do we treat others?

How do we show kindness and love and grace in all circumstances and to everyone?

How do we stand up for the downtrodden and forgotten among us?

Most of us won’t be faced so directly with something as cruel and inhumane as slavery.

But we do have a chance to be a little nicer to someone in need.

To judge a little less harshly those around us.

To give and support generously to those organizations working for those who need it in our community locally and abroad.

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

Accidentally sent out two daily attitude emails yesterday….oops.

I make mistakes every day.

And I’m pretty sure you’ve made a mistake or two along the way.

Doing something creates the chance (certainty?) that you’ll make a mistake.

And doing something trumps doing nothing.

The real risk lies in not doing anything.

Make it a great day.

Jake