"It’s never crowded along the extra mile." – Wayne Dyer

We feel a tremendous pressure to “fit in” and “be normal”.

We fall into the trap of “doing what everyone else is doing” only to find ourselves disappointed.

We try to be like “most people”.

Only to find out that:

“Most people” are overweight.

“Most people” are in debt.

“Most people” hate their job.

“Most people” are ruled by their stuff.

It’s taken me a long time to realize this, but I don’t want to be like “most people”.

And I don’t think you should either.

What is something you could start doing today to move away from trying to be like “most people”? What’s a small, positive step away from the crowd that makes sense for you?

Make it a great day.

Jake

Courage is the ladder on which all the other virtues mount. – Clare Boothe Luce

The good stuff of life requires courage.

Courage to stick with it.

Courage to stand against the crowd.

Courage to believe it will all work out in the end.

Be courageous. Climb the ladder to building the virtues that matter.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/kZf3Byq8oLA

Stevie Wonder amazes me.

He’s created so many great songs over such a long period of time.

He also had a lot of excuses as to why he could have given up or not pursued the greatness he was made for.

Stories like his are a great reminder that our excuses are really just that – excuses.

Make it a great day.

Jake

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

I try to think of this verse every day.

The point of this verse is that if you have filled yourself with the Spirit you will then bear this fruit.

It bears repeating – when we are filled with a proper attitude our lives will be characterized by the following: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Would those who know you best describe you like that?

Make it a great day.

Jake

It’s been feeling a little springish lately so I found this old daily attitude to send again.

A good laugh is sunshine in the house. – William Makepeace Thackeray

This is a great reminder for a spring day.

Let the sun shine in and the laughter abound today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Talent is like electricity. We don’t understand electricity. We use it. – Maya Angelou

Jim Rohn talks about how some people spend their time studying the roots when they could be picking the fruit.

Some of life is like this – it’s hard to understand why or exactly how it works, it just does.

Sowing and reaping.

Seeking and finding.

Giving and receiving.

Joy and suffering.

Love and selflessness.

The basic relationships seem straightforward by why it works one way one time and another the next remains a mystery.

You get to choose to have faith in the basic equations.

Make it a great day.

Jake

It is easier to prevent bad habits than to break them. – Benjamin Franklin

Another Ben Franklin quote goes something like – an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Jim Rohn talks about us taking the time to look a little ways down the road to see where our current habits are taking us.

What bad habit could you avoid starting this week?

What bad habit (or even indifferent habit) might lead to disaster in ten years?

Make the choice to look ahead a little and see what a good choice looks like.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/WTJSt4wP2ME

This song and video remind of videos I’ve seen in the past of churches in Africa.

It’s such a wake up call to see people celebrating God in such a meaningful way while living in huts with little to no “modern amenities”.

The “stuff” that we (or maybe just me) worry and stress about losing or being judged for not having or not having enough us is not what we actually need to find joy.

Find some joy today – joy in the important and real parts of your life – your family, friends, God, your health, etc.

Make it a great day.

Jake

I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another. – Thomas Jefferson

Doing good for others is good for us.

One of the little tricks of life is that doing the right thing usually (in the long run) adds value to our lives.

We are enriched by doing our best to serve others with love.

We are at our best when we think of others first.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Last night was the spring band concert at the junior high – starring our favorite 8th grader – Annie Davis.

Each time they play now as a band I’m reminded of their first band concerts in 5th grade. They really weren’t very good.

The difference between now and then is nothing short of remarkable.

Each time this group of junior high kids leaves me inspired to take on something new (or maybe anew) and work at it until I get better.

We all have the opportunity to get better at something.

Make it a great day.

Jake