The secret to change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. – Socrates
This is a great idea when you are stuck on getting started on something.
Focus all your attention on the first, smallest step – and take it.
So much creating the good life happens by crowding out all the bad stuff.
Keep focused on the positive and keep moving towards it.
The rest will fall into place.
Make it a great day.
Jake
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. – Aristotle
So much of our maturity lies in the decision we make between the moment we have a thought and whatever happens next.
Do we accept or reject it?
Do we act on it or let it pass?
Do we believe it and accept it as part of our identity?
Do we weighs its pros and cons?
What thoughts might need a little closer examination?
Thoughts like….
Its only this one small thing….what difference does it make.
I’m unlikeable/unlovable and that explains….
I don’t have time to….
One more day and then I’ll start….
It’s their fault that…..
If only he/she would…..
If I had more money/time I’d…..
Our minds are a fertile garden, growing whatever is planted. Habitual thoughts get planted, deeply and consistently. If we’d like a garden filled with joy, peace, love, etc. then we must plant carefully.
Make it a great day.
Jake
A toe tapper from a few years ago on Veterans Day.
Last night I watched the last of the “Band of Brothers” HBO series.
The last line really stuck with me.
They ended with interviews with the actual veterans.
The last one told the story of his grandson asking if he had been a hero in the war.
“No, but I served with some.”
Wow. It takes a lot of character to conduct yourself like that.
We should all be proud of the legacy left by the great men and women in our armed forces and those who are currently serving.
Thank a veteran today.
Make it a great day.
Jake
“When a resolute young fellow steps up to the great bully, the world, and takes him boldly by the beard, he is often surprised to find it comes off in his hand, and that it was only tied on to scare away the timid adventurers.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
This is a great description of our fears.
A scary looking man with a fake beard that immediately becomes a farce when confronted.
Think about what is holding you back from reaching your goals.
What are you afraid of?
Afraid of failure?
Afraid someone might laugh at you?
Afraid someone won’t like you anymore?
Afraid of losing control?
Afraid that it might actually work?
Take the first step today. Take the step through your fears.
Make it a great day.
Jake
The Powerball is up to around $2 billion.
I’m not a lottery player, but when it gets this high it is hard not to think about what you would do with all the money.
Jim Rohn talks about the idea of becoming a millionaire before you get the million dollars. Or else you won’t handle the money very well.
Stories have been written about the lottery winners whose lives have been ruined.
It’s easy to be tempted to think of the extravagances and exotic purchases you could make with all that money, but that fun wouldn’t last.
The important stuff is available without the $2 billion.
Health.
Relationships.
Knowledge.
Wisdom.
Honesty.
Joy.
Peace.
Grace.
Love.
$2 billion might even make some of those harder.
Thanksgiving comes before Christmas for a good reason – thankfulness is a great place to start when tempted to fall into wanting and focusing on “more” and “stuff”.
I know I’m going against the grain here but my sincere wish for all of you is that you get all the stuff from the list above and maybe the lottery goes to someone else.
Make it a great day.
Jake
This quote and daily attitude email from the past pop into my mind frequently when it feels like there is room for improvement and change is in the air…
“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of – throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”
― C.S. Lewis
This year so far feels like we are going through some growing pains at the businesses. Processes aren’t perfect and growth causes those imperfections to manifest themselves in mistakes or missed expectations.
This quote reminds me of our growth as individuals.
At first changing seems like a good idea. Even as something we would welcome.
Then it takes on a life of it’s own.
Some of our cherished stories about ourselves and the world need to come down. We have to become uncomfortable.
In the case of a Christian life – this takes on the perspective of eternity. We are building our forever selves. A version of ourselves that is meant to commune with God in eternal happiness.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better. – Albert Camus
Great reminder for a Monday morning – today is a chance to be and do better. To make better choices that lead to better results.
To choose better thoughts.
To choose better actions.
To choose new habits.
To choose to let go of bad habits.
And the same is true for everyone we meet. We also have a choice as to what role we play in their journey.
Supporter? Detractor? Cheerleader? Coach? Accountability partner? Friend.
Make it a great day.
Jake
This is a great song and video showing the power we all have to help one another.
We were built for relationships.
Our lives are meaningful in the proportion to which we serve others in love.
We can literally save each other’s lives by serving and loving authentically.
The little snippets from this video tell the story of how small (and sometimes big) moments in our lives can have a profound influence on the lives of others.
We have that opportunity each and every day.
At work with our coworkers.
On the phone with a customer.
Tucking a little one in to bed.
Doing that extra little thing for our spouse.
We can and do make a difference in the lives of those around us. Embrace your impact. Lean into adding to that impact, each and every day.
Make it a great day.
Jake
If you would be loved, love, and be loveable. – Benjamin Franklin
We are born with a need to be loved.
This quote is a reminder of part of that equation.
We love those who show us love. Authentic love is often reciprocated.
We must also work on ourselves. To make ourselves more and more loveable as the years go by.
Good, honest, kind, patient, joyful, humble people are more easily loved.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone. – Gertrude Stein
Thanksgiving will be here before we know it.
Let’s not wait until then to tell those we love that we are thankful.
Saying it out loud is good for them and for us.
Jim Rohn talks about how gratitude opens up the doors and windows of life and lets the good stuff in.
Seems like a good plan to me.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Practical Steps for Friendship, Unity and Intimacy in Your Marriage
The Daily Attitude Email 