Daily Attitude Email 09 28 22

“Finally, I wish to remember the millions of Allied servicemen and prisoners of war who lived the story of the Second World War. Many of these men never came home; many others returned bearing emotional and physical scars that would stay with them for the rest of their lives. I come away from this book with the deepest appreciation for what these men endured, and what they scarified, for the good of humanity. It is to them that this book {Unbroken} is dedicated,”

― Laura Hillenbrand, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption

They were called the Greatest Generation. They fought in the last (so far and hopefully) of the great wars our world has seen. They came home and built this country into something it had never been before.

It’s hard to imagine having that much grit and character to do what they did.

It seems like most people these days believe that things are headed in the other direction.

That life is surely going to be worse for the next generation and the generation after that.

The truth is that they might be right. If things don’t change, it will probably get worse.

Therein lies a glimmer of hope. Things can get better. There will be a next “greatest generation”.

There are good people out there using the lessons of history and all that we have learned to raise great kids. Not perfect, but great. There are families out there making the sacrifices and doing the hard work to create an opportunity for the next generation of their family to do and be better than the past.

It might not be this next one. I hope it doesn’t take another great war to create one. It might even never happen. But I hope it does. I hope this next generation or the one after it is one they write about a hundred years from now. With people sending emails (or whatever they’ll do then) talking about how amazing the Louis Zamperini’s of the world were. How they saved humanity from tyranny and the evil that almost devoured our world.

It happened once, surely it can happen again. If they can do it, we might as well try.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 09 27 22

“When he thought of his history, what resonated with him now was not all that he had suffered but the divine love that he believed had intervened to save him.”

― Laura Hillenbrand, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption

We watched the movie version of Unbroken over the last couple of nights. It’s hard to watch and imagine a human being having survived something like that.

The craziest part though is the end.

(spoiler alert)

After being tortured physically, Louis comes home and finds himself tortured psychologically. To the point where he can’t seem to live a normal life.

Until he encounters Christ at a Billy Graham revival event.

At this point, he finds the divine love that he believed had intervened to save him.

His relationship with Christ then allows him to not only live and be “normal” again, it allows him to forgive those who tortured and mistreated him.

I don’t know about you, but this sure convinces me that there is a higher power. I can’t imagine anything else that could create such a transformation in a human being.

Our hurts, trials and daily difficulties probably don’t equal that of a Japanese POW camp during WWII, but if we allow them, they torture us just the same. They can rob us of the life of joy and fulfillment that is possible for us.

I’m pretty sure that every day after that first encounter at the Billy Graham tent wasn’t perfect for Louis. I’m sure he had at least one or two rough days after that. But, on the whole, and in the long run, he was able to find peace, joy and fulfillment. The same will be true for us. Life will continue to be difficult whether we’ve found Christ or not. But if we accept His invitation, we too can find peace, joy and fulfillment in spite of and in the face of those difficulties.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 09 22 22

A good husband makes a good wife. – John Florio

Meaghan is soooo lucky, isn’t she?

Probably a better version – a good wife makes a good husband.

The important relationships in our lives all work this way.

Our job is to be the best coworker, husband, wife, partner, vendor, customer, etc. that we can be. In doing so we create the opportunity for the other side to be their best as well.

Our part is to do our part. No one else’s. To play our role the best we can.

If we do, others tend to mostly do the same.

Not all the time. Not even close to perfectly.

They still mess up. They fall short. They disappoint. Our hearts get broken.

If we stick with it. If we play our part with all we’ve got. It tends to work out.

I can’t promise you won’t get taken advantage of. I can’t promise that if you’re a good wife your husband will turn good.

I am willing to bet that you’ll be better off if you do your best to play your part.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – Meaghan is the best wife.

Daily Attitude Email 09 21 22

Today marks the 12th anniversary of the daily attitude email.

A lot of life has happened in the last 12 years.

People have come on and off the list.

A pandemic happened.

Life has changed for so many of us.

But the idea of adding a little positivity to start your day seems more relevant to me and my life than it did all those years ago.

Building a daily discipline of at least trying to be positive and thoughtful about others isn’t easy, but it was worth it.

My sincere hope is that sometimes this email helps you. That your life is at least marginally better for having read it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 09 20 22

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart. – Helen Keller

Any quote from Helen Keller reminds me of the miracle it was for anyone to have been able to communicate with her at all.

The amount of diligence and perseverance required to get to that point was simply astounding.

It sure puts my everyday struggles into perspective.

Take inspiration in what is possible for you.

Take heart and know that better is available.

Take action and begin to make it true.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 09 19 22

Because too many times in life there’s just one person that I met, just one thing that I heard, one movie that I saw, one song that was sung, that changed my life. So I’m always trying to stay awake to be in the moment, and capture the moments when they come, because they come and go all the time. – Mike Singletary

Last night I was lucky enough to get to see Mike Singletary speak at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes event.

He shared a few thoughts that I’m glad I was there to here and hopefully awake enough in the moment to remember and apply.

Don’t hide. Don’t let your talents and life go by hidden away and not shared with the world.

Have fun. Joy should be a central theme in our lives (especially for those of us who are Christians).

Be consistent. Walk the line of the path for your life. Don’t get distracted or give up.

Be authentic and real in your relationships and interactions with those in your life.

I’m sure there was more that I missed, but it was meaningful that he made the time to come and speak to us and I’m thankful for him and his contribution to my life.

Make it a great day.

Jake