The gain is not the having of children; it is the discovery of love and how to be loving. – Polly Berrien Berends

What if love was the whole point?

Not procreation or evolution or doing all the chores so the parents don’t have to (it’s been great to pull that line on the kids).

The point is to learn to love and be in love so that we can be closer to the natural state of our souls when they were designed by God.

This is probably too philosophical and too deep for me and the daily attitude email.

Maybe it’s not the whole point – but it sure seems to be one of the main ones.

Make it a great day.

Jake

I try not to think too hard, take a deep breath and jump. I’ve failed enough in life and work that I no longer have rigid attachments around outcomes. The things that don’t work out were never meant to happen.

—Amanda Chantal Bacon, founder, Moon Juice

This quote from the article below paints a great picture of faith.

Faith that it will all work out in the end.

Faith that even though it doesn’t work out my way, it still worked out.

I especially liked her idea of “no longer having rigid attachments around outcomes”.

Focusing in on the journey instead of holding on to some preconceived notion of what the outcome should be is a great step towards less stress and more happiness.

Where could you use a little more faith?

Where should you let go of your rigid attachments to outcomes?

Make it a great day.

Jake

If you want to read a couple more good quotes on being fearless, here is the entire article:

http://www.success.com/article/top-of-mind-4-bold-habits-to-make-you-fearless

Daily attitude email from years past….gotta love Kid President.

https://youtu.be/m5yCOSHeYn4

It’s interesting to think about the majority of this list….

I’m sorry.

I forgive you.

Thank you.

We get lost in the hustle and bustle of the day, fighting to “get ours” and we forget simple, pleasant interactions and phrases that make a difference.

One of my biggest disappointments is when I let myself get so rushed and hurried that I forget to “chat up” the service people I meet along the way.

When I didn’t even say please or thank you to the waitress, then I know I’ve got to slow down.

Life isn’t about me and my rush.

Life is about my contribution to the lives of those I interact with.

If I’m not even slowing down enough to be nice and pleasant, then I’m getting it wrong.

Slow down a little today. Pick something from the list from Kid President and make sure it gets said today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – 18. Here is a surprise corndog I bought you because you’re my friend.

https://youtu.be/wB9YIsKIEbA

I’m a believer.

That it will all work out in the end.

That it’s worth it.

That love will win out.

That God’s love is for everyone.

That joy and peace are available to all of us.

That you were made on purpose for a purpose.

Make it a great day.

Jake

I’ve sent this out a few times already….you’d think I wouldn’t need the reminder as much as I do.

"Slow Me Down Lord"

Slow me down Lord. Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind.

Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal march of time. Give me amid the confusion of the day, the calmness of the eternal hills.

Break the tension of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music of the singing streams that live in my memory.

Help me to know the magical restoring power of sleep.

Teach me the art of taking MINUTE vacations, Of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog, to read a few lines of a good book.

Slow me down Lord and inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil of life’s enduring values that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny.

Author: Wilfred A. Peterson

Make it a great day.

Jake

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Reminder for the day – love makes the difference. Makes it all worthwhile. Makes it all work.

Make it a great day.

Jake

“A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things-a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty.”

― John Grogan, Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog

Yesterday our little family picked up a puppy.

Everybody smiled and laughed and cuddled the little bundle of fur.

Reading “Marley and Me” a few years ago told the story of dog ownership so well.

Dogs have been bred to relate to humans in a very distinct and unique way. We fall in love with them so easily because they seemingly love us back so effortlessly as well.

We give them names and treat them as members of the family.

We forgive their missteps and accidents.

We clean up after them and dote on them as if they were one of our kids.

In return, they provide companionship and love, in one its purest forms.

If we pay attention, there are some good life lessons in there for us to pick up on along the way.

Make it a great day.

Jake

You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club. – Jack London

Jim Rohn talks about discipline being the ultimate virtue, as it unlocks so many other opportunities.

This quote is a reminder that we can’t wait around for life to come and inspire and motivate us. We can’t wait for the brilliant idea or perfect opportunity.

I think Jim Rohn was talking about this very idea when he described discipline as the most important virtue.

Only when we have the discipline to continually pursue growth and change do we get the inspiration we desired at the beginning.

We fall into the trap of thinking that when the inspiration comes along we will have the motivation to develop the discipline.

It’s just not true.

The time to start developing discipline is today.

Begin with something small.

Drink water instead of something sugary.

Skip the drive through for coffee and save the money and brew your own.

Pick up the dirty clothes on the floor instead of waiting for your spouse to do it.

Make the bed.

Eat a healthy lunch.

Get started.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/AKec3LTILRU

Maggie gets credit for picking this one.

Never been a country music fan, but the lyrics on this one are full of that good ol’ country wisdom.

This song reminds us that life sure does go by quickly.

And that we need to make the most of it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

One of my favorite mental images is one I heard about on a podcast from Rick Warren.

On the podcast, Rick describes God sitting on the end of the bed in the morning, looking at each and every one of us and saying “I can’t wait to see their face, to see what they are going to do today…”.

This image provides a lot of peace and positive energy for myself, to be sure.

But for me, this image is most helpful when thinking of others.

No matter who the person is and how good or bad I may deem them to be, God is sitting at the end of their bed each morning, looking for the best in them with love.

It’s easy to get frustrated with others. To get upset with those that don’t agree with you. To be disappointed with those that don’t meet your expectations.

I find it helps to think of these people as that quiet, sleeping bundle of potential seeking their own way in this world to be loved and to love.

When we can think of others in this light, we open ourselves up to look for the good in them.

We open ourselves up to love and be loved in a better way.

Make it a great day.

Jake