Friday, October 17, 2008

Jack’s Winning Words 10/17/08
“You lose, you smile, and you come back the next day. You win, you smile, and you come back the next day.”
(Ken Griffey, Jr) Junior is one of my favorite ball players. But his quote isn’t about baseball, it’s about life and how we deal with the ups and downs that come to all of us. Today, I’m putting on the blog (click below), part of an essay by a favorite writer of mine, Harry Golden. I hope you have time to read it. ;-) Jack

FOLLOW UP FROM JACK: The Show Must Go On (Harry Golden) I am indebted to Dr. Frank Kingdon for my interest in the poetry of Sir Rabindranath Tagore. The great Hindu poet tells us a story in exquisite poetry. His servant did not come in on time. Like so many philosophers and poets, Tagore was helpless when it came to the less important things in life, his personal wants, his clothes, his breakfast, and tidying up the place. An hour went by and Tagore was getting madder by the minute. He thought of all sorts of punishments for the man. Three hours later Togore no longer thought of punishment. He’d discharge the man without any further ado. It was midday. Without a word the servant proceeded with his duties as though nothing had happened. He picked up his master’s clothes, set to making breakfast, and started cleaning up. Tagore watched this performance with mounting rage. Finally he said it: “Drop everything, and get out.”
The man, however, continued sweeping and after another few moments, with quiet dignity he said: “My little girl died last night.”
The show must go on.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Quite a story....sad on many parts....both on a man's inability to take care of even the basic in his life, and of another man's choice to continue with his job even with the lose of his child. But, life is like that isn't it? We still get out of bed, still eat to stay alive, still work, still proceed with life. It's your attitude about what does happen everyday...whether normal or tragic or happy or sad. Us Christian's rely on God's blessings, mercy, grace and love to get us through...hopefully with a smile. But if not, He still gets us through. They're good Winning Words....I will smile today and tomorrow!

FROM MOLINER J.T.: Yes, Jack, the show must go on !!

FROM M.T. IN PA: Yes, indeed! I never put it so succinctly, but being a good-natured stoic has gotten me through some tough times. I read the essay snippet, too. You may recall that the sculpture I did in a library was called "Thoughts on Wings". The title came from a song that a college friend of mine wrote, the inspiration for which he credited to Rabindranath Tagore.

FROM R.M. IN MI: The message came thru today and was great. I look forward to this everyday. Starts me out on the right foot. Am trying to smile as I send this.

FROM MOLINER C.F.: Some people winn all of the time and some people lose all of the time but all people don't smile all of the time/ Abe Froelich

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

We'll be among the ones able to get through this day and also through everything the country is experiencing now. I thank you for helping us get perspective, Pastor Freed. Your work is helpful for keeping us focussed on who we are and why we're here, and why we don't despair but manage a smile.
Sharon

Anonymous said...

Griffey's comment applies to successful salespeople as well. If you lose the sale; you smile and contact the next prospect.

If you get the sale; you smile and contact the next prospect.