Jack’s Winning Words 11/10/08
“A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his goals.” (Larry Bird) Bird wasn’t the smoothest of players, but he could really play basketball. A winner doesn’t always have to be a star. Each of us has something we do well. “It isn’t by size that you win or you fail—Be the best of whatever you are.” ;-) Jack

FROM R.I. IN BOSTON: My follow-up to Larry Bird's quote would be that the really important thing is WHAT goals were accomplished. MORE: I attach low level importance to sports-oriented goals (most RBI's, yardage gained, points scored, etc.). My admiration is to those players who encouraged or convinced young people to stay in school and graduate, to avoid gang life and drug abuse, to cherish team participation, etc.My problem with Bean-town fans is that achievement means to win win win win win. Or as that famous somebody (I'll bet you know who it was) said, "Winning isn't everything...it's the ONLY thing." JACK'S RESPONSE: Vince...but that statement of his was only meant to motivate his players. His life and his faith showed something else, Of course, enigma could be a middle name for all of us. We all have talents of one sort or another. If it's playing basketball, then use that talent to the best of your ability; if it's drawing lines on a paper, use that talent to the best of your ability; if it's leading a congregation of people, use that talent to the best of your ability. Remembering that we all sin and fall short.....

FROM MOLINER C.F.: Don't kid yourself. Larry was smooth as they come. He just looked awkward.

FROM PR F.M. IN WI; Try every day - I have learned that a task to do should be done well, not quickly