Winning Words 8/26/09
“I’m a big believer in “the mirror test.” All that matters is if you can look in the mirror and honestly tell that person that you’ve done your best.” (John McKay) A follow up to this is a poem, The Man In The Glass, by Dale Wimbrow. A friend once explained to me how mirrors work. Fascinating! But what mirrors “show and tell” is even more fascinating. Study one today. ;-) Jack

THE MAN IN THE GLASS

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass.
The fellow whose verdict counts most in you life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum
And think you’re a wonderful guy.
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

He’s the fellow to please-never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear to the end.
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

FROM S.H. IN MICHIGAN: Looked in the mirror, thought to that person honestly that I've done my best. Later I might talk out loud. Isn't there something in the Bible about seeing through a dim glass darkly or something? I've certainly wanted to feel that I've been doing my best at risking but not at all very certain that I've always done my best by communicating. The "mirror test" is more profound than at first look. FROM JACK: There's nothing wrong with talking out loud to that person in the mirror.

FROM HILLTOPPER JOHN: I'm a big believer in the God test....can you look at God and tell him that you've done your best....if you can, you are probably lying! FROM JACK: Just as I am, without one plea.....

FROM L IN ILLINOIS: Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" is my favorite song of his. Though written by a woman, the lyrics go, "I'm looking at the man in the mirror. I'm asking him to change his ways. No message could have been any glibber-- if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change." FROM JACK: We all leave this world with more that we could have done.

THE MAN IN THE MIRROR Song by Michael Jackson
I'm Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .
As I, Turn Up The Collar On My
Favourite Winter Coat
This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind
I See The Kids In The Street,
With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Pretending Not To See
Their Needs
A Summer's Disregard,
A Broken Bottle Top
And A One Man's Soul
They Follow Each Other On
The Wind Ya' Know
'Cause They Got Nowhere To Go
That's Why I Want You To Know
I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change
(Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,Na Nah)
I've Been A Victim Of A Selfish
Kind Of Love
It's Time That I Realize
That There Are Some With No
Home, Not A Nickel To Loan
Could It Be Really Me,
Pretending That They're Not Alone?
A Willow Deeply Scarred,
Somebody's Broken Heart
And A Washed-Out Dream
They Follow The Pattern Of
The Wind, Ya' See
Cause They Got No Place To Be
That's Why I'm Starting With Me
I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change
I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror

FROM MOLINER, G.S.: Have you read The Man in the Mirror, by Patrick Morley?

FROM GOOD DEBT JON: My prayers are with the Kennedy Family. I thought you'd have something on that this morning. I heard late last night as I was up late writing watching Fox FROM JACK: Tomorrow...I write my stuff the evening before it's sent out. Teddy was an easy target when focussing in on his past...but so are we all. On balance...I'll let God be the judge, and I believe that he will do so with grace, as is his promise.

FROM CJL IN OHIO: A corollary to this is: when you point a finger, don't forget that three are pointing back to you.

FROM RJP IN FLORIDA: I once helped my grandson get over a problem by starting every day looking in the mirror and telling himself . " You can handle anything today!!! You are capable.... you can be strong and confident" He made it through a new school and a few bullies by believing in himself in part talking to the mirror..............This is a good one

ROM J.G. IN MINNESOTA: After many, many years, we know the author of The Man In the Glass!! Mark used The Man In The Glass poem in his high school graduation speech. We never thought more about it for all of these years!!