Winning Words 5/21/10
“Past and future are in the mind only. I am the now.” (Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj) After the loss of his wife and daughter this Indian spiritual teacher sought advice from his guru. “Concentrate on the present!” My step-father had the same philosophy, only he expressed it with more pedestrian words. I may (or may not) put them in the blog. We can’t change the past. The future hasn’t happened. Concentrate on now! ;-) Jack

FROM JACK: This is the saying my step-father would use. “Forget about yesterday, plan a little bit for tomorrow, and live like hell today”

FROM MO IN ILLINOIS: I like your Step-father's version! Like the saying "Today is a gift...that's why it is called the present". When you are in your 8th decade, you learn (Hopefully) to live each day as tho it were your last...one day it will be. If that is not too morbid! Our good friend Rusty is an undertaker with Bisch Funeral HOme, and when anyone would whine or complain, he'd point to the sign on his desk, "REMEMBER, Every Day Above Ground Is a Good One!" Helps to put things into perspective! FROM JACK: The real reality show.

FROM PRJS IN MICHIGAN: That makes us pretty one-dimensional people!!! FROM JACK: Now is the only time we have.

FROM LIZ IN ILLINOIS: My friend, John, studies different religions as one of his many hobbies. He's interested in and well-read in everything, it seems. Like you, Jack. The Hindis have many nice ideas about life.
FROM JACK: One of my favorite courses at Augie was Oriental Philosophy.

FROM JE IN MICHIGAN: This really hit me today. With this retirement incentive, there will be complete upheaval throughout the next year at work. I need to concentrate on today, now ,and not waste time worry about what will happen. You know the saying: "What have you done for me today?" I thank God for my faith and friends like you. FROM JACK: I like what my step-father said...earlier in this blog.
I remember this hymn that used to be sung.

1. Be not dismayed whate'er betide,
   God will take care of you!
   Beneath His wings of love abide,
   God will take care of you!
• God will take care of you,
  Through every day o'er all the way;
  He will take care of you;
  God will take care of you!
2. Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
   God will take care of you!
   When dangers fierce your path assail,
   God will take care of you!
3. All you may need He will provide,
   God will take care of you!
   Trust Him, and you will be satisfied,
   God will take care of you!

FROM MOLINER CF: Live for today, plan for tomorrow and learn from the past FROM JACK: Just like in school, some days we just aren't paying attention.

FROM CWR IN B'MORE: .........I would have liked your step-father. Cheers!

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: tried substituting "live like heaven today" but much prefer your step-father's words--he sounds like a very passionate man full of vim and vigor.

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or
not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly."— Buddha

FROM PRCJL IN OHIO: Remember what the coach of the KC Chiefs said: Yesterday is a cancelled check,
Tomorrow is a promisory note, Today is the only ready cash we have. FROM JACK: You can bank on it.