Winning Words 3/28/11
“Optimism doesn’t mean everything is going to be great. It means that we can respond to
everything with greatness.” (Elimelech Goldberg) “Kids Kicking Cancer” uses Karate as a way of helping children “face” their illness. Rabbi G has developed the program in tribute to his daughter. It’s not always easy to take the negatives of life and turn them into a positive. “K-K-C” shows that it can be done. ;-) Jack

FROM LG IN MICHIGAN: Nice image! God bless Rabbi for his insight! FROM JACK: When 2-yr-old Sara was in pain and dying of cancer, she would pat her father (Rabbi G) and say, "It's OK, Daddy, I love you." In her honor, he discovered a way to ease the pain of young sufferers...practicing Karate. Many, many have benefitted from Kids Kicking Cancer.

FROM JO IN MICHIGAN: That's a good one...you know how I feel about the power individuals have to make their perspectives positive or negative...it's amazing how much power to cope lies within ourselves... FROM JACK: It just takes one.

FROM MOLINER CF: Optimism is the next rung on the ladder. FROM JACK: You have caused me to think....What's the difference between being positive and being optimistic?

FROM BLAZING OAKS: Did he lose his daughter to cancer? If so, he certainly brought something good out of that!! "In all things God is working together for good, to those who love Him..." We never get over being a parent, no matter how old our kids grow, and when they hurt, we hurt!! Optimism is a gift, that is for sure, and your faith helps you to be positive in most situations. Hopefully, we make a conscious effort to respond with "greatness"! Good words to keep with us on a daily basis. Thank you! FROM JACK: It's one thing to read the story of the little girl in a book or on the computer screen. It's a different feeling to hear her father talk in person about her. Although her death happened over 20 years ago, it was "fresh" in his mind. That's the way it is with a parent.

FROM ILLINOIS LIZ: I recall when you first wrote about KKC-- how many "facilities" does the rabbi utilize? This would be such a wonderful program at Ys across the country. (The Y has dropped the "Christian" and "Men's/Women's" part, tho that shouldn't matter to anyone anymore.) There are kids in every city who have cancer, live near a Y, and would benefit from this great idea. The kids might become interested in other Y programs, in addition to the Y's being able to add new programs for sick kids. Thanks for passing my idea along! FROM JACK: Yes, I did pass your idea along to Rebbi G, and although I haven't had a response, so far, I know that he will consider your suggestion. I spent many of my formative years going to the Y and also working there. Although they are now being referred to, simply as, the Y. The MCA is still in their official name. When my son lived in a Jewish area of New Jersey, the Y was the YMHA...H, for Hebrew.

FROM TAMPA SHIRL: These people need a lot of prayers. FROM JACK: The rabbi saw a need and sought to do something about it. Not to denegrate prayer, but is there some need that has my name on it?

FROM BS NEAR ORLANDO: How about responding to someone's idea with enthusiasm?