Winning Words 6/21/11
“I have failed many times, and that’s why I’m a success.” (Michael Jordan) There’s an Italian proverb with a similar thought. “He who never fails never grows rich.” All of this causes me to think about the meaning of these words…fail…success…rich. Babe Ruth once held the record (at the same time) for the most home runs and the most strike outs. Today, try to think of some other successful failures. ;-) Jack

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Failure at intimacy. The closeness I want to other human beings, animals, plants, God seems to have made me to yearn for and yet I fail each day and yet each day I'm a success because every day I grow in my faith in Jesus and what he has done for me and all others, especially that he is with me always.//// FROM JACK: The Greek word for, sin, means, "Missing the mark," as with...shooting at the target, but not hitting it. God offers us the forgiveness of sin...the ultimate success following the ultimate failure.

FROM RI IN BOSTON: I believe your own thoughts about the meaning of words imply what's significant about today's WW...how do words like "fail", "success", and "rich" apply to individuals? What affirms a failure? Is celebrity status proof of success? Does an excessive bank account certify a rich life? I think many of us are not as blatant as Michael Jordan in stating whether or not we're "a success".////FROM JACK: In the "world's" eyes MJ is considered to be a success. His quote seems to suggest some introspection, leading to a feeling that real life has failures, too. The words, "fail, success, rich, " have subjective meanings which are more relevant that the objective ones.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: "If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you." Steven Wright....(I couldn't resist!)////FROM JACK: Is "skydiving before 60" on your Bucket List?

FROM BLAZING OAKS: Edward Albee says, "If you're willing to fail interestingly, you tend to succeed interestingly..." An interesting point to ponder! How does one fail "interestingly"?! As to riches, "Get rich quick, count your blessings!" And that is the truth! I would imagine the saga of successful space travel involved much failure before success. Guidepost magazine had a good quote: "Patience is a virtue that carries a lot of "wait". Many who have finally succeeded had that virtue!!////FROM JACK: Thanks for your interesting response. in·ter·est    [in-ter-ist, -trist]
1. the feeling of a person whose attention, concern, or curiosity is particularly engaged by something: She has a great interest in the poetry of Donne.
2. something that concerns, involves, draws the attention of, or arouses the curiosity of a person: His interests are philosophy and chess.
3. power of exciting such concern, involvement, etc.; quality of being interesting: political issues of great interest.

FROM A GREEN BAY FAN: A quarterback named Favre – with record touchdown passes and record interceptions.////FROM JACK: Same guy....From fan adoration to fan disillusionment.