Winning Words 11/14/11
“Happiness depends more on how life strikes you than on what happens.” (Andy Rooney) If someone were to ask me to define, “curmudgeon,” I’d say, “Andy Rooney.” I guess at age 92, you’re entitled to be a crusty crab and griper. I always looked forward to his 5 minute-commentary at the end of 60 Minutes. He struck me as one who sensed some of the issues that bugged me. I’ll miss him for that. ;-) Jack

FROM PRJS IN MICHIGAN: That kind of statement might make sense right now; however, think of 14th century Europe....black plague, hundred years war, peasant's rebellion, power hungry aristocracy, corrupt church.....hard for peasants to smile in the midst of some of that.////FROM JACK: What do people mean when they look back on "the good old days?" "Into each life some rain must fall," whether it be in the 14th or 21st centuries. Today strikes me as a happy day.////MORE FROM JS: Today and in this place...the world is great....for folks in Somalia....not so good////FROM JACK: You're right. But, turn over any stone," and there are little Somalias, even in our community. Elton John sang about sharing sadness:

Guess there are times when we all need to share a little pain
And ironing out the rough spots
Is the hardest part when memories remain
And it's times like these when we all need to hear the radio
`Cause from the lips of some old singer
We can share the troubles we already know

Turn them on, turn them on
Turn on those sad songs
When all hope is gone
Why don't you tune in and turn them on

They reach into your room
Just feel their gentle touch
When all hope is gone
Sad songs say so much

If someone else is suffering enough to write it down
When every single word makes sense
Then it's easier to have those songs around
The kick inside is in the line that finally gets to you
and it feels so good to hurt so bad
And suffer just enough to sing the blues

Sad songs, they say
Sad songs, they say
Sad songs, they say
Sad songs, they say so much

FROM SHARIN' SHARON: Andy Rooney was a favorite of mine too. He could take something like 20 different brands of toothpaste on the store shelves, all claiming to be the newest and best and help us see how an alien would see it, and help us see ourselves. Kind of a truth-talking to all the narcisistic media advertizing that constantly bombards us. Actually, he always made me happy.////FROM JACK: He probably wouldn't make you happy, if you asked him for an autograph.

FROM MT IN PENNSYLVANIA: Another perspective in similar vein, from Irving Berlin: "Life is 10% what you make it, and 90% how you take it." ////FROM JACK: Those are pretty good odds. Two of his songs that express this thought are: "Blue Skies" and "Isn't This a Lovely Day?"

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: How life strikes you...really? Hmmmmm////FROM JACK: See! The Winning Words are striking you in a puzzling way today.

FROM JB IN WISCONSIN: I think many of us will miss him.////FROM JACK: Sooner or later, we'll all make the obituary page....some with bigger headlines than others.

FROM RI IN BOSTON: Over those 92 years, Andy Rooney sensed some of the "pet peeves" or issues that bugged many of us, and it always felt good knowing that someone else disliked such things too. Regarding "happiness depending on how life strikes you," I'm not always pleased with how life strikes, but somehow the feeling prevails that there's a well of strength for me to tap and get through the situation.////FROM JACK: The cartoonist sometimes shows a character striking his head with an open hand to indicate..."Now, I get it."

FROM IKE AT THE MIC: In my opinion, happiness depends more on how you "optimistically" strike BACK & not on how life strikes you..in baseball when you're pitched a tough serve & you hit a home run you're looked upon as a winner!..////FROM JACK: Some people are disappointed in life, because they believe that winning is the ONLY thing.

FROM CJL IN OHIO: I'll miss him for his keen sense of observation of the things surrounding him....and the way he could put into words what I felt. A true "writer"