Winning Words 12/5/11
“In life you have a choice: Bitter or Better? Choose better. Forget bitter.” (Mick Vujicic) Last week, in response to the poem, “Don’t Give Up,” I was sent a video about Mick Vujicic, an Australian, born without arms or legs. He’s become an inspiration and a motivator. I’ve used his words today to let us know that we have a choice, regardless of circumstances. A suggestion: Google “Mick Vujicic.” ;-) Jack

FROM SHARIN' SHARON: Googled. Filled with hope. What an example of faith, wisdom and courage for us Mick Vujicic is. As a person interested in how people choose to clothe themselves, I was interested in his clothing, he looks very straightforward and accepting of himself. Also filled with hope because so many people all around are also accepting--lots of people are choosing better. There is always, no matter what our condition, so much more that binds us together than separates us. Thanks for lifting us up this rainy Monday morning!!!!////FROM JACK: Yes, Vujicic faces a variety of problems associated with his physical being. We take so many things "for granted."

FROM CS IN WISCONSIN: These words are so true even when a person might not realize that he has chosen this path. I was at a cousin’s funeral over the weekend. Dale was a brilliant young man going off to college to be a dentist. Two weeks after his fall semester began he came down with spinal meningitis and encephalitis. His temps spiked up to 108 degrees despite being on ice beds. His brain was never the same and he could never live on his own again. In the beginning he was very frustrated and would walk for hours around the family dining table pleading with God to help him. He’d walk up to family or friend and say, “I am either going to hate you and thrust his fist within inches of your face or I’m going to like you and extend his hand to shake yours.” He never ever struck anyone. At his memorial his nieces and nephews spoke of their gentle giant uncle who taught them so many things about having a strong faith, helping others always, reading the Bible daily, enjoying whatever activity came up, to love the Twins, and he taught all 12 of them a bedtime prayer that he said every night after reading 3 or 4 devotional readings to them. The kids could still remember that prayer and they are now in their 40s and 50s. Dale was 73 years old and had outlived doctors expectations for him. Yes, Dale chose the better and forgot the bitter. Thanks for sharing a very timely quote.////FROM JACK: There are more Micks and Dales out there than we realize, and this world is a better place, because of them. How they can be better, instead of bitter, is amazing to me and an inspiration.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: He is wonderfully inspiring. We watched him on a program once. We always have choices. It's picking the correct one that makes all the difference. Today, we chose to be better.////FROM JACK: As we use the rear-view mirror, we are able to see what a difference our choices have made.

FROM TL IN MICHIGAN: I still enjoy starting the day with one of your quotes. It's surprising how often it relates to a current event in our lives.////FROM JACK: Jimmy Durante used to sing: "You gotta start off each day with a song." I wonder if it's possible to make each day's Winning Words into a song. One of those who's on the WWs' list is a songwriter.

FROM TAMPA SHIRL: How inspiring. Thanks.////FROM JACK: It's good to start out the day with something inspiring. Robert Schuller used to talk about how we can turn our "scars into stars." Edgar Guest wrote the poem..."I'd rather see a sermon, than hear one, any day."

FROM CZB IN COLORADO: I heard this guy on NPR he is truly inspiring. One of those guys that makes you wonder why you ever grouse.////FROM JACK: I liked the smile on his face...and his enthusiasm. He must have days when that doesn't happen. After all, he is human.

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: I wonder if Mick of Crocodile Dundee was named after him.////FROM JACK:
Source: (Australia) a Roman Catholic [19th century on, from Michael]. So...it probably means that both are Catholics, with their birth name being, Michael. Your wondering days are over!

FROM FOXY ROXY: Mick is amazing isn't he!! Have seen him on TV several times.////FROM JACK: What is it that makes a person handicapped?

FROM BLAZING OAKS: Our young people were SO impressed with him at the Baptist Youth National gathering in Colorado two years ago. He is awesome. We have man in our church, Jim Solenberger, who was born with CP. Talks with great effort, and is hard to understand, can't walk, his hands refuse to do what he wants them to do, etc. Yet he earned a master's in Library Science from U. of IL (his devoted mother lived on campus with him) and worked at the State Library for 34 years, retiring in August. Toodles around town in a motorized scooter. My son Fred's boy Aaron James is named after him, and he spent Thanksgiving here with the family. He is such an inspiration. Intelligent mind, but very handicapped body. He chose better!! We are humbled by his courage.////FROM JACK: Some people I know, once had a pastor who had no arms. When he came to dinner at their home, he would eat, using his feet (after putting gloves on them). The kids were fascinated.