Winning Words 2/20/12
“Try not to become a person of success, but a person of value.” (Uncle Albert) In today’s world Abe Lincoln might not be elect--not enough successes--not photogenic. The people I’ve admired in my life have been those who had values. I’ve talked with educators about having a course where basic values would be taught and discussed. Ideally, such a course is taught in the home. Where did you learn? ;-) Jack

FROM JS IN MICHIGAN: A Lincoln can only be elected in a crisis.....otherwise we get _____ (fill in the blank). ////FROM JACK: Sometimes it's necessary to step back from a situation in order to appreciate value. Our first inclination is often to applaud success.

FROM SHARIN' SHARON: My parents were poor people, scraping out a living with little education but they first of all taught me values. By themselves, I might have lost all my training but it has been the faith community that bolstered and has helped me to have the courage to live the values my parents first of all taught me, which was respect for people no matter what the outside looks like. I'm very thankful to God for my parents and church and for people. Is Uncle Albert your real Uncle Albert?////FROM JACK: I never had an Uncle Albert, but I did have uncles and aunts, parents and a grandmother who taught me values.

FROM ANI IN WB: Our society doesn't value values anymore.We only give lip service to it.////FROM JACK: Every generation has had to work at establishing and living up to "a value system." The 10 Commandments were given as a set of values, and we are still working at living up to them. While present-day society has it's shortcomings, I'm pleased to know, personally, some folks who inspire me with their speaking and living a positive system of right and wrong.

FROM ILLINOIS LIZ: A kid first learns values @ home. But, as Hillary Clinton said, "It takes a village." ////FROM JACK: Hillary got her title from an African proverb, Ora na azu nwa, "It takes a village to raise a child." That idea, as expressed in the book, was well received. Since I grew up in Moline, my sense of values was shaped, in part, by that experience.

FROM MEDD-O-LANE: I was taught that success is not the opposite value but both should be equal to each other !////FROM JACK: Success is a matter of interpretation. Some of the most "successful" people I've known would not be considered successful, as judged by the world's standard. I suppose the same could be said with regard to the standard of value. On Antiques Road Show a woman brought in a carved rhinoceros horn that she bought for $1 at a flea market. It was appraised for over $350,000.

FROM RG IN ARIZONA: My parents were wealthy enough. We never had any want for anything. They focused on providing me an understanding of respect, ethical and moral understanding, and Christian Faith and principles. I learned that success doesn't necessarily mean a contradiction to these values. If Solomon were here maybe we could ask him!////FROM JACK: ...or, read the Book of Proverbs, attributed to Solomon...22:6.

ROM MY ATTORNEY: At home from my mom and dad; and from friends.////FROM JACK: Yes, and we also learn whether or not they have taken root when we have to make ethical decisions.

LG IN MICHIGAN SENT THIS RESPONSE TO MANY OF HER FRIENDS: Wow! I think this is a really great quote from my pal, Pastor Jack!! The world puts a lot of pressure on us to be "successful." And this success is often measured by how well we dress, coif, and smell... by how much stuff we accumulate... by how many credentials we amass or letters we can write after our names... But these are not what I most value. I measure my success at the end of my day by asking myself... Did I love others, especially the unlovely? Did I persevere with grace, if not patience, in the face of personal obstacles, trials, and annoyances? Did I refuse to take offense? Did I resist the powerful urge to promote myself, or to impose my will on others? Did I accept guidance and feedback from others with grace? Did I ask for help? Did I advocate for others, or confront ugliness, in the face of injustice? Did I respect others' boundaries, and respect and protect myself by setting a few of my own? Did I seek forgiveness and promote peace, acceptance, and community? Did I remember to look up? Did I recognize the gifts, blessings, privileges, grace, and miracles I received in my day and give thanks? Did I commune with my God through it all? If I can answer "yes" to most of these questions at the end of my day, then I feel successful...Hope you enjoy this "quote of the day as much as I did!////FROM JACK: I consider yours to be a value-able response, because it gives "body" to the bones of Uncle Albert's words.

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: I learned to learn at home.////FROM JACK: You and Honest Abe were home schooled.

FROM EMT SINGS IN MICHIGAN: I cannot actually say when or how. The closest I can come to it is from a little book I wrote myself (for my Mother's 90th birthday). This is taken from the Foreword I wrote: "It's been my good fortune to have been born in a simpler time. And to be born in the Midwest, who many consider to be a simpler place! But mostly, I am lucky because of the kind of family I was born into: hardworking, honest and with the tenacity to live through many hard times and be better off for them".////FROM JACK: And you were still learning from her during the last years that she spent in your home.

FROM ME IN NEWPORT BEACH: Still learning and have a good teacher in spouse, who I copy for both compliment and brownie points.////FROM JACK: All the teachers aren't in school.

FROM BLAZING OAKS: I read a quote the other day which I used in S.S. Sunday,: "It is what it is....but it will become what you make it". A little different twist on the old shoulder shrug, "It is what it is"... Paul Simon was an IL politician (Senator) who adhered to high Standards while serving in gov't. and was much respected and appreciated. He retired when he tired of the hassle of constantly having to raise funds to run again! His daughter Sheila Simon is active in IL government, and holds the same high priorities...in her office, she CUT their allotment of funds, to save IL further expenses. (We're worse than broke!) It is an inspiration, and shows the values taught at home, to begin with. I don't remember the exact quote of Sir Thomas Moore, in A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS, but it went something like this; "if you let one little drop of your moral values slip through your fingers, you are compromised, and it becomes easier and easier to lose you grip on all you hold dear". Not exact, but you get the idea...He was certainly a man of principle, and lost his head for it! I think the home, church and schools are to be credited for trying to teach good moral values, and acceptable manners, but the home has to support this, which too often does not happen, it seems.////FROM JACK: Illinois is known for some corrupt politicians., but the state has had its share of paragons. Simon was certainly one. Paul Douglas and Everett Dirksen come to mind...not to forget Lincoln.

FROM WATERFORD ANNE: Home by example; church and parochial grade and high school. One of our grandsons has a baseball/academic scholarship to Siena Heights. He was offered a few options including Carthage in Kenosha. He chose Siena Heights. It does not have the best team but he liked the environment. He has not been raised in the Church. I am thrilled that he will have this exposure. I do not preach but I pray. Mac, Tom,our grandson, his father and I had lunch today. We talked about the school. Tom said he would be studying religion. Pastor Freed, it all comes down to the ten commandments. If we could teach, understand and accept these, we would have the basic values. Anyway, I am excited that Tom will be studying religions; ours and others. Your WW fit in with our family lunch.////FROM JACK: In the Bible there's a verse..."Pray without ceasing." It's not about the length of time, it's about not giving up a concern for people, it's about not giving up on God. What an exciting time for you and your family.