Winning Words 8/31/12
“Yet, taught by time, my heart has learned to glow for other’s good, and melt at other’s woe.”  (Homer)  I imagine that the average person is more familiar with the words of Homer Simpson than they are with this quote from the great Greek philosopher, Homer, who lived about 850 BC.  I chose to use his words today, because they describe what it means to be sympathetic.  We need more people like Homer.    ;-)  Jack

 FROM SHARIN' SHARON:  Especially appreciate the start "taught by time". We can become wiser over the years. Appreciate Homer's testimony.////FROM JACK:  I sometimes have a hard time vizualizing people from ancient history as "real" people.  Homer was real, just like us.  Homer Simpson is not real.

 FROM MICHIZONA RAY:  It was the theologian and philosopher Kierkegaard who noted that all understanding comes through reflection, while Life itself moves one forward. One must "look back" or inward, as Homer suggests, to gain meaning for that which we move forward into. I think both Homer and Kierkegaard are accurate in their experiential descriptions. Maybe we need to keep our eyes open and forward-looking while not losing sight of our footprints! Like our mothers had, we need "eyes in the back of our heads" too!////FROM JACK:  We may not have eyes in the back of our head, but we do have a marvelous brain which allows us to process all sorts of information and to learn from from what we experience.  We are even able to learn from both Homers.

 FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  How true. It was interesting last night to hear from two of the families that Romney had helped through their serious medical problems with their children.  In our neighborhood today we have had the men  build a ramp for our neighbor who cannot walk who has cancer but who loves to be outside to walk and to talk to everyone.////FROM JACK:  These words of Jesus catch my attention:  "Inasmuch as you have done/not done it unto the least of these, you have done/not done it unto me."

 FROM BBC IN ILLINOIS:  This is quite beautiful.  Thank you for sharing.  Do you think either of our candidates are glowing or melting?////FROM JACK:  I've finally come to the conclusion that it's better to concentrate on what the parties do or do not stand for that should guide my voting decision; it's not about the "face" of the candidate.  It sort of reminds me of the man behind the curtain in The Wizard of Oz.////BBC:  Absolutely; there was a great article in Bloomberg businessweek (last week) which appeared echoed in the Economist and in Fortune that it does not matter who gets elected in terms of the economy.  If they are able to bring their plans to fruition, spending will be viritually the same, within 2-3%, they will just spend, spend, spend on different things.

 FROM BLAZING OAKS:  I would not be one who knows the words of Homer Simpson at all, but these words from the REAL Homer do "ring a bell"... The key words would be "with time". As we age, we become (hopefully) less self-centered, and more people-centered, and  rachet up our compassion level.  The "glow" and the "heart-ache" define us as caring  Christians.  Excellent WW, and who cares if you got Lady Gaga's birthdate wrong!? Deal with it! ////FROM JACK:  So, evidently, you haven't read, "The Gospel According to the Simpsons?"  Asked by his son, Bart, what his religious beliefs are, Homer answers, "You know, the one with all the well-meaning rules that don't work in real life. Uh, Christianity."

 FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  Like.////FROM JACK:  AWSM

 FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  We need more caring loving people, not just people who talk the talk but don't walk the walk.////FROM JACK:  The song, "I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked," can have more than one meaning.

 FROM CL IN MICHIGAN:  Amen,  a whole lot more!!!!!!FROM JACK:  I don't think you mean more episodes of The Simpsons.  You probably mean...a lot more people who are sympathetic to people in need.

 FROM HONEST JOHN:  He didn't seem overly concerned about the plight of the Trojans////FROM JACK:  Thanks for getting me to reread my Greek history.  I've always liked the strategy of the Trojan horse.  I see that some historians say that it was not a horse at all, but a battering ram that was somewhat like a horse.  Another account says that it was a metaphor for a destructive earthquake.  Regardless, the passing of time often obscures the truth.  As for Homer....using the words from Jesus Christ, Superstar.....  "He's a man   He's just a man   And I've had so many   Men before   In very many ways   He's just one more."  John, you always make my day interesting.