Winning Words 12/5/12
“When you make a mistake, there are only three things you should ever do about it: admit it, learn from it, and don’t repeat it.”  (Paul “Bear” Bryant)  I wonder if Nick Saban will ever replace “the Bear” as Alabama’s greatest football coach?  Bryant knew “football,” and also knew how to inspire his players.  He got his nickname, because he rassled a bear at age 13.  Today’s quote is about football…and also about life.    ;-)  Jack

 FROM WALMART REV:  Another good word for the beginning of our day!////FROM JACK:  Maybe you can begin the day by singing a song (What will it be?).   Jimmy Durante used to to say that the day goes better when you begin it with a song.  Through the magic of Google, you can hear his advice.
"You gotta start off each day with a song
Now even when things go wrong
You'll feel better, you'll even look better
I'm here to tell you that you'll be a go-getter
Now the way that you shake my hand
Will tell me how I stand
Now isn't it better to go through life with a smile and a song
Then walking around life with a face, 11 miles long
Now you know that you can't go wrong
If you start off each day with a song."
 ////REV:  "You can have a song in your heart in the night, after every mile, after every trial. Anyone can sing when the sun's shining bright; but you can have a song in your heart at night.  0;-)

 FROM SAINT JAMES:  I know people who never admit they made a mistake.  What's up with that? ////FROM JACK:  I don't think that those people ever played football for Bear Bryant.  BTW, I do know of  some people who are so confident of their opinions that they're not open to change.  As the saying goes, "They have minds that are like concrete...all mixed up and permanently set."

 FROM MY LAWYER:  Only time will tell.  Unlike comparing Ali to Marchiano, one can count the wins and losses in football and determine who was the best at winning.  I didn't know Bear Bryant, but he must have been a a cool guy.  I do know Nick, and he's not cool!  He focuses on football 24/7---that's his whole life.  Does he inspire?  I think he does.  His work ethic speaks for itself.////FROM JACK:  You're right.  It's difficult to compare one human being to another, because there are so many variables.  As far as being a good football coach, both Nick and Bear fall into that category.

 FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE:  Bear was a mean coach. Bill Baltzell, retired baseball coach at MHS, was a frosh on one of his teams. He was used for cannon fodder by the upperclassmen without regard to their condition. He left after his frosh year.////FROM JACK:  Even Jesus had his detractors.  I'm sure that there were more than a few detractors among those who played football with Bear as their coach.

 FROM IKE AT THE MIC:  I agree &  am wondering if you'd like to help me in changing  the wording of the Optimist creed stating "To FORGET the mistakes of the past to" To LEARN from the mistakes of the past"////FROM JACK:  Both are valid points.  It is good to learn from past mistakes.  It is also good to forget some of the mistakes of the past...and not dwell on them.

 FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  Great advice.  He was known to give a lot of great advice.  How in the world did he ever rassle a bear???////FROM JACK:  I have a daily calendar called, Ripley's Believe It or Not.  Maybe it should have a page for the Bryant "bear" story.