Winning Words 5/13/13
“Sweating kept me sane.”  (Jodi Sampson)  What to do?  A cancer diagnosis for her son and for herself.  Jodi decided to make two lists.  1) Things that stress me.  2) Things that make me happy.  She picked what made her feel good.  Running was on that list.  “I couldn’t control some things, but I could lace up my sneakers.”  The doctors said that it was good therapy.  Perhaps you have similar lists.  What make you happy?    ;-)  Jack

 FROM HONEST JOHN:  Every morning I look out the bathroom window toward the Midvale parking lot and there is a light there in the shape of a cross which pokes a hole in the darkness and reminds me that "It is well with my soul".====JACK:  Horatio Spafford wrote the hymn, "It  Is Well With My Soul'" after hearing that his four daughters had drowned in a ship wreck on the Atlantic.  His wife, who was with them, sent a telegram..."Saved alone..."  He began the hymn..."  When peace like a river, attendeth my way,  When sorrows like sea billows roll;  Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,  It is well, it is well, with my soul."

 FROM BLAZING OAKS:  YOU MENTION HORATIO SPAFFORD IN YOUR BLOG; AFTER HE LOST HIS FOUR CHILDREN, AND WAS REUNITED WITH HIS WIFE AFTER SEVRAL MONTHS OF ANXIETY (MY STORY READ  THAT A PONY EXPRESS RIDER DELIVERED THE NEWS "SAVED ALONE" IN HIS WIFE'S HANDWRITING, ON THE FLAP OF AN ENVELOPE, AFTER WAITING FOR MONTHS FOR NEWS OF HIS FAMILY) BUT ANYWAY THEY HAD ONE MORE LITTLE GIRL, WHO GREW UP TO BE A MISSIONARY NURSE IN ISRAEL, AND FOUNDED THE SPAFFORD CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL THERE...BILL AND I VISITED IT WHEN WE TOURED THE HOLY LAND, BECAUSE I KNEW THE STORY OF "IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL"!!====JACK:  Another of the interesting stories for your book!

 FROM MICHIZONA RAY:  Truly, I am happy when I choose happiness...it's that simple; but not easy. Most often, I am happy when I experience pleasure. But it is much more difficult to choose happiness when displeasure is all around...like in your example. Happiness is good therapy for the soul, not just the body! ====JACK:  Everyone has to choose their way of coping with their personal stresses.  Jodi chose running.  You and I might choose something else.====RAY:  Precisely my point. Your question asked for what "makes" one happy. We choose happiness as much as we don't choose it. Happiness isn't something that just happens to us, and our situation does not determine it -- we do ourselves. Maybe we don't choose cancer; but we certainly choose how we respond to it. Happiness is always an option of choice -- not one of circumstance. Jodi chose to "run" and to have treatment. I wonder if she chose happiness too?

 FROM SHARIN' SHARON:  The Bible has, over the years, become my friend. It wasn't always such a happy relationship. But still I am very aware through many discussions with others that, at times, others and I receive scripture differently. What really makes me happy is when somehow through a miracle we can feel together "unity" like yesterday when we heard and worshipped together that the Father is in Jesus and Jesus is in the Father, and that we are in them so that the world may believe that the Father has sent Jesus. John 17:20-26. My hope and faith is in this unity, though day-by-day I cannot always manage to actually feel it. But I turn this miserable situation all over to God for His work among us and that's what really makes me happy--I don't have to do anything impossible!!!!!!====JACK:  We used to sing in Sunday School..
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    I'm so glad, Jesus lifted me,       I'm so glad, Jesus lifted me,
    I'm so glad, Jesus lifted me,       singing glory, hallelujah,       Jesus lifted me.

    When I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me,       when I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me,
    when I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me,       singing glory, hallelujah,       Jesus lifted me.

 FROM RI IN BOSTON:  From age 12 onward, wherever I've lived I usually planted a tree or two on the property, little more than seedlings, maybe a couple feet high.  It made me feel good to see the growth every year, little by little.  The greatest satisfaction was many years later when I had the occasion to revisit some of those places.  There was a lot of satisfaction deep within me each time, seeing the dividend of mature trees from my original small investment of time.====JACK:  Years ago we transplanted a little spring of a tree from the church property to our yard.  You came over and said that we should cut off one of the stems and let it grow with a single trunk.  Today, that maple is at least 40 feet tall and has a beautiful canopy of leaves. ====RI:  God's creation has no limit when it comes to the diverse collection of living organisms.  And your tree sounds fantastic.

 FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  What makes me happy....seeing my husband walk through the door after work, my grandchildren, my child, church, watching and listening to the birds, ice cream, visiting with my sister's and their families, traveling, a good book, conversations and fun with friends, getting up each morning and saying "Thank you God", listening to music, Red Wings winning, being thankful for good health for my family...and reading "Winning Words"...and as my little granddaughter says after every conversation.... "Amen!"====JACK::  If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.  If your happy and you know it, say, AMEN!

 FROM JT IN MICHIGAN:  Keeping in touch with friends.  Sending belated hugs to people who celebrated a wedding anniversary two days ago.   Wishing them a blessed day today.====JACK:  Every day is blessed, depending on how you look at it.  Thanks.

 FROM KF IN MICHIGAN: sweating is on my list, too! : )====JACK:  I had an aunt and uncle who would take ordinary words and turn them into extra-ordinary.  Petunias became spitunias, and sweating became sweatry.
And there were many more.