Jack’s Winning Words 11/19/13
“An optimist figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster; it’s more like the cha-cha.”  (Sent by Teri Gianetti)  Did you know that the NY Yankees have danced the cha-cha to excite their fans?  Some good plays could help, too.  But that’s beside the point.  Teri’s quote says that the optimist recognizes that life has its setbacks, but when mixed with a positive outlook, we can be dancing.    ;-)  Jack

 FROM RI IN BOSTON:  We certainly don't make constant progress in our lives, and not always rapid progress either.  We may move forward, then sometimes find that we've lost ground...temporarily, so it's not a "disaster".  The WW today reminds me of another comment that goes around, perhaps originating from a realist, "suppose the hokey-pokey is what it's all about!"====JACK:  Have you ever danced the Hokey Pokey?====RI:  Yes...and done other assorted silly things!====JACK:  Have you ever tried to do the "silly walk" as depicted by Monty Python?

 FROM HONEST JOHN:  Is a typhoon that wipes out most of one's family "a step backward"?   More of a cha chaaaaaaaaaa====JACK:  As it so often happens, it's the sliver in our finger that gets more attention than what's happening on the other side of the globe to someone unknown to us.  That's why there's the need for interpreters.  Our Sunday School children took up a collection for the typhoon victims last Sunday.

 FROM PEPPERMINT MARY:  pollyanna and i very much approve of this outlook on life!====JACK:  Why is poor Pollyanna so often depicted in negative terms?  Interestingly, it's usually not by children. ====MARY:  Are some people of the adult persuasion intimidated by true innocence and optimism? ====JACK:  If you have not seen it, you should watch the Twilight Zone episode called, "Kick the Can."  Someone commented to me on Sunday, "Isn't it hard to do children's sermons?"  I answered, "No!  I just try to put myself in the place of the child, and it seems to work out."  That's what preaching is about, too.... Trying to put yourself in the pew as well as in the pulpit.  That's why you're so good at what you do.  You know your audience.====MARY:  "kick the can" is a great episode.  when working with our children, i feel so close to spirit.  just by being together we compose a daily "children's  sermon".  they are my portal to the other/next world.  i am blessed to sit among the audience.

FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  Like.====JACK:  Do you "like" dancing the cha-cha, or is it the forward and backward and forward motion of life?====LIZ:  i do not dance in public. i do not like the setbacks of life, but who does?  i Like the "put it in perspective" of this message.

 FROM TARMART REV:  "cha-cha" or "square" dancing?? (square: “fair, honest genuine”) Remember my old saying? "It was the optimist that invented the airplane, the pessimist that invented the parachute and the realist that flies the plane." ====JACK:  I didn't think that the AGs allowed any kind of dancing, unless dancing on the streets of heaven.

 FROM CK WHEREVER HE IS:  Thanks for the words today Jack! I needed to hear that.====JACK:  Did you ever see the commercial for Mennen's Skin Bracer, where a hand comes out and slaps a man across the face, and he responds, "Thanks, I needed that!"?  I'm one who likes that product...but not the slap across the face.

 FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER:  Isn't it true, that n the Cha-cha, while you are moving forward, your partner is moving backward? We need to dance side-by-side.  Also,as long as the step forward is longer than the step backward, we are making progress.====JACK:  Maybe you can call it the chaaaaa-cha, or the sneeze dance..

 FROM TERI GIANETTI:  Thanks for printing this & I liked your addition!====JACK:  I got a lot of good feedback on that quote.  Thanks for sending it. ====TERI:  By the way, anyone that knows how to really cha-cha, knows there are cooperative "side moves" and no one ever takes all the steps back.  Interesting interpretations.  And, by the way, the cha cha one was not my favorite quote.  My favorite ones are: "Even a piece of paper has two sides."  "Change is the only constant."  My most favorite quote is:   “Out beyond ideas of right thinking and wrong thinking, there is a field.  I'll meet you there." (Rumi)  Responses would probably be really interested!

 FROM SBP IN FLORIDA:  I'm either a pragmatist or a fool....or some of both. Set backs provide breathing time...reflection time...planning the next step time.... That sounds "holier than thou"....but it's in the same league (I think,) as "God doesn't shut a door without opening a window."....my way of keeping mental balance.====JACK:  Every day is decision-making time.  I like the Ella Fitzgerald song, "Undecided."   "First, you say, you do  And then you don't And then you say, you will  And then you won't  You're undecided now  So what are you gonna do?"  Even sitting on the fence is a decision.  I like your suggestion to use "down" time as "reflection" time.