Jack’s Winning Words 2/20/15
“Next play!”  (Mike Krzyzewski)  A recent article in the Detroit Free Press told of how Duke bb coach “K” has a ritual of saying to his team after every play (good or bad), “Next play!”  No matter what’s happened, focus on the task at hand.  We all have “downers.”  We need to be able to “let go,” and concentrate on the now, not the past.  Success occurs (or is lost) in the brief moment of opportunity.  Whatever happens, be ready to yell, “Next play! Next play!”    ;-)  Jack 

FROM HONEST JOHN:  Jimmy Howard made some key stops last night in the shoot out because he "remembered" the tendencies of the shooters.   Past and future can both be aids to acting in the present.====JACK:  One of the keys of the game (even the game of life) is the ability to anticipate and, then, to prepare.  You might not win 100% of the time, but you'll be better than average.  I'm sure you found that to be true in tennis and in debate.

FROM DMF IN THE VALLEY:  One of the guys I used to play baseball with (who played some minor league ball) would say “You’re only as good as your next at bat”.====JACK:  ...but what have you done for me lately?  That's the trouble with success.

FROM RI IN BOSTON:  We should never "let up" day after day.  All of us do have "downers", and we have good moments too, but we shouldn't dwell on either of those situations.  All of our activities are in play and a new hardship or opportunity may be about to happen.  I know that from experience.  Be vigilant, be ready.====JACK:  A rubber band, always stretched to its limits, either breaks or loses its elasticity.  People can be like that, too.  Even Jesus, at times, went away from the crowds to rest and to pray.

FROM TARMART REV:  Onward!! Jack!! If God wills, back with you on Monday!! If not, Next play!!====JACK:  "Fret not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."  (Proverbs 27:1)

FROM CPA BOB: As a kid, I remember often hearing “don’t cry over spilled milk”.  For most of us, there are serious & not so serious things for which we’d like a “do over”, but, of course, we should know what we can’t change.  Our creed says it succinctly, “forget the mistakes of the past…” ====JACK:  ...and PRESS ON to the greater achievements of the future.  Next Play!

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  There's always tomorrow!====JACK:  As Annie sings:  Just thinkin' about tomorrow   Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow 'til there's none  When I'm stuck with a day that's grey and lonely   I just stick up my chin and grin and say, oh  The sun will come out tomorrow   So you gotta hang on   'til tomorrow, come what may! 
 Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow   You're always a day away!

FROM BB IN ILLINOIS:  Great one – for Lent too – we may have already erred on our Lenten discipline but, “next play”!====JACK:  That's what grace is about.  "You are forgiven...Next play!"

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  I'VE SEEN HIM THROUGH MANY GAMES, BUT NEVER KNEW THAT...LOVE IT!  THAT'S A PERFECT PERCEPTION!!  WHAT A GOOD THOUGHT: I'LL KEEP THAT IN MIND FOR MY UPS AND DOWNS. YEP, LIFE GOES ON, NO MATTER WHAT!! WE HAD AN EXCELLENT PORTRAYER OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN AT OUR SENIOR LUNCHEON AT CHURCH YESTERDAY, (FRITZ KLEIN) AND AFTER HEARING AGAIN ALL THAT HE WENT  THROUGH WHEN OUR COUNTRY WAS AT ITS LOWEST EBB, AND HEARING THAT LINCOLN ALWAYS SAID, "OUR COUNTRY IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT...I'M ASSURED.WE'RE GOING TO BE FINE, IN THE END..."  GIVES ME HOPE FOR OUR COUNTRY TODAY. NEXT PLAY!====JACK:  "This, too, shall pass,"  comes to mind, but I don't know who first said those words.  The quote is included in a book, "A Collection of Wise Saws."  Some trace it to ancient Persian poets; others to Solomon.  Anon probably fits best.  Coach K might have used it after a loss.

FROM SBP IN FLORIDA: Since one our daughters lives in Chapel Hill, I watched the game. It was a good game. And I can see/feel how the admonition "Next play!" Move on! Forge ahead! Positive thinking instead of rehashing the past.====JACK:  Rehash is an interesting word, derived from hash, derived from a French word, meaning to chop up finely.  Ergo, rehash is to chop up some more.  We used to have baked hash in our home, made from leftover pot roast, potatoes and onions.  I liked to turn the crank on the grinder that chopped up the items.