Jack’s Winning Words 7/24/15
“Do it now!  Sometimes ‘Later’ becomes ‘Never.’”  (Seen on Facebook)  Do you remember Monday’s WWs suggestion to write a letter this week?  Sometimes we put off doing that which needs doing until it’s simply too late.  Life has a way of erasing opportunities or closing doors.  “I shoulda; I coulda.”  Maybe it’s not writing a letter; maybe it’s a life changing decision; we each have our own situation.  Procrastination often takes care of problems negatively.    ;-)  Jack

FROM ST PAUL IN ST PAUL:  a friend of mine likes to say that we let the more urgent decisions of life crowd out the more important (and vital) decisions of life.====JACK:  I have two vital sympathy cards on my desk that should have been sent out last Monday.  Today will be the day!

FROM HAPPY TRAILS IN NOVA SCOTIA:  Am just working my way through David Brook's recent book on character. Tough and challenging.  An easier read--substantive nonetheless--is the new Fareed Zakaria book, In Defense of a Liberal Education.====JACK:  I guess the operative question is..."What is the purpose of being educated?"  Today's world sees it as preparation for getting a job.  However, I've read that in the foreseeable future, current "jobs" will be phased out, to be replaced by "jobs" not even thought of yet.  I'm one who sees value in a liberal education.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  OH SO TRUE...I RECENTLY READ A GARRISON KEILLOR QUOTE WHICH SEEMS TO ADDRESS TODAY'S WW: "TAKE CARE OF YOUR FRIENDS, BECAUSE THERE WILL COME A DAY WHEN YOU ARE NOT MUCH FUN TO BE WITH, AND THERE IS NO REASON TO LIKE YOU EXCEPT OUT OF LONG-STANDING HABIT.".  HE'S ANNOUNCING HIS RETIREMENT, (AGAIN!)  HE SAYS "FOR SURE" AFTER THE 2016 SEASON OF "PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION".  DO IT NOW IS GOOD ADVICE! ====JACK:  Type A folks usually keep retiring from something to something.  They always seem to need items on their to-do list.  Does that list ever need to be completed?
I like this poem by Edgar A.  Guest.
He was going to be all that a mortal should be        Tomorrow.
No one should be kinder or braver than he        Tomorrow.
A friend who was troubled and weary he knew,  Who'd be glad of a lift and who needed it, too;
On him he would call and see what he could do        Tomorrow.

Each morning he stacked up the letters he'd write        Tomorrow.
And thought of the folks he would fill with delight        Tomorrow.
It was too bad, indeed, he was busy today,  And hadn't a minute to stop on his way;
More time he would have to give others, he'd say        Tomorrow.

The greatest of workers this man would have been        Tomorrow.
The world would have known him, had he ever seen        Tomorrow.
But the fact is he died and he faded from view,  And all that he left here when living was through
Was a mountain of things he intended to do        Tomorrow.

FROM WATERFORD JAN:  My father often recited this rhyme, author unknown.
    "When a task is once begun,
    Never leave it 'til its done.
    Be the labor, great or small,
    Do it well, or not at all."
In my father's case, he never meant that it was OK not to do the task!====JACK:  A church member told me that his father required him to memorize some poetry or saying each day and recite it at the dinner table each night.  Rainy Day by Longfellow was one that he would quote for me.
The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains,and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains,and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the mouldering past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,
And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart, and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

FROM IKE AT THE MIC:  On that theme,there's are several sayings that I use frequently:"Don't ever shoulda on yourself.."  "Now, backwards, is WON"====JACK:  You always seem to come with some good ones that are to the point.  Thanks

FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  I have learned from my children--just do it.  It is much easier than just thinking about it and putting things off. The to do list does help.====JACK:  I've got to make one of those lists for....today!

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  "The road to Heaven is paved with good intentions."====JACK:  And it's narrow, too!