Jack’s Winning Words 12/31/15
“Don’t look back.  We’re not going that way.”  (Book by Marcia Wallace)  Until I read the book reviews, I didn’t realize that Marcia was Mrs Krabapple, Bart Simpson’s teacher and Carol, the receptionist on the Bob Newhart Show.  The book title is a saying her father would use.  She writes for people who feel that life hasn’t gone well for them (like herself) and how she has come to “count her lucky chickens.”  As fear-laden 2015 ends, let’s look ahead with hope.    ;-)  Jack

FROM TARMART REV:  Walking with you, Jack--lead on my friend, together while apart!! Happy New Year!!====JACK:  Together, we will follow the Leader.  "Lead on, O King Eternal!"

FROM IKE AT THE MIC:  Let's look ahead not only with hope, but also with OPTIMISM! ====JACK:  ...with a glass neither half full nor half empty, but with a glass completely empty and optimistically waiting to be filled with many good experiences in the new year.

FROM RI IN BOSTON:  Those Winning Words make good sense.  Those things in the past should be settled, so we can deal with the issues still to come.  There may be things that didn't go well previously, but it's better to consider the things that were successes.  Now I'm looking ahead... specifically to your next year of Winning Words.  Here's wishing you a wonderful new year. ====JACK:  I'm a member of the Optimist Club.  Each weekly meeting is closed by those in attendance repeating the Optimist Creed, part of which reads..."forgetting the things of the past and pressing on to the greater achievements of the future."

FROM TRIHARDER:  I was just in the Grand Canyon. You look back to see how much progress you've made -- how far you are from the top on your descent; how far up from the bottom on your climb out. It's inspirational and provides motivation. Looking back can provide direction. Also help you remember where you came from.  I am my father's (and mother's) son. I am proud to look back to my roots. None of that deprives me of hope. On the contrary, it gives me hope.  It's funny how, for many old sayings, there is another to contradict it.====JACK:  There's usually a  quote to back up any message that you want to give...positive or negative.  "Remember that nobody will ever get ahead of you as long as he is kicking you in the seat of the pants."  Walter Winchell)

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  There are a lot of reasons for looking back....memories both good and bad.  The key is to look at the memories and how they touched you.  Usually, with all memories there comes a time we can look and find a something good out of everything in life.====JACK:  I haven't read Marcia's book, but I think that's the message she wants to give.

FROM JT:  Faith, hope and love.  God has given us such wonderful gifts.  Thank you for sharing Him with us.  P.S.  Bought a new car yesterday – 2016 Malibu.====JACK:  God is great!  God is good!

FROM CHESTER THE GOOD:  I agree that we should look ahead with hope, but never forget the lessons of the past. Happy New Year!====JACK:  The calendar is simply a way of keeping track of time.  Birthdays are like that, too.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  Good thought!  But kind of fun to go back over this past year's calendar and see how full of experiences it is, and how many people you mingled with in the course of the year!!  Amazing! Looking forward to a nice seafood dinner out with friends, and to FIRST NIGHT, a venue held at our Theatre Center, with lots of family entertainment choices, and no alcohol on the premises. Always a great evening!  Thankful to be here to usher in another brand new year!! And looking forward...we ARE going that way!!====JACK:  We often take our blessings for granted.  I think of the people who "need" to look forward with hope as the new year begins.  (Not that we don't all need hope...)

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  Sounds like a good book.  The Bob Newhart show was one of my absolute favorite tv shows. I especially loved his phone calls.  My dad had an record album we used to listen to quite often.  I also remember "Carol".  She was the perfect fit to Bob's character. ====JACK:  Sometimes it's hard to realize that the characters in a TV show are not "real."  True life begins when they leave the set and go home.  It wasn't always "funny" for Marcia.