Jack’s Winning Words 4/21/16
“Talent is God-given; be humble.  Fame is man-given; be grateful.  Conceit is self-given; be careful.”  (John Wooden)  Wooden is best known for being a great basketball coach.  But he was even a greater human being.  Did you know?  He was married to wife Nell for over 50 years.  After her death he visited her burial site each month for 25 years and would write a love letter to her after each visit.  One of his rules for life:  “Make each day a masterpiece.”    ;-)  Jack    

FROM HONEST JOHN:  Did you know that he was a three time All American at Purdue?====JACK:  Not only a great coach, but a good player, too.  He once made 134 consecutive free throws...probably underhanded, too.  Another of his rules for life...Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings each day.

FROM QUILTIN' CAROL:  Like the positive idea of making each day a masterpiece but sometimes in our mundane life of daily chores how do we achieve that masterpiece?  Finding something of beauty or wonder? Seeing a little child smile or explore the world? I think yesterday my masterpiece was watching 4 young people carrying on a lively signed conversation at Mall of America.    I thought of my niece in her mid-40s going to school to become a sign language interpreter.  She was just named to the Dean’s List at her college.  Watching those young people brought back so many fun memories of my childhood as we had neighbors who were deaf and my niece’s grandparents were also.  We learned early not to pity them because they were enjoying their lives too.====JACK:  Just as with art...We each see our own masterpieces.  Sometimes it's in the Louvre...sometimes it's a child's drawing put on the refrigerator door with a magnet.

FROM HY YO SILVER:  Very good line. Never seen it before. I like it!====JACK:  It's always a good day when we come across a new thought, a new vision or a new friend.  How about this poem?
Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.
New-made friendships, like new wine,
Age will mellow and refine.
Friendships that have stood the test-
Time and change-are surely best;
Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray;
Friendship never knows decay.
For 'mid old friends, tried and true,
Once more we our youth renew.
But old friends, alas! may die;
New friends must their place supply.
Cherish friendship in your breast-
New is good, but old is best;
Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.

FROM RI IN BOSTON:  Never heard of John Wooden until you quoted him today.  His words about talent, fame, and conceit strike me as words of wisdom, worthy of our introspection.  I'm not sure about "[making] each day a masterpiece" but each day we live should be treasured.====JACK:  John Wooden is perhaps the most famous basketball coach...ever.  But, more importantly, he was famous for being a great teacher and gentleman.  It would be well for you to Google him...especially his personal life.  If you were to ask some sports nut to name even one famous architect, they would probably be similarly nonplussed.====RI:  Thanks, Jack, for bearing with me regarding my general disinterest about the sports world, and for the brief you provided about John Wooden.  At your suggestion I'll check into Google for more information.====JACK:  In this nation, where so many are obsessed with sports, it's refreshing to know someone who has other concerns.  While Wooden made a living by being a basketball coach, his "real" life was away from the sports arena.  That's why I recommend that you begin to know more about him.

FROM EDUCATOR PAUL:  I have never heard one negative word coming from  any of the players he coached.  He was a father figure to so many!====JACK:  Those were different times.  The game has become more of a business.  College, for many, is only a place that you have to put up with before moving on to the pros.  Not for all, thankfully.

FROM RS IN TEXAS:  The Wizard of Westwood would be one of those people I would have loved to have spent an evening with.====JACK:  Steve Allen developed a TV show, Meeting of the Minds, where actors, dressed as famous people of the past, would appear on the program and discuss history, philosophy, religion, politics, science....Plato, Aristotle, Luther, Marx, Darwin, Voltaire.  Wooden never appeared, but that would have been a good interview, right?

FROM FM IN WISCONSIN:  VERY interesting – he was quite a fellow.====JACK:  Vince seemed to be like him in football.

FROM JB IN SCS:  I love this quote!!====JACK:  There were so many good ones.  It was hard to choose.  For example:  "Build a shelter for a rainy day."  That would be a good one for your business.

FROM KANSAN DON:  Good words for today!  I think of this with politicians , preacher, and me. ====JACK:  I believe that Wooden crafted it for basketball players.  But conceit is a problem for many who are in the limelight.  As, parents sometimes remind their children: "Don't get too big for your britches."