Jack’s Winning Words 8/23/16
“We can’t decide what we are handed, but we can decide how we handle it.” (Marissa Penrod)  I was at a meeting last week where Marissa related being told that her 5-yr-old son had a form of muscular dystrophy.  After the shock of being handed that news, she determined to do something about it, and Team Joseph came into being.  Every day people are given life-changing news.  Can you relate?  What we do after that…we each have to answer for ourselves.    ;-)  Jack

FROM IKE AT THE MIC:  I too am impressed with her & plan to have her on my radio show.
She epitomizes the yiddish word "chutzpah".I wish our leaders in Washington had that talent. ====JACK:  Chutzpah is one of those words that's hard to define, but you know it when you see and hear it.

FROM MT IN PENNSYLVANIA:  What a simple, yet powerful, bit of guidance!  Thank you. :-) ====JACK:  When the mother was told the news in her doctor's office, he said that he could get her an appointment with a specialist in 5 to 8 weeks.  "I'm not leaving this office until I have one tomorrow...and she just sat there.  When the doctor saw that she was not going to move, he got her an appointment for the next day.  She has approached "finding a cure" with the same determination.

FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  Just to take one day at a time and try to make each day better for everyone. ====JACK:  Whoever thought up the seven virtues made a good choice to include, "patience."

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  I can relate to life-changing news, as when my husband was diagnosed with an inoperable brain cancer, and our son Mark was removed from the liver transplant list, as it was too late, after the wait, to do any good.  So thankful  at those times to have strong faith, and faithful family and friends, which allowed us to "handle" it  in a meaningful and loving way, and keep both at home, surrounded by caring family. We CAN choose how to handle it.  Guideposts magazine in July has the story of former outstanding gymnist Bryan Anderson who had both legs and his left hand blown off in Iraq, and knew he could roll over and die, or "move on". He chose to move on, and it is astounding what he is able to do, and his upbeat message and attitude inspires family, friends, and other amputees in a big way.  We decide...====JACK:  I'm sure that there have been people who have looked at you and wondered, "How does she do it?"  I've often quoted from the poem, "The Gospel According to You."  ..."the only Gospel some folks read is the Gospel according to you."  You are a witness to the people around you and to the readers of Winning Words, also.  Thank you!

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  God bless her and her son.====JACK:  Not even a sparrow falls to the ground but that God is aware.  God knows and care about Joseph and his mom.