Jack’s Winning Words 8/24/18
“Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little.”  (Epicurus)  Some of you might like to be a follower of Epicurus…”Minimize harm, and maximize happiness.”  Life’s purpose for him was to be happy; he was perplexed by evil –Why?  Being surrounded by friends made him happy.  He abhorred selfishness and hypocrisy.  It’s said that he started the custom of having birthday parties…way before the time of Christ.  The birthday song came later.   ;-)  Jack

FROM ST PAUL IN ST PAUL:  how happy would Epicurus be in America today?JACK:  He lived in the 4th century BCE which had invasions and wars, mixed with an emphasis on culture and the introduction of new gods...sort of like ours, if you count the new political leaders as gods.  Maybe he invented the birthday party to take his mind off of other things.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  Good quote! Woody Allen says "The people who successfully delude themselves seem happier than people who can't."  If you can ignore the unhappiness and evil in the world, I would guess, like Epicurus, you'd focus on happiness!  Most of us try to find a balance between dealing with the unpleasant truths in the world, and finding some blessings, or happy things as well...If successful, one has some peace of mind!===JACK:  Epicurus is my kind of guy...crying on the inside and laughing on the outside.  What sustains me is a song like..."This is my Father's world.  O. let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oft' so strong, God is the ruler, yet."

FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE:  Going to a church that proclaims Christ weekly and having friends there makes my life much more enjoyable than otherwise could be.===JACK:  It is a successful life when a person finds his place in the world,  I suppose you sit in the same pew every Sunday, too.  I know that I do.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  God invented birthdays with his first man Adam.  Perhaps Epicurus did invent the party.  I’m all for the party!  Today is Ethan’s 4th Birthday!  To watch the face light up to blow out the candles is so fun!  Even those in the nursing home love the parties!!===JACK:  Do you suppose that Jesus had birthday parties when he was growing up?