Don’t waste your time…

February 14, 2025


The Best of Jack’s Winning Words – Originally posted August 10, 2017.


“Life appears to me too short to be spent nursing animosities.” (Charlotte Bronte) In Alice in Wonderland, White Rabbit says: “So little time. So much to do.” I’m on the same page with him. So was Jim Croce. “There never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do.” Even though you might not want to do it, Bronte suggests that getting rid of animosity is one thing that needs doing before life’s end. If you have a hatchet that needs burying, do it today. 😉 Jack


Animosity is just one of the timewasters that I can think of. Others include hate, prejudice, jealousy, and envy. Putting those things behind you allows you to focus your energy on positive things and relationships.


Letting animosities fester many times leads to wasting even more time plotting revenge and always takes you to a dark place where you really don’t want to be. Revenge, like the animosity that drives that need is best relegated to the rubbish bin. The old saw that “revenge is a dish best served cold” should be replaced with “revenge is a dish best not served at all.”
Perhaps it is the wisdom that comes with getting old that has helped me see this more clearly now. Time for an elderly person becomes the most precious thing that they have and they don’t want to waste it on unimportant things like animosities.


In the song “Let it be” written by John Lennon he appeals to the virgin Mary, but it can be generalized as an appeal to God. The reply from Mary (God) in the song for dealing with adversities is, “Let it be.” Jesus used the phrase “Be at peace”, which may be thought of as a way to let it be. That is good advice or dealing with animosities and other hatred that may be controlling your life.


The quickest way that I’ve fond to let it be and be at peace is to surrender to God’s will with the little prayer, “Not my will but thy will be done.” That little prayer takes whatever it may be that is consuming you off your plate and hands it to God. There is a palpable sense of relief that will come over you if you sincerely pray that prayer.


So, don’t waste your time holding grudges and animosities. Life is too short. Give those things to God. Let it be and be at peace.

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Posted by Norm Werner

Escape your prison in 2024…

January 2, 2024

The Best of Jack’s Winning Words 1/2/24 – reposts from the late Pastor Jack Freed’s blog


“As I walked out the door to my freedom, I knew if I did not leave all the anger, hatred and bitterness behind that I would still be in prison.” (Nelson Mandela) As we walk into the New Year, it would be well to follow Mandela’s example and leave behind that which has kept us from being the best that we can be. It is possible to let the past be the past and to live life in a new way. Let that be our resolve. 😉  Jack

Originally sent January 4, 2016.

As you begin a new year, perhaps focusing upon things that you decide not do are as important as making resolutions about things that you hope to do. If you can resolve to start 2024 by leaving behind the anger, hatred and bitterness in your life, you will have a much better year.

Instead of focusing upon getting even with someone else over some real or perceived harm that they may have caused you, focus instead upon forgiving them and moving on with your life.

Instead of wallowing in self-pity over poor decisions that you made in your past, focus upon forgiving yourself, learning from your mistakes, and moving on with life.

Instead of allowing fear and hatred to dictate your reaction to others who may no be like you, open your heart and your mind to the possibilities of new understanding, new learning and new friendships.

Instead of limiting yourself over concerns about what others may think, or trying to meet the expectations of others, be true to yourself and be the best that you can be.

Walk out of the prison of your past and begin a new life.

Have a great New Year in 2024.

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Posted by Norm Werner

Did you leave your 2015 baggage behind?

January 4, 2016

Nelson Mandela“As I walked out the door to my freedom I knew if I did not leave all the anger, hatred and bitterness behind that I would still be in prison.”  (Nelson Mandela), as seen on the Jack’s Winning Ways blog.

We tend to view the start of each New Year as a chance to begin anew. At least we have not had tie enough to mess things up or cause much pain during the first few days of the year. So, it’s as if the beginning of each year gives us the chance to walk out of the prison of the past year and into the freedom of a new beginning. What we choose to take with us when we walk out of that prison is up to us.

The allusion to these things as baggage is really a good analogy. It’s as if baggagewe are carrying this heavy sac of stuff around. The weight of anger, hatred, prejudices and bitterness weighs us down and pulls down the corners of our mouths, causing us to look pained, angry or unpleasant at the least. The furrowing of our brows at the thoughts of those things causes wrinkles on our faces and the invectives that may spew from our mouths make us uninviting friends or guests indeed.

In addition to any resolutions that you may have made going into 2016, you should take Nelson Mandela’s advice about leaving behind any anger, hatred or bitterness that you may have been hauling around in 2015 as your personal baggage. I might add that leaving behind prejudices, fears and preconceived notions would also get 2016 off to a better start.

So, what baggage do you need to discard? Are you still harboring a grudge or bitterness for some slight that you felt in 2015? Are you still angry with someone who you feel harmed you in some way in 2015? Are you still harboring fears or prejudices and you may have been carrying around since well before 2015? Are you still sad because of some events that occurred in 2015? It’s time to let go of all of that baggage.  You cannot really leave the dungeon that those things put you in until you renounce them and move on.  Your soul cannot fly when weighted down with all of those burdens.

There are many ways to try to offload your personal baggage, but the easiest is to accept the help that is offered through faith. Jesus said, “Cobutterfly 2me to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Once you have found peace through your faith and
unloaded your personal baggage, you will find that you have freed your soul and can let it fly in 2016. Walk out of your prison and leave the baggage behind.

Have a great and baggage free 2016!

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Posted by Norm Werner