The Best of Jack’s Winning Words – Originally sent May 5, 2022.
“I’m proud of who I am.” (Rico Nasty) Today is celebrated as Cinco de Mayo, which translates as May the 5th. Surprisingly, it’s a bigger holiday in the USA than in Mexico. It’s a day when people of Mexican heritage show their pride in their roots, and remember that on May 5, 1862 the Mexican army defeated France in a battle for independence. Many of us are proud of our heritage. The Ukrainians come to mind. In spite of current divisions in our country, I’m still singing, “I’m proud to be an American.” How about you? 😉 Jack
OK, so I’m a day late with this post. I had to think a while about what to write on the theme that Jack used in his post. I’m pretty sure that Jack would still say the same thing about being proud to be an American, even as he may have disagreed with most of the things that the current administration is doing. Are you proud of who you are?
The more important message in Rico Nasty’s quote if to be proud of who you are. Proud of the person you’ve become and the values and morals that you hold too. That pride can be based upon the honesty with which you conduct yourself. You can easily tell if that is true at the end of each day if you have conducted yourself in such a manner that you end the day without any feelings of guilt or remorse. Are you proud of who you are?
We use a prayer at my church asking for forgiveness for “things which you have do and things left undone”. I most often find that last part to be the toughest and in need of the most forgiveness. Many of us leave things undone that we know we should do – help that we do not render when presented with the chance or maybe forgiveness not extended to someone who has wronged us. Are you proud of who you are?
In today’s political environment what comes to mind immediately are the words of Martin Luther King – “Our lives begin to end the day we are silent about things that matter.” There are many ways to express your disagreement with things that are happening. I have Dr. King’s quote on a lawn sign that I display at times like this. It’s not marching in protest, but it is something and it gives me a small feeling of pride at the end of the day. Are you proud of who you are?
Yesterday I saw a little Zen message in a word game that I play on my phone – “Be happy with what you have, not envious of what others have.” I think that ability to be happy with your life and what you have or have accomplished and not envious of the possessions or accomplishments of others is a key to being proud of who you are. Many just don’t spend enough time being thankful for and taking pride in what they have and what they done – perhaps a successful marriage, maybe raising great children, or being happy and successful with your work. Are you proud of who you are?
In the end, it will all come down to that moment of judgement between you and God and it will be God asking that question about your life – Are you proud of who you were? The good news is that if you are reading this post, you still have time to make changes in your life so that you can answer that question with a smile. Until that time at the end of each day, look back and ask yourself – Are you proud of who you are?
Posted by Norm Werner 
We all amass a book of wisdom over our lives, however, the books of wisdom for different people don’t have the same chapters nor do they read the same. I can’t think of a better first chapter for our book of wisdom than that suggested by Jefferson. The honesty that he was referring to must include being honest with yourself first and then you can be honest with all others in your life.
honest with either ourselves or others. I’m not sure of the wisdom of that course of action. Those who are not honest with themselves and others often weave webs of intrigue and lies that eventually they become caught up in themselves. Being honest and transparent in the things that your do and the decisions that you make means that you don’t have to try to remember all of the lies and deceptions that you may have engaged in with others.
“beautiful people”; however, everyone can be a beautiful person and that starts with them accepting themselves and not trying to be something that they aren’t. You will often hear someone referred to as being “genuine” and that is undoubtedly an honest person. Such a person may admire another person, but they don’t try to be that other person, because they are comfortable with who they are.
going in life? What’s holding you back from making those changes? Be honest with yourself and it will be easier for you to be honest with those around you. What a wise thing to do. You’ve added a new chapter to your book of wisdom.
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