Since my children were small, I launched their day with the invocation to “be good, have fun and learn.” I hope they remember that mantra, but now that my daughter Samara is beginning her independent life as a college freshman 3,000 miles away, I think a more detailed set of maxims is needed. So, I’ve begun to assemble a collection of concise (20 words or fewer) insights that I hope will guide, protect, nourish and inspire her to reach her potential for happiness and success.
Here are the first ten:
- You will be as happy as you are willing to be; choose to be happy.
- Have fun and enjoy your life, but never confuse fun or pleasure with happiness.
- Never let your happiness or sense of self-worth depend on someone else’s love or approval.
- Pain is inevitable but suffering is a choice.
- How you deal with what happens to you is more important than what happens to you.
- Real friends make you feel good about yourself but encourage you to be even better.
- It’s not just what you say, do, or intend, but how you make people feel that is most important.
- Failure is not a fact; it’s a perspective. Find the lesson in every setback and you’ll never fail.
- It’s never wrong to admit you were wrong; no one is always right.
- Don’t let grudges or resentments ruin your life or your day; let go, forget, move on!
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
Comments 3
Just hear this on the radio moments ago and got my soul stirred like you wouldn’t believe. Thank you sir!
These are excellent!
Outstanding list which as an educator I will use as I teach my students about the pillars of character. Many of these maxims, once accepted in America, have been lost in a culture that emphasizes wealth, physical appearance and sexual attractivenes, fame, and power as the criteria for measuring success. I’m looking forward to seeing the next 10. Thank you. Tom Carter