As a society we have become almost obsessed with identifying and asserting our rights – to think, say, and do what we want. That’s not surprising, given the history of our country and the prominent role the Constitution and Bill of Rights have played in shaping our culture. We have a right to be unkind, thoughtless, and disrespectful — but …
“Sometimes life doesn’t turn out the way you expected or hoped. That doesn’t mean you can’t be happy. If you don’t limit yourself to your first version of your life, there’s always a brighter future ahead.” – Michael Josephson
“Lying to avoid problems is like getting drunk to forget them. It’s a temporary solution with the worst sort of hangover. Your problems are still there, but they are even bigger because now you can’t be trusted.” – Michael Josephson
“I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.” – Abraham Lincoln
Modern managers often utter clichés about wanting employees to “think outside the box,” take risks, and be creative. And while I’m sure companies do appreciate break-through innovative ideas that increase profits, productivity, or quality, the fact is that most organizations are inhospitable to those who challenge old ways of doing things, even practices that are inefficient, useless, or counterproductive. I’ve …
Franklin Delano Roosevelt told us that “human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel in order to be tough.” Given the tone and content of political rhetoric today, more than ever, we must have the strength and courage to reject PROPHETS OF SELFISHNESS, PURVEYORS OF …
It is never too late to become a happier person. It is never too late to become a better person.
Don’t let your mistakes define you, let them guide you. Tomorrow is a new day.
A former successful college coach and athletic director once wrote me a note about the state of college sports. The pressure to win in high-profile schools is so great, he said, that it’s almost impossible to resist rationalizing. When competitors cheat or engage in other unethical conduct, the tendency is to redefine the ground rules for competition rather than be …
What will matter in the end is not what you bought but what you built; not what you got but what you gave; not what you learned but what you taught. What will matter is not your competence but your character. – Michael Josephson See full poem on far right column
“We each decide whether to make ourselves learned or ignorant, compassionate or cruel, generous or miserly. No one forces us. No one decides for us. We are responsible for what we are.” – Moses Maimonides
Your approval isn’t needed.
“Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.” – Charles Dickens
Striving to be of service is not only a noble thing to do, it’s the best way to lead a truly fulfilling and significant life. – Michael Josephson
Five Things to Learn from Your Children: Everything looks better after a nap. People who love you keep you safe. When you’re not sure what’s happening, just giggle. All you need to have fun is a good friend. Learn at least one new thing every day. – Michael Josephson
“Parents can give good advice, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” – Anne Frank
“When you have the choice of whether to be right nor kind, be kind.” – Wayne Dyer
CONSIDER YOURSELF A WORK IN PROCESS. “It is never too late to become a happier person. It is never too late to become a better person. None of us are all we could be or should be. We must see and pursue our positive potential and take comfort knowing that we are better than we used to be and not …
STATE DEPARTMENT SPONSORS SESSIONS ON JOSEPHSON INSTITUTE’S EXEMPLARY PEACE OFFICER MODEL FOR KYRGYZSTAN AND PALESTINIAN POLICE The U.S. State Department occasionally asks me to meet with visiting delegations interested in my work in the policing field. In January I met with the top state policing leaders from the country of Kyrgyzstan and last week, directors and commanders of the West Bank’s …
The U.S. State Department occasionally asks me to meet with visiting delegations interested in my work in the policing field. In January I met with the top state policing leaders from the country of Kyrgyzstan and last week, directors and commanders of the West Bank’s Palestinian Civil Police and the Presidential Guard (like our Secret Service). Despite major cultural differences …
“Kind hearts are the gardens. Kind thoughts are the roots. Kind words are the flowers. Kind deeds are the fruits. Take care of your garden and keep out the weeds. Fill it with sunshine, kind words and kind deeds.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Over your lifetime, this piece of paper is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Education is the best investment you will ever make.
“People of character do the right thing, even if no one else does; not because they think it will change the world, but because they refuse to be changed by the world.” – Michael Josephson
What’s causing the growing hole in our moral ozone? Why are cheating and lying so common in schools, on the sports field, and in business and politics? Apparently it’s a thing called pressure. Kids are under pressure to get into college, athletes and coaches are under pressure to win, and, according to a survey by the American Management Association, the …
The brighter your outlook, the brighter your future. Your life improves with a positive attitude.
If you can learn to live with the needles, you can enjoy the flowers.
According to legend, a young man roaming the desert came across a spring of delicious crystal-clear water. The water was so sweet he filled his leather canteen so he could bring some back to a tribal elder who had been his teacher. After a four-day journey, he presented the water to the old man, who took a deep drink, smiled …
“What will matter in the end is not what you bought but what you built; not what you got but what you gave; not what you learned but what you taught. What will matter is not your competence but your character.” – Michael Josephson. Click here to read the entire poem.
“It’s easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities.” – Sir Josiah Stamp
Harry: “The Sorting Hat only put me in Gryffindor, because I asked not to go in Slytherin.” Professor Dumbledore: “Exactly. It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” – from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
