Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Commentaries”
On May 6, 2016 Michael Josephson addressed about 250 religious and civic leaders in South Orange County, CA. The powerful and provocative presentation received a standing ovation. It began with this invocation: “Let us hear and heed the better angels of our nature, the angels 22 that call us to think and act beyond ourselves; to respect and care about …
Terry and his dad Glen were walking along the shore and came upon a scorpion struggling in the tide, trying to get back to the sand. Glen tried to scoop the creature up, but the scorpion stung him and fell back into the tide. Glen tried again and was stung again. Terry said, “Dad, leave him alone! He’s not worth …
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.” – Lao Tzu
In yesterday’s commentary, I talked about a teacher named Shavonne who was at wits end with several students, including Leon, whose lack of self-control when he became angry or frustrated constantly created trouble. She was certain that nothing short of intense therapy could change his behavior. Changing Leon’s behavior will be a challenge, but it has to start with changing …
“A person of character seeks true happiness in living a life of purpose and meaning, placing a higher value on significance than success.” – Michael Josephson
“Never forget that you are one of a kind. And never forget, no matter how overwhelming life’s challenges and problems seem to be,
A-N-G-E-R is only one letter short of D-A-N-G-E-R.
Let your light show the path. Let your work make it a road. Let your will change the world.
Whether or not you cross your fingers. Be LOYAL. Be FAITHFUL. Be worthy of TRUST.
Shavonne, a third-grade teacher, was at the end of her rope with disciplinary problems, but she wasn’t enthusiastic when she was told that her school had adopted the CHARACTER COUNTS! program. Now she was expected to explicitly seek to instill and enhance in her students core ethical values like honesty, respect, and responsibility, and to help them develop positive social …
The ripple impact of your integrity will influence generations to come as each person inspired to emulate your example passes on your lessons by their words and conduct.
Be Authentic. Know yourself. Accept yourself. Be yourself. Reject all that is fake – friends, emotions, ambitions. Reject all forms of dishonesty – lies, pretenses, deceptions. Insist on and give nothing less than truth and sincerity. – Michael Josephson
One of the most insightful and useful books I’ve ever read is a small volume by Harold Kushner called Living a Life That Matters. Today, I want to suggest ways of getting the most out of books, at least nonfiction books, which is about all I read. Reading shouldn’t be a passive experience. If you allow yourself to be absorbed …
You see different things when you look at things differently.
I want to be thin — especially when I’m not hungry. And it seems the President and members of Congress want to work together — especially if they don’t have strong feelings about the issue. I liked President Obama’s call for more civility and greater cooperation, but I’m not convinced it will happen. There’s always a lot of room between …
Do more than care: HELP. Do more than believe: PRACTICE. Do more than belong: PARTICIPATE. Do more than be fair: BE KIND. Do more than forgive: FORGET. Do more than dream: WORK. – William Arthur Ward (adapted)
“Be who you are and say what you mean, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Derived from a quote by Bernard Baruch (often falsely attributed to Dr. Seuss)
Take a look around. Business, education, politics. If there’s one thing we don’t have enough of, it’s good leaders —men and women who have the vision and the ability to change things for the better.
Suppose you’re an Olympic athlete and you hear that the only person who has a chance to beat you is ill and may have to withdraw. Are you overjoyed at your good luck or disappointed that you will not be able to compete against the very best? If you really love and understand sports, you ought to be disappointed. John …
“A loving touch, a caring hug and a kind word costs nothing but can mean everything. Be generous with kindness and encouragement.” – Michael Josephson
“A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” – Lao Tzu
“Doing what you must is duty. Doing what you should is virtue. Doing what you can is service. Doing what you are afraid of is courage. Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.” – Author Unknown
Watch your thoughts, for they become WORDS. Watch your words, for they become ACTIONS. Watch your actions, for they become HABITS. Watch your habits, for they become CHARACTER. Watch your character, for it becomes DESTINY.
Here are seven truths I’ve discovered in my struggles to be an effective boss: It’s not what you say that matters; it’s what people hear. Just because you said it doesn’t mean they heard it. Just because you wrote it doesn’t mean they read it. Be sure your message is received and understood. There are lots of things you don’t know …
