Category Archive

“Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like ‘struggle’. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.” – Mister Rogers

“You can give it away or sell it, but you can’t buy it. Without integrity you become nothing and will have nothing.” – Michael Josephson

“I think the purpose of life is to be USEFUL, to be RESPONSIBLE, to be HONORABLE, to be COMPASSIONATE, to MATTER, to COUNT, to STAND FOR SOMETHING, to HAVE MADE SOME DIFFERENCE that you lived at all.” – Leo Rosten Profits or Purpose? It’s not an either or choice but it’s not easy to pursue both profits and purpose. The profit part comes easier. We all have to make …

“Good ideas without action are like beautifully wrapped boxes with nothing inside.” – Michael Josephson

“Live a life that your children can be proud of, and they will live a life you can be proud of.” – Michael Josephson

When is the last time you did something for the first time? Isn’t it about time?

Before you Speak… T-H-I-N-K T – is it true? H – is it helpful? I – does it inspire confidence? N – is it necessary? K – is it kind?

“If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.” – Abigail Van Buran

Dad, will you put my hair in a bun?

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius

“Enjoy and be grateful for the little things in life, for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things.” – Antonio Smith (paraphrase)

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou Never stop learning. Never stop striving. Never stop growing.

“Be ASSERTIVE, but not abrasive Be BOLD, but not reckless Be CANDID, but not cruel Be CAUTIOUS, but not timid Be CONFIDENT, but not conceited Be PROUD, but not vain Be STEADFAST, but not stubborn.” – Michael Josephson

BE HONEST even if it costs more than you want to pay. TREAT PEOPLE WITH RESPECT even if they don’t seem to deserve it. FULFILL YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES even when you could dodge them. CARE ABOUT PEOPLE even if you don’t know them. BE FAIR even when you have the power to take more than our share. PLAY BY THE RULES …

“Fear is often more damaging than the thing feared. Most things you fear will never happen. And even if they do, they are rarely as bad as anticipated. What’s more, even if bad things occur, you can handle it. Perspective is an antidote to fear.” – Michael Josephson

“Don’t do anything today that will darken tomorrow.” – Michael Josephson

What do you remember about the “Know Nothing” movement in the 1850’s? I rarely get political on this blog but What Will Matter is about my personal philosophy and, though it will doubtless alienate some of you who thought you liked me before,there are times when I believe the ethical aspects of a political issue are so compelling that I …

“When a door closes, try to re-open it. If it does not yield, look for another door. If you can’t find one, look for a window. If there is no window, poke a hole in the wall and make one. There is always a way out. NOTHING THAT CONFINES YOU IS STRONGER THAN YOUR WILL TO BE FREE.” – Michael …

Ethics are about the ought, not the is. Ethics are not about the way things are, but about the way they should be.

“The most important reason to know who you are is that it’s the first step in becoming who you CAN be.” – Michael Josephson

“The intensity of our belief that we are right does not convert our opinions into truth.” – Michael Josephson Self-righteousness often results from believing that the more certain we are, the more likely we are to be right. The contrary is often true. Our certainty blinds us to other points of view, perceptions and new evidence. It is best to …

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” – Dalai Lama