Caring Heart

A caring heart that listens is often more valued than an intelligent mind that talks –from Love Quotes and Sayings

Just Keep on Knocking

-What to do when no one is answering their door. – In the summer of my junior year in college I took a job as a door-to-door salesman for the Fuller Brush Company. I sold household supplies, razor blades and, of course brushes. In those days, well before the internet, this kind of selling was common and there was a …

If life is a rat race, whomever wins is still a rat

— If you are tempted to justify unseemly and unethical behavior because “life is a rat race,” remember, even if you win, you’re still a rat. – Michael Josephson based on observation of Lily Tomlin . Similar thoughts: Can you lie to

Don’t pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger people. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the

Michael Josephson’s Best Quotes on Gratitude

1)  Gratitude is a feeling not statement. It is so easy to say we are grateful that I often don’t stop to really, really take the time to experience gratitude. Saying the words doesn’t mean a thing without the feeling and it takes a moment of genuine reflection to summon that feeling. This Thanksgiving don’t shortchange yourself with hollow words. …

Life never stops teaching. Be sure you never stop learning.

Improve your life through continuous self-conscious reflection. You’ll never stop growing if you never stop learning. As we get older life changes, we change. We can delay, but not completely avoid, physical deterioration but we can avoid stagnation and intellectual and emotional atrophy by committing ourselves to conscious and continuous learning and growth. There are lessons in every experience – the …

Vintage Xmas Cards

Click on image to enlarge it and see the beautiful detail. Enjoy and share with  friends. Updated December 24, 2015

MJ’s year in review on NBC

Southern Californians can see Michael’s assessment of the year from an ethical perspective on Conan Nolan’s show ‘News Conference,’ airing on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am on NBC on Christmas Day, December 25th.

CHRISTMAS IS MORE THAN A HOLIDAY, IT IS A PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE

COMMENTARY: Christmas – Christianity’s Gift to the World. Though I am Jewish, I have always loved Christmas and what is commonly called the Christmas Spirit. Of course, I don’t mean the crassly commercialized version of the Christmas Spirit that stresses consumerism, but the spirit of love, forgiveness, family, friendship and — remember this phrase? — “Peace on Earth and Good …

COMMENTARY: Tis the Season to be Jolly — Even While Shopping

People are not at their best in crowds. It’s as if every survival-of-the-fittest primordial instinct comes out to obliterate thousands of years of civilization. Pre-and post-holiday shopping, and the inevitable lines, test our character. My wife’s a professional shopper. She has strategies on where to park and how to find the fastest moving line (which I’ve discovered is not always …

Kindness & Gratitude

If you want to make people really happy this year be extraordinarily generous giving two things you have an unlimited amount of and cost you nothing: KINDNESS & GRATITUDE. – Michael Josephson

Christmas Gift Suggestions

TO YOUR CHILDREN: patience and a good example TO YOUR PARENTS: Respect and gratitude TO OTHER RELATIVES: Opportunities to get together TO YOUR FRIENDS: Empathy and meaningful attention TO THE LESS FORTUNATE: Charity and service TO YOUR SPOUSE: Understanding and a commitment to have more fun TO YOURSELF: Challenges and personal growth Real generosity is doing something for others even …

Help us make a difference

Donate on line at https://www.razoo.com/us/story/Charactercounts or send a check to Josephson Institute of Ethics 8117 W. Manchester Ave. Playa del Rey, CA 90293

COMMENTARY: Will This Be a Good Christmas?

Will this be a good Christmas? To lots of kids, the answer may be embedded in the response to the question: “Whaddja get?” On the other hand, retailers and Wall Street investors will look to sales and profits. What a pity that the spiritual and social potential of this holiday can be so easily lost. Of course, Christmas is a …

COMMENTARY: Surviving Critical Relatives at Family Gatherings

I realize that not everyone lives in a Norman Rockwell world where family gatherings are sources of warmth and good memories. For some, the prospect of holiday get-togethers generates dread and anxiety; they are something to endure, not enjoy. One reason is that family members can be tactless and downright cruel when expressing their opinions about perceived foibles, flaws and …

COMMENTARY: What is a Good Christmas?

Will this be a good Christmas? How will you measure it? For lots of kids, the answer may be embedded in the response to the question, “Whadja get?” On the other hand, retailers and Wall Street investors will look to sales and profits. What a pity that the spiritual and social potential of this a holiday can be so easily …