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 …
Beautiful Vintage Christmas Cards
Enjoy and share with friends. You might also enjoy this comprehensive collection of Best Xmas quotes Best Ever Quotes on Christmas & the Christmas Spirit Best Ever Quotes on Christmas & the Christmas Spirit
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 …
COMMENTARY: The Missing Baby Jesus
In a lovely essay*, Jean Gietzen wrote about a family experience in 1943. It was just before Christmas in North Dakota and her family had just bought a nativity set with small figurines. But Jean’s mother was deeply disturbed to discover the set included an extra Baby Jesus. “Go back to the store,” she instructed, “and tell the manager to put …
COMMENTARY: Keeping Christmas: A Prescription for A Better World
KEEPING CHRISTMAS: A PRESCRIPTION FOR A BETTER WORLD. Whether you are a Christian or not, Henry Van Dyke‘s concept of “Keeping Christmas,” written in 1905, is worth reading and following: It is a good thing to observe Christmas day. The mere making of times and seasons when men agree to stop work and make merry together, is a wise and …
What we have done for ourselves dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal. ~Albert Pike
“We can’t live forever, but what we do for others can change their lives forever.” – Michael Josephson
COMMENTARY: 12 HARD-WON LIFE CHANGING INSIGHTS
Perhaps the only major advantage of getting older is the prospect of getting wiser. I think I’ve learned a great many things over the years but here are a dozen of my most treasured insights. I am still a work in process; that as long as I can think I can learn. I still have a lot to learn but if …
Self-pity is a losing strategy. It repels others and weakens you. — Michael Josephson
You are entitled to be sad and to grieve but don’t sabotage yourself or your relationships with negativity. Even the most sympathetic and loving friend gets exhausted by energy-draining self-pity.
COMMENTARY: The Treasure of Old Friends
In my lifetime, I’ve had the good fortune of having a handful of good friends. Each of my four teenage daughters have many hundreds. At least that’s what they call
COMMENTARY: Deal or No Deal?
Sarah’s mom agreed to let her 16-year-old go to a party if she promised to be home by midnight. But as the Cinderella hour approached, Sarah did a quick risk/reward calculation. She knew her mom would be angry and probably ground her, but she was having so much fun she decided it was worth it. Sure enough, when she got …
The Seven Cs of Character by Michael Josephson
When it comes to working on our character it is never too late or too little. I don’t mean to imply you’re a bad person
COMMENTARY: What Makes Us Happy?
There is an ever-growing body of knowledge about the nature and causes of happiness. For one thing, it’s clear that happiness is a feeling, not a circumstance. Happiness is more than just fun or pleasure. It’s a more durable sense of well being.
Gandhi’s 7 Social Sins (English and Spanish)
The Seven Social Sins (Aqui esta en castellano) Wealth without work – Riqueza sin trabajo Pleasure without conscience – Placer sin conciencia. Knowledge without character – Conocimientos sin carácter Commerce without morality – Negocios sin moral Science without humanity – Ciencia sin amor a la humanidad Worship without sacrifice – Religiosidad sin sacrificio Politics without principle – Política sin principios …
COMMENTARY: Testing Your Integrity
In the past year, did you keep the money if a cashier gave you too much change? Did you lie to your boss, a customer, or a significant other? Did you use the Internet for personal reasons at work? Did you distort or conceal facts on a resumé or in a job interview? Did you inflate an expense or insurance …
COMMENTARY: One Way to Change Your Life – Change Your Expectations
Einstein said it’s a form of insanity to keep doing the same thing over and over and expect a different result. So, if you want something different, do something different, or change your expectations, or both. In my own life, I’ve found that adjusting my expectations has made a big difference in my ability to enjoy my life. Unmet expectations …
REAL FRIENDSHIP IS A BEAUTIFUL THING
Don’t worry about what others say, I think you’re beautiful just the way you are Real friendship is a beautiful thing!
COMMENTARY: The Cowboy Code
I grew up in much simpler times. Television was in its infancy, and the idea of a hero was exemplified by a white-hatted cowboy. There was a clarity and simplicity to this hero’s moral code that left no doubt there is a right and wrong. As I became more sophisticated, it was easy to ridicule these simplistic approaches to ethics …
COMMENTARY: Thanking Your Parents on Thanksgiving
As we approach Thanksgiving Day, I hope you will think about your parents with your most gentle and generous thoughts and be thankful. Even if you didn’t have ideal parents or a perfect home life, if either or both of your parents are still with you, make an effort to experience and express genuine gratitude. It’s natural to take for granted what …
COMMENTARY: The Make-Up Test
Chad and his three friends were college seniors and doing well in their classes. Even though the final physics exam was on Monday, Chad persuaded his buddies to take a weekend trip several hundred miles away. He told his worried friends they could study in the car, during the trip, and when they got back Sunday night. Instead, the boys …
COMMENTARY: I Just Have to Outrun You
During a camping trip, Sam and Tom saw a bear coming their way. Sam started to take off his backpack and told Tom he was going to run for it. When his surprised friend said, “You can’t outrun a bear,” Sam replied, “I don’t have to outrun the bear. I just have to outrun you.” Sadly, this look-out-for-number-one mentality is …
COMMENTARY: If I Could Give You Anything
It’s a tradition during a bat or bar mitzvah ceremony for parents to deliver specific blessings to their child. I wrote a poem for my daughter Abrielle a few years ago. I want to share it with you as I think it captures the sort of thing most parents wish they could give their children. If I Could Give You …
VETERAN’S DAY IMAGES: SAY THANK YOU TO A VETERAN.
If you know someone who has or is serving his or her country in uniform take a moment to experience and express gratitude for their service.
COMMENTARY: Ask What Can You Do for Your Country
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy, invoked my generation to “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” We are fortunate to live in a free and democratic society where millions of civilians and soldiers serve their fellow citizens.Today is Veteran’s Day and the weekend provided the nation a special …
OBSERVATIONS: 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month
To Americans, the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month has special meaning as a time to acknowledge and honor the men and women who have served their country in the military. Government employees and many others benefit from a special holiday – Veteran’s Day – a formal recognition of the sacrifices and service of their fellow …
COMMENTARY: The Trust of Our Children
There’s no doubt about it: Trust is an asset to any relationship and distrust an enormous liability. But thinking of trust in terms of its practical value can demean and distort its true significance as an endorsement of our character and as a sign of our worthiness. I get my clearest vote of trust when I stop to appreciate the …
COMMENTARY: The Value of Trust
A teenager wants to go to a party, but she’s sure her mom won’t let her. So she and her friend concoct a false cover story. What’s the big deal? Most kids lie to their parents from time to time,
COMMENTARY: Don’t Miss the Chance
A listener got me thinking about the challenge of dealing with aging parents who become more and more needy and the conflicts one is bound to feel. It motivated me to write this poem: Don’t Miss the Chance They said I was lucky my mom lived near, But she was pretty old and it wasn’t so clear. Sure, I was …
COMMENTARY: There Are Two Kinds of People
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who think there are two kinds of people in the world and those who think those who think there are two kinds of people in the world are self-righteous jerks. A listener called me to task concerning a story about a man who told his son there are two kinds …