QUOTATION & IMAGE: Sometimes life doesn’t turn out how you had expected or hoped. That doesn’t mean you can’t or won’t be happy. If you don’t limit yourself to your first version of your life there is always a bright future ahead. If you believe that the best is yet to come you will be right. – Michael Josephson

As joyous as the Xmas season is for so many, it is an especially difficult time for many others who are suffering hardships or loss, feel lonely or disappointed, or have concluded that their dreams will never come true. If you know someone like that please try to include them in a meaningful way to show them they are valued. …

Memo From Michael: Getting the Most Out of Christmas

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 Will Toward Men.” To those who celebrate Christmas, …

Reflections at 71: Life Expectancy, Life’s Expectancies and The Seven Biggest Truths I’ve Learned

(updated December 12, 2013) Where did the time go? I hate clichés like this, but among the things I’ve learned in my 71 years of lurching around life is that these pithy statements became clichés precisely because they are true. Often profoundly so. Looking through the rear view mirror of my life the past feels like a movie played a …

Memo From Michael: Nelson Mandela’s Inspiring Example

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” — Nelson Mandela, at Walter Sisulu’s 90th birthday celebration, Johannesburg, May 18, 2002 I am impressed and deeply moved by the universal wall-to-wall coverage of …

QUOTATION & POSTER: I Got Nothing I Asked For

I asked for STRENGTH – and I got difficulties to make me tough. I asked for COURAGE – and I got risks and hazards to make me brave. I asked for LOVE – and I discovered the pleasure of service. I asked for FAVORS – and I found opportunities to earn my own way. I asked for WEALTH – and …

Sneak Peek at Results of Educators’ Survey

(updated 12/4/13) Almost 4,500 educators (including 2426 teachers, 616 principals, 411 school counselors, 225 superintendents,  and 79 school board members)  have already taken the new Josephson Institute survey on the state of education in America. (If you haven’t already, please take the survey here and please share this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JIEducatorSurvey on Facebook, Twitter or elsewhere to encourage others to take it as well — the …

Eight Sentences That Changed the World: The Aspen Declaration

In July 1992, the nonprofit Josephson Institute of Ethics hosted a 3-day summit of prominent youth leaders, educators and character education scholars in Aspen, Colorado. The result was this declaration, which provided the guiding principles for the CHARACTER COUNTS! movement that currently reaches about 8 million young people. It is clear that the eight sentences making up the Declaration is as …

MEMO From Michael: Sneak Peek – Some Surprising Preliminary Results of Our Educators’ Survey

(Updated 11/26/13) Nearly 4500 educators (76 Board members, 225 superintendents, 616 principals, 2414 teachers and 406 school counselors) have already taken the new Josephson Institute survey on the state of education in America. (If you haven’t already, please take the survey here and please share this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JIEducatorSurvey on Facebook, Twitter or elsewhere to encourage others to take it as well — …

Just Because You Miss Someone

Just because you miss someone doesn’t mean you should be with them. Don’t let your feelings cause you to forget the facts. – Michael Josephson

WORTH SEEING: Poster: The Gift of Goodness

Virtue isn’t a golden ticket to a pain-free life. Bad things happen to good people as often as they happen to bad people. In the natural order of the world, suffering is random. To expect otherwise is to sentence oneself to despondency, disillusionment, bitterness and anger. HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS: The reward you get for being a good person isn’t …

Note From Your Teacher: What I Want for You

NOTE FROM YOUR TEACHER: WHAT I WANT FOR YOU I want for each of you what I want for my own children. I want to help you be happy and healthy. I want you to be successful and confident, strong, resilient, and optimistic. BUT I also want you to be  the best person you can be. I want you to 

WORTH SEEING: Poster: Doing

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