Insights About Parenting, Education, Character, and Ethics
Ethics does not demand a life if self-sacrifice nor require us to ignore our desires and needs. It does expect us to care about right and wrong, to know the difference between what we want to do and what we should do, and muster the moral courage to do what is right. – Michael Josephson Subscribe to a weekly newsletter featuring …
The road to your dreams awaits Set a GOAL. Make a PLAN. Make it HAPPEN. Read more of Michael Josephson‘s thoughts on setting goals here: https://whatwillmatter.com/2016/09/commentary-a-lifetime-of-setting-and-changing-goals/
Passover and Easter – Crisp as Matzoh Descriptions of the Last Supper and the Contemporary Holiday Happy Passover and Happy Easter to all those celebrating either or both of these important holidays. Christians know Passover as the the setting for the Last Supper. Though Christians do not still celebrate Passover, modern Jews still do and the nerdy professor in me …
There is nothing less productive than to make more efficient what should not be done at all. – Peter Duker
The Importance of Being Nice It’s NICE to be important But it’s more IMPORTANT to be nice – Sir John Marks Tempelton
I spent Sat morning giving a special tutorial for high school and middle school students in Downey, CA (a CC! district) to teach them effective and constructive activism – becoming effective difference makers. Taught them the CC! problem-solving strategy – same one I will be introducing to Cal Police Chiefs next Monday. We need more engaged responsible citizenship and more …
This Saturday, Michael Josephson was honored to speak to a group of student leaders in Downey, CA on how to become an effective difference maker and productive student activist in their school and their community. Please enjoy the presentation Michael shared with the students here
If one door to opportunity closes, find another. There are more doors than you need. Just keep looking until you find the right one. – Michael Josephson Subscribe to a weekly newsletter featuring articles and quotes of Michael Josephson at www.whatwillmatter.com
Just because you miss someone doesn’t mean you should be with them. Don’t let your feelings cause you to. Read more of Michael Josephson‘s thoughts on relationships here: https://whatwillmatter.com/2016/04/commentary-823-2-fixing-toxic-relationships/
CHARACTER EDUCATION IS INDISPENSABLE TO EFFECTIVE ACADEMIC EDUCATION. By Michael Josephson There is mounting evidence that core character traits producing emotional intelligence and “grit” are better indicators of school and life success than pure academic achievement, including grades and standardized test scores. It’s obvious that knowledge itself is not enough. The information and cognitive skills taught by schools need to …
“Regret for wasted time is more wasted time.” – Mason Cooley Subscribe to a weekly newsletter featuring articles and quotes of Michael Josephson atwww.whatwillmatter.com
If you love learning, you’ll never be bored.
True friends always forgive each other because their friendship is more important than anything they were upset about. – Michael Josephson Read more of Michael’s thoughts on friendship here: https://whatwillmatter.com/2016/12/the-treasure-of-old-friends/
True happiness may be sought, thought, or caught — but never bought. Read more of Michael Josephson‘s thoughts on happiness here: https://whatwillmatter.com/2017/01/happiness-is-more-than-fun-and-pleasure/
Ask yourself if what you are doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow. Read more of Michael’s thoughts on setting goals and living the life you want here:https://whatwillmatter.com/2016/09/commentary-a-lifetime-of-setting-and-changing-goals/
THINGS YOU CAN DO TO IMPROVE THE WORLD Instead of putting people in their place, put yourself in your place. Empathy and understanding is the medicine that will cure what ails all. – Michael Josephson Subscribe to a weekly newsletter featuring articles and quotes of Michael Josephson at www.whatwillmatter.com
FIXING WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS If you have been following the tragic drama of the Larry Nassar abuse of female athletes, particularly gymnasts, you should know as part of a recovery plan, USA Gymnastics has gathered the owners of the most influential gymnastic clubs in Indianapolis to confer with Exec Director. The smartest of them all is Anne Fell Josephson (back row, …
Astonishing how much can be done by people who choose to make the best of a bad hand given them. Resilience, the ability to endure and overcome adversity is vital to perseverance which is vital to achievement and a positive attitude that allows folks who have suffered terrible misfortune to not merely survive but to thrive.
INVOCATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS Though you will not always be appreciated and you will be occasionally maligned, NEVER DOUBT THAT YOU ARE SOCIETY’S INDISPENSABLE GUARDIAN. It is your sacred responsibility and privilege to protect and serve all the men, women and children in your community without expectation of praise or gratitude, to provide order and security, safeguard life and …
“Worry less about being sure others know how you feel and more about what you say and do to make others feel.” – Michael Josephson Subscribe to a weekly newsletter featuring articles and quotes of Michael Josephson at www.whatwillmatter.com
Don’t let others DEFINE YOU Don’t let the past CONFINE YOU Take charge of your life with CONFIDENCE and DETERMINATION And there are no limits on what you can do or be – Michael Josephson Subscribe to a weekly newsletter featuring articles and quotes of Michael Josephson atwww.whatwillmatter.com
When life gives us lemons we can make lemonade (the perfect metaphor for turning misfortune or disappointment into something better) Or squirt the juice into our own or other’s eyes (a metaphor for making things worse). The problems of life we call lemons are not always so simple, but we always have a choice to make things better or worse.
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shorted. Happiness has never decreased by being shared. – Buddha
Ordinary people even weak people can do extraordinary things through temporary courage generated by a situation but the person of character does not need the situation to generate his courage, it is a part of his being and a standard approach to all life’s challenges. — Michael Josephson
Courage in action is often nothing more than the choice to do something that is risky because there is a stronger driving motivation, one that makes the risk less important than the thing sought. It could be noble as with honor, patriotism or the protection of family or it could be anger, a desire for revenge or unbridled ambition. — Michael …
Life is about perspective Two men looked out of prison bars. One saw mud and the other saw stars.
Successful or not, acts of physical courage always bring honor. It is the much smaller forms of valor, standing up for principle at the risk of social disapproval, economic loss or injury to career that require the greatest moral will power. There is little upside to winning and a significant and often lasting downside to losing. — Michael Josephson
Halsey’s Moving Speech at the NYC Women’s March Have you seen this moving poem from singer Halsey, yet? Truly moving. I encourage everyone to take the time to watch it and share with your family and friends. Incredibly strong. I’m woke — if you’re not, wake up! I know my posts on this issue add nothing of weight to the …
BRAVE WOMEN. Judge Rosemarie Aquilina’s message to dozens of female victims who were molested by official USA Gymnastics doctor during sentencing hearing in Michigan: “You are not broken. You are strong. You are the voice of so many people. … You are not a victim any longer. Do not let it define you. Go out and do great things in …
Hold yourself more accountable. Awkowldege the wounds you’ve inflicted and the mistakes you’ve made and make amends. Make it easier for others to do the same. – Michael Josephson
