It’s hard for some folks to take off their political glasses with lenses that like or dislike, see or not see, according to political predispositions. I think it’s important to remove these glasses when thinking about the nature of the experience that men and women who serve in the armed forces may be subjected to. This story, oft told by …
ANNOUNCEMENT: Who Gets to Go to Lunch? Please vote.
When my radio commentaries were canceled by KNX, a radio station in Los Angeles, listeners were invited to write short essays on what the commentaries have meant to them. The authors of the top five essays will be invited to a special lunch. I was amazed to receive 76 essays — all personally moving. I loved them all and couldn’t …
WORTH READING: Here’s to the Heroes
Here’s to the heroes Those few who dare, Heading for glory,’ Living a prayer. Here’s to the heroes Who change our lives. Thanks to the heroes, Freedom survives. Here’s to the heroes Who never rest. They are the chosen, We are the blessed. Here’s to the heroes Who aim so high. Here’s to the heroes Who do or die. Here’s …
Land of the Free
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” — Elmer Davis
OBSERVATION: “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.” — Helen Keller.
Pessimism and optimism are not just ways we predict the future; these attitudes profoundly affect the future. Pessimism makes our disposition dark and gloomy. Optimism is a source of light and energy for everyone in range of its power. Both are contagious. It’s true that some people are more naturally optimistic, cheerful, and hopeful than others but even people with …
OBSERVATION: I Changed My Mind – What do you think?
In this week’s newsletter you will read a commentary, “Say It Ain’t So, Joe,” where I argued that we should give the benefit of the doubt to legendary coach Joe Paterno, who should have done more to assure that the accusation that former coach Jerry Sandusky raped a young boy in a Penn State shower room was brought to the …
The Commentary Essay Contest: We Need Your Help to Choose the Winners!
Earlier this fall, Michael Josephson announced a special contest. To mark the end of his 14 years of daily commentaries on KNX-AM1070 radio in Los Angeles, he invited listeners to write short essays on how his radio commentaries had make a positive impact on their lives. The five winners will enjoy a private luncheon with Michael. We received more than …
OBSERVATION: Necessity is not a fact, it’s an interpretation. – Nietzsche
When good people do bad things they usually have convinced themselves it’s not bad. One of the most common justifications is that “I had to do it.” That the stakes were so high it was necessary. This rationalization is a form of the idea that “the end justifies the means” and is at the root of every cover-up from Watergate …
OBSERVATION: You can’t control the winds, but you determine your direction and speed if you control the sails.
You can’t control what people say to you or do to you but you control how you feel about and react to what they say and do. You can’t control the demands and expectations of others, but you control which to live by and which to ignore. You can’t control who has opinions on how you live your life, but …
OBSERVATION: In a democracy, every citizen is a public official.
Former Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who was used to partisan politics and intense debates, pointed out that, “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.” When we instinctively choose to believe what we want to believe or construe all evidence in favor of our predispositions, we effectively disable our ability to participate in rational discourse. If
OBSERVATION: Carpe Diem!
Two thousand years ago, the Roman poet Horace advised his readers to “think of each day as if it were to be your last,” and to seize the day (Carpe Diem!) because you cannot trust what tomorrow will bring. His purpose was not to instill pessimism and fear but to urge us to find joy in each day and to …
OBSERVATION: Enjoy the struggle
F. Scott Fitzgerald said that the most profoundly redeeming qualities of life are found not in moments of pure happiness or pleasure, but in the deeper satisfactions that come out of struggle. The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard put it another way: “Life must be understood backward, but lived forward.” Thus, we need to regularly remind ourselves to learn from the …
OBSERVATION: There are lots of legit white lies that don’t hurt anyone and don’t damage trust, but an awful lot do.
Never, never be casual about lying. It is a risky business. Good intentions are not enough. In the end, trust is more important than truth and trust is fragile. So next time you think about telling a “little white lie” ask yourself: if the truth comes out, will the person lied to say thank you for caring or will they …
Please spread the word – help us build our online community
Help us make a difference! There are three important ways to receive our messages and stay engaged with our mission. We hope you will do all three or at least one: become a fan of the Michael Josephson Facebook page and the CHARACTER COUNTS! Facebook page, and subscribe to and regularly visit the What Will Matter website, and receive our weekly …
Just arrived in Lagos, Nigeria, a few hours ago.
I’m anxious to learn about the people and culture, and to move beyond the stereotype of Internet fraudsters. In researching the country and culture, I came across a fantastic YouTube video of a speech by Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie, one of Nigeria’s most profound and mesmerizing literary voices. In it, she warned of the dangers in hearing a single story about …
GOING TO NIGERIA!
In a few hours I am leaving for Nigeria! I have some high level meetings in Abuja with govt folks re: bringing CC! to Federal Unity schools, a speech at the Nigerian Institute for International Affairs in Lagos (10am Saturday Oct 29 — all are welcome) and a two day workshop for 25 private schools that are adopting CC! If …
A Personal Note
Change is risky. Some will always love the old way while others crave new things and variety. This new format for our newsletter and the blog behind it are the result of the change caused by the loss of one of my major platforms for communication – daily broadcasts on KNX radio in Los Angeles. This format represents our attempt …