By Michael Josephson of Character Counts (607.2)
In 1968, when Kent M. Keith was a 19-year-old sophomore at Harvard, he wrote the Paradoxical Commandments as part of a booklet for student leaders. He describes the Commandments as guidelines for finding personal meaning in the face of adversity:
* People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
* If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Do good anyway.
* If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
* The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
* Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.
* The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.
* People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
* What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
* People need help but may attack you if you help them. Help people anyway.
* Give the world the best you have and you may get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.
The essence of these Commandments is that each of us must choose to do what we think we should do, even when we think we have good reasons not to. They remind us that we are capable of rising above common practices that demean our nature and our culture.
We can rationalize distorting the Golden Rule as "Do unto others as they have done onto you" or "Do onto others before they do onto you" but, in the terminology of the '60s, we then become part of the problem rather than the solution.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
(c) 2009 Josephson Institute of Ethics; reprinted with permission. Michael Josephson, one of the nation's leading ethicists, is the founder of the Josephson Institute of Ethics and the premier youth character education program, CHARACTER COUNTS! For further information visit www.charactercounts.org.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Commitment towards the future...
"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, "begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now."
by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
As I reflect on turning 47 I look back and count my many blessings, 5 children strike me as my most important contribution to this world. The opportunity to raise children and be an example that influences their lives...the people they marry...future grandchildren...their career paths, friends, and the list goes on!
What an exceptional gift I've received and take very seriously. Each one a unique person that has different needs, strengths and weaknesses. Each requiring me to grow personally in a different area of my life to be whom they need.
What could be more important. Only my relationship with my God, as without that none of this is possible. I am reminded once again that without Him I can do nothing. Immediately after my children Jordan comes to mind. The experiences we shared as God used us to show so many what can happen when you act on faith!
To my wonderful family, I truly have learned that when the bottom falls out...it is your family that is there for you. Thank you Mom, Dad, Wayne, Sharon, Brian (yes even my absentee brother with a huge heart!), and Lisa. Lisa continues to inspire me as she hasn't let her health challenges stop her walk!
Leading a team Independent Business Owners is next on my list....the lives I've had the chance to watch, learn and be influenced by - THANK YOU! Now to all of you on the team; I wish I could find the words to show you my appreciation for giving me the permission to lead you. I do not take this lightly. You motivate me to continue the journey of growth, to aspire to become the best I can to assist you with your leadership development. Oh the many lives that we'll touch.....
To all my extended family, friends, and co-workers...thanks for the part you've played in my life; each of you has brought something into my life to learn. I pray that it has been mutually beneficial.
I am one extremely blessed woman that realizes each new day, each new year is a gift to be unwrapped and savoured for everything can change it a heartbeat! I am looking back this morning to prepare myself for the best that is yet to come. I've heard many people talk about their past longing for the good old days...well I prefer to commit to what our Great God has in store for the coming days! I desire to surrender my life daily; less of me and more of you God! The sense of urgency I feel for reaching others is spurring me on for the second half...
by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
As I reflect on turning 47 I look back and count my many blessings, 5 children strike me as my most important contribution to this world. The opportunity to raise children and be an example that influences their lives...the people they marry...future grandchildren...their career paths, friends, and the list goes on!
What an exceptional gift I've received and take very seriously. Each one a unique person that has different needs, strengths and weaknesses. Each requiring me to grow personally in a different area of my life to be whom they need.
What could be more important. Only my relationship with my God, as without that none of this is possible. I am reminded once again that without Him I can do nothing. Immediately after my children Jordan comes to mind. The experiences we shared as God used us to show so many what can happen when you act on faith!
To my wonderful family, I truly have learned that when the bottom falls out...it is your family that is there for you. Thank you Mom, Dad, Wayne, Sharon, Brian (yes even my absentee brother with a huge heart!), and Lisa. Lisa continues to inspire me as she hasn't let her health challenges stop her walk!
Leading a team Independent Business Owners is next on my list....the lives I've had the chance to watch, learn and be influenced by - THANK YOU! Now to all of you on the team; I wish I could find the words to show you my appreciation for giving me the permission to lead you. I do not take this lightly. You motivate me to continue the journey of growth, to aspire to become the best I can to assist you with your leadership development. Oh the many lives that we'll touch.....
To all my extended family, friends, and co-workers...thanks for the part you've played in my life; each of you has brought something into my life to learn. I pray that it has been mutually beneficial.
I am one extremely blessed woman that realizes each new day, each new year is a gift to be unwrapped and savoured for everything can change it a heartbeat! I am looking back this morning to prepare myself for the best that is yet to come. I've heard many people talk about their past longing for the good old days...well I prefer to commit to what our Great God has in store for the coming days! I desire to surrender my life daily; less of me and more of you God! The sense of urgency I feel for reaching others is spurring me on for the second half...
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Thankful
"I thank my God every time I remember you."1
I have read that "Charles Plumb, a US Naval Academy graduate, was a jet pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent six years in a Vietnamese prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience.
"One day after Plumb gave a presentation, a fellow came up to him and said, 'You don't know me, but I am the person who packed your parachute the day you were shot down.'
"Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man pumped his hand and said, 'I guess it worked!'
"Plumb assured him, 'It sure did. If your chute hadn't worked, I wouldn't be here today.'"
If it weren't for somebody else—perhaps many "somebody elses"—most of us wouldn't be where we are today either. And if it weren't for somebody else telling us about Jesus and his gift of forgiveness and eternal life, most of us wouldn't know him and wouldn't be bound for Heaven. May we ever be mindful and thankful to all who have "folded our parachute" and may we do the same for others.
Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes of ACTS International
I have read that "Charles Plumb, a US Naval Academy graduate, was a jet pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent six years in a Vietnamese prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience.
"One day after Plumb gave a presentation, a fellow came up to him and said, 'You don't know me, but I am the person who packed your parachute the day you were shot down.'
"Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man pumped his hand and said, 'I guess it worked!'
"Plumb assured him, 'It sure did. If your chute hadn't worked, I wouldn't be here today.'"
If it weren't for somebody else—perhaps many "somebody elses"—most of us wouldn't be where we are today either. And if it weren't for somebody else telling us about Jesus and his gift of forgiveness and eternal life, most of us wouldn't know him and wouldn't be bound for Heaven. May we ever be mindful and thankful to all who have "folded our parachute" and may we do the same for others.
Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes of ACTS International
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
How to Deal with Change - wikiHow
How to Deal with Change - wikiHow
This is very interesting. WikiHow - the How-to-Manual That You Can Edit. This encompasses some of the best parts of the internet. Having all this information at our finger tips and an arena in which to share knowledge, experiences and assist our communities to grow.
I firmly believe we were all put here to become life long students. Every experience is an opportunity to learn. When someone mistreats you, you know how awful it felt and therefore can decide to never repeat the behaviour that caused pain.
Life is about Dreams, struggles and victories! The victories are all the sweeter because of the struggles. The struggles only make us stronger as we choose to pursue our dreams. All of this requires a commitment to re-inventing ourselves and understanding that the only constant is change.
"Hold a picture of yourself long and steadily enough in your
mind's eye and you will be drawn toward it. Picture yourself vividly as
winning and that alone will contribute immeasurably to success. Great
living starts with a picture, held in your imagination, of what you would
like to do or be." Harry Emerson Fosdick
What does your future look like?
This is very interesting. WikiHow - the How-to-Manual That You Can Edit. This encompasses some of the best parts of the internet. Having all this information at our finger tips and an arena in which to share knowledge, experiences and assist our communities to grow.
I firmly believe we were all put here to become life long students. Every experience is an opportunity to learn. When someone mistreats you, you know how awful it felt and therefore can decide to never repeat the behaviour that caused pain.
Life is about Dreams, struggles and victories! The victories are all the sweeter because of the struggles. The struggles only make us stronger as we choose to pursue our dreams. All of this requires a commitment to re-inventing ourselves and understanding that the only constant is change.
"Hold a picture of yourself long and steadily enough in your
mind's eye and you will be drawn toward it. Picture yourself vividly as
winning and that alone will contribute immeasurably to success. Great
living starts with a picture, held in your imagination, of what you would
like to do or be." Harry Emerson Fosdick
What does your future look like?
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Believe God for Great Things
With God all things are possible by The Vine.
Matthew 19:26 NIV
The poet wrote, "Beware of those who stand aloof, and greet each venture with reproof. The world would stop if things were run, by those who say, 'It can't be done.'" Refuse to let the word 'impossible' stop you. Jesus said, "With God all things are possible." If those who've changed the world had left every 'impossible' task undone, we'd still be living in the Dark Ages. Here are four examples:
1) German experts predicted that trains travelling at 25 mph would cause severe nose bleeds and the passengers would suffocate going through tunnels. American experts added that we'd need more mental institutions because people would go mad when they saw the first trains.
2) When the YWCA first announced typing classes for women, there was a furious backlash on the grounds that the 'female constitution would deteriorate under such strain.'
3) Experts insisted that iron ships would never float, that the iron would wreak havoc with the compass readings.
4) In 1797, New Jersey farmers denounced the first cast-iron plough, insisting it would poison the land and stimulate weeds. So much for 'experts!'
More of us are persuaded into believing for too little than believing for too much. Vision is essential for survival. And a God-given vision is conceived by faith, sustained by prayer and fuelled by God's Word. It's not about what you can do, but what God can do with your life when it's fully surrendered to Him. It encompasses things outside the realm of the predictable, the safe, and the expected. "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18 AMP). If God has given you a vision; pursue it, and believe Him for great things!
This is my favourite devotional you can Sign Up to Get The Word For Today - Free!
Matthew 19:26 NIV
The poet wrote, "Beware of those who stand aloof, and greet each venture with reproof. The world would stop if things were run, by those who say, 'It can't be done.'" Refuse to let the word 'impossible' stop you. Jesus said, "With God all things are possible." If those who've changed the world had left every 'impossible' task undone, we'd still be living in the Dark Ages. Here are four examples:
1) German experts predicted that trains travelling at 25 mph would cause severe nose bleeds and the passengers would suffocate going through tunnels. American experts added that we'd need more mental institutions because people would go mad when they saw the first trains.
2) When the YWCA first announced typing classes for women, there was a furious backlash on the grounds that the 'female constitution would deteriorate under such strain.'
3) Experts insisted that iron ships would never float, that the iron would wreak havoc with the compass readings.
4) In 1797, New Jersey farmers denounced the first cast-iron plough, insisting it would poison the land and stimulate weeds. So much for 'experts!'
More of us are persuaded into believing for too little than believing for too much. Vision is essential for survival. And a God-given vision is conceived by faith, sustained by prayer and fuelled by God's Word. It's not about what you can do, but what God can do with your life when it's fully surrendered to Him. It encompasses things outside the realm of the predictable, the safe, and the expected. "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18 AMP). If God has given you a vision; pursue it, and believe Him for great things!
This is my favourite devotional you can Sign Up to Get The Word For Today - Free!
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