In this day when character seems in short supply, Michael’s commentaries are a beacon in the darkness. And while I don’t always agree with him or the readers, they always make me rethink my positions. I am a better person because of that. It is this opportunity to exchange views that is perhaps the greatest value of these commentaries. It is not surprising that Michael may occasionally question his impact – after many years at the same job, don’t we all? I hope Michael will continue his commentaries and everyone else continue to voice their views. Individually we CAN make a difference! Together we WILL make a difference! Thank you to everyone!

Your comment just reminded me that I have been meaning to let you know how much I enjoy your comments almost every day. I find them uplifting and like Calvin, better than a vitamin. Thanks for the lift and please continue to let others know that we are on this earth to serve others.

Warmest regards,

Joel Clements
Chairman, President and CEO
First State Bank
Waynesboro, MS

Just want to let you know I enjoy your comments. I found them very uplifting and reminded me what really matters in life. Thank you for the inspiration.

Thank you for your little stories. I feel better when I hear your voice.

Each morning I look forward to hearing your commentaries. Occasionally they hit pretty close to home, but in almost every commentary there is something I can take away and apply to my personal growth, relationships, reactions or attitudes to those around me. Truly, you help so many of us become better people by raising our awareness. Sometimes, just restating the obvious is enough to ensure we take the right path. As Calvin so succinctly stated, they are better than vitamins.
Thanks so very much for reaching out and making a difference.

I have been an avid listener of Michael Josephson on LA's KNX-1070 for years. I don't get to listen to you every day, but when I do hear your commentary, Michael, my day is better for it. I also know you've made a difference to my family.

My youngest son will be graduating from college this Sunday. As this special day draws near, I find myself reflecting back to when my two boys were young and I would drive them to school every day. I cherished these early morning drives as opportunities for us to be together without too many distractions, to discuss the day ahead, and to encourage each other before we each went about our daily activities. The only distraction allowed to interfere with our early morning car chats was when you came on the air. We always made time to listen to your commentary.

I must admit, I often wondered if my boys really understood your messages, and I wondered if I was doing more harm than good when I made them stop our conversation for 90 seconds to listen to you. I knew your commentaries made a difference to me, and I hoped some of what you said would stick and re-enforce the life lessons I tried to convey.

Eventually, my oldest son became an Eagle Scout. I listened in amazement as he gave his own life lessons commentary at his Eagle Scout ceremony during his senior year in high school. That was six years ago now, but there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him in his Eagle Scout uniform in front of an audience of admiring family, teachers, coaches and friends saying "I thank my Mom for instilling in me that Character Counts."

Today my oldest son wears the uniform of a US Marine. He called me on the phone this morning to let me know that today he would have his first flight as a jet fighter pilot, and tomorrow he will be coming home on leave to attend his younger brother's college graduation.

As my youngest son graduates college on Sunday, top in his class in the School of Economics at the University of San Diego, I know for sure that your messages were heard, Michael. I know that your messages, in some way, helped my boys become the outstanding young men they have grown up to be. I know you made a difference.

God bless you, Michael Josephson.

I am a high school teacher who was fortunate enough to work with some other amazing colleagues this past year on implementing a character education class for all students in our building grades 6-12. It was not easy, but we worked, encouraged, supported and used plenty of patience to get all the teachers through the year. We recently voted as a staff to discontinue the class for next year. Needlesss to say, I am disappointed personally and professionally, and I was ready to walk away from everything except my responsibilities in my classroom. After reading some of these commentaries, I am reminded why we did what we did, and I think after a summer to recharge my batteries I will be able to come back next school year and tackle the character issue again from a different perspective.

What is the point of this message? Thank you, Michael, for reaffirming my belief that this is an important topic, and I am not alone in this pursuit!

I play your podcasts in all six of my office treatment rooms via iTunes over PCs with attached speakers. It's all part of the mind-body education :-) I get no complaints and only compliments.

Dr. Wilkerson
www.digital-doc.com

Thank you so very much for your inspiring words. I am the regional director of a nonprofit foster care and adoption program in Los Angeles. Each week I share your words with our staff, children and families. I wish you could see how deeply your words inspire our team of social workers and therapists. Our foster children benefit every day from your words. Especially during difficult times as these when funding is low, your words become so much more valuable. THANK YOU!

Each week I read the latest commentaries you post and select the ones that touch my heart the most. The ones I select get put into my Character Counts file, and I send them to friends, coworkers and family members when I hear a story they tell me that reminds me of a commentary I read.

I recently sent one to a coworker who was faced with a coaching choice at a Little League game. His son was on his team, and they were down to the last inning and ahead by only one. A boy on his team hit a home run, and as he ran around third, the team and coach ran out to greet him. By doing so, they broke the rule disallowing anyone to enter the field, interfere or touch a runner. He hesitated to call it out to the umpire, but his moral fiber reminded him that honesty in front of his son and team was first and foremost. He told the umpire, and the runner was called out. This angered the team and parents, who called him names and degrading remarks. He walked away doubting his choice. When the crowd continued to make comments after the game, he left the field and returned home fearing violence might ensue. When he told me the story, I told him that being honest and setting the example of following the rules was more important than letting the runner go.

I then remembered your story about a man and his son who were at a game, and his son was called out. The father called the umpire names and heckled him. In the end, the boy questioned his father's comments and confessed that he was truly out and the umpire's call had been a good one. I sent the story to the coach and reminded him it was for his son and the kind of man he would become because of this situation when a difficult choice had to be made. Please keep doing what you do for all of us who like to be reminded that morals still exist in society.

No, you aren't chasing windmills.

Your influence extends in ways and places you'll never know. When I interviewed a third-grade girl today for our NSOC award, she said she liked our school because "character is kind of bigger than everything here."

That's because your CDS training inspired me back in the fall of 2000 to be better than I was and to spread the word.

Keep those commentaries coming!

I make sure I am in the car (on the way to work) every morning before your valuable 90 second lesson of my day airs.
I am grateful to you and your insight.
Thank You!

You brighten up my mornings and i look forward to listening to your commentaries. Even the repeat ones are great. I save some of the best ones and reflect back and share with friends and family.

You are an amazing individual and i appreciate your commentaries.

Thanks Michael Josephson for helping people realize why character counts!

Carole Tokudomi

Michael,
I don't listen to your broadcasts, but do receive the periodic emails and I never fail to find SOMETHING that lifts me up. Thanks for doing what you do. Keep it up!

Coach Ron Welch
Women's basketball
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MI

It's so refreshing to get this newsletter in my inbox! I am true believer in teaching our children that CHARACTER COUNTS ... not only in word but deed.

Our 8 yr old son made us so proud a few weeks ago. School rules dictate no electronics in school but there are many children who bring them anyway. At first the children would say, "it's not fair! "Johnny" brings his", but my husband and I would explain that it's often hard to follow the rules when others don't, but we still must! We used the analogy of people driving down the street the wrong way and what chaos and damage it causes.

Our son came home a few weeks ago and said that two of his friends were playing with their "DS's" and that they were urging him to bring in his ... he told them that the school rules said "No DS's" so they said, just do it anyway ... to which he replied, "my mom and dad said that it's wrong to break the rules just 'cos someone else does" and they said, "just sneak it in your backpack, without telling your parents" to which he replied .. "I'm not that kind of boy!!" I can't tell you how proud we were that he not only stuck to his guns, but that he was so confident expressing why!

Keep up the good work, you ARE changing the world!

I truly am grateful for your 90-second blurbs. It has made my life better, and I appreciate the whole idea of Character Counts.

I just want to commend your effort and advice. They stick to my mind every second reminding me of my character. God bless you. I am really inspired by your writeups. Keep it up and keep sending them to me. I appreciate them.