When I heard you this morning expressing (justifiable) fatigue in producing your Character Counts commentaries 5 days a week on KNX and your remark "Whatever happens in the future," I got alarmed. You see, I've been meaning to write you since I first heard your commentaries in 1997! Why? To thank you for providing guidance in an increasingly chaotic, crazy world by reminding us all of the moral, religious and ethical guidelines that many of us were taught and raised with and which give us comfort and compasses in frightening times.
1997 was a very difficult year for me. My mother was slowly dying and I, as her primary caretaker, felt very much alone and terribly stressed by her frailty and pain. I was in a job at the time where my coworkers were more sadistic than empathetic. Trite perhaps but true--your remarks really were a beacon of light for me then as they refresh me even now. You have enormous if unknown (to you) influence on thousands of silent listeners who struggle every day with worries, fears and problems. Please don't retire from writing and broadcasting these very important commentaries. They provide a clear view of what's important and what is not. Thank you.

I just adore you! I listen to you every day in the car. I got all misty-eyed listening to you today. I for one think you have a wonderful, honest, sincere and enlightening view of the world, society and the people in it. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing. PLEASE do not stop.

Michael, I've never heard your radio commentaries; I only read them via e-mail every week. And I just wanted to write to let you know that you inspire many more people than you know. I can't even tell you how many times a reminder from you about candor or kindness or integrity has given me just that extra little nudge I needed to do the right thing at that moment. I am so very grateful to you.
I echo Julie's comment: PLEASE do not stop!

"Inflict!" By all means your commentaries are not inflicting your thoughts on us. Your views are thought-provoking insights into a better society, a better human culture and an elevation of personal achievement and gratification. Your proposed improvements and achievements are not made at the cost of our fellow humans but for the well-being of all. Keep it up as long as you can and long may you live.

It occurred to me that you can't do this forever, and then what? How can we ensure your work continues after you're gone? One ray of hope is TED.org. Check out its videos and audio podcasts. There is a wealth of inspiring content freely available because TED is a forum for important ideas that will make a difference in the world. TED parties are springing up around the world, more and more people are discovering and being inspired by TED talks. You should give a TED talk so more people will discover and be inspired by you. There is tremendous synergy created by TED because it has reached a potent critical mass. You will recognize the names, faces and ideas of a lot of powerful intellects including famous folks like Bill Clinton and Bill Gates, but also people doing astounding work that you've never heard of before. I have no doubt you merit giving a TED talk and that it will substantially boost your profile worldwide and drive considerable traffic to your websites. To that end, I've submitted a nomination for you to be a TED speaker. You can probably self-nominate also, and I'm sure there are hundreds of fans like me who will happily provide a reference. Here are a couple of quotes from the nomination form that I submitted: "Michael Josephson has been promoting character, ethics and virture for 13 years. His commentaries are thoughtful and intelligent, and he is working hard to help people improve their character. Michael is an antidote to the corrosive cynicism that seemingly pervades our society. He reminds us that it's better to be good even when perhaps others are not, that we'll be happier by being a force for good, and why it really works that way."

It will not be the same and it likely will take four people to do the same job, but please train a protege ASAP. You can continue to write the essays once a week (with vacations) for the rest of your life. THANKS. Your work is healing the world one huge step at a time. Please do what you can to find balance. We love and appreciate your dedication.

Mr. Patrick Holmes, I think you have done an excellent job at summarizing Michael's influence on society. I am a recent reader of the Character Counts e-mail letter. I so look forward to reading his commentaries and the input from the readers as well. I don't want him to stop, but at the same time I know this must be very taxing to him and his home life to work and then spend between 12 midnight and 4 am at this as well. As anyone who volunteers knows, too much of it and you reach burnout.

Michael, I say, please do what is best for you. There must be others who can be educated (they are in all probability out there already) to continue this wonderfully fine work and let you have a well deserved rest. Many blessings in your future decisions, whatever they may be.

Michael, I'm a new reader - just found you a few months ago and still have yet to get through all of your archives, but I've come to value and look forward to your daily commentary. Your thoughts and inspirations help remind me to stick to the person I want to be, and moreover, I'm using your commentaries to help inspire a whole new generation by passing many of them on to my stepkids via email. They get little ethical guidance in their home. While they roll their eyes at times at "Stepmom's e-mails," they are becoming better people from these reminders and have even started sharing other "how to live an ethical life" bits back with me that they find in their travels. Thank you so much for helping me connect with my stepkids and influence, even in a small way, the adults they'll become.

There was only one Frank Sinatra. There was only one Mickey Mantle. There was only one Johnny Carson. Did others come to take their place? Of course! But these men (and countless women like them) were one-of-a-kind, just like you. One day you'll hang up your commentaries and take a well-earned rest. I'm hopeful someone of equal character and skill will take your place. But they won't be YOU. Until then, I will cherish your words and live up to the standards you remind us about in your daily efforts. God bless you (and your family) for all you do for us.

I first heard you speak around 1994. I was living in Irvine, CA, at the time, and a local dentist personally sponsored your talk in our community because he valued your message so highly. Two years ago, I found your commentary on the Internet as a work issue convinced all over again how critical ethical thinking is to a good society. Thank you so much!

I have used your program daily as a school counselor. I have learned so much from your commentaries and find great joy in passing them on to 450 students at our 4th, 5th, and 6th grade school. I especially have to say how meaningful your commentaries on caring and forgiveness have meant to me personally.Thank you for all you do and for all you have given of yourself to this very important work.

I oversee a department with over 100 employees. I have gotten so much enlightenment from your columns that on many occasions I have printed a column and placed it on the bulletin board for people to read. I do not tell them I put it there, but I have seen them on many occasions reading the column. I feel if I can help at least one person by posting it, then it's worthwhile. It seems you read our minds. The columns seem to always hit home one way or other. Thank you for your tireless work and everything you put into these columns as you do help shape our society. Thank you again, and keep you the great work!!!

Dear Michael,
I'm very sad that you are stopping your commentaries. Every time I read them I weep for the joy that your knowledge brings to me. I'm one of 9 brothers and sisters. My father died when I was 5, and most of my life I have lived without knowing what character was. But 20 years ago, I started a relationship with Jesus. He became my teacher, father and center of my life. With your commentaries, I have learned how to teach my children about character and trustworthiness. Your kind heart full of compassion is something very hard to find. Today I'm a better wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend because of you.
Muchas gracias!!

Andrea,
Don't worry, Michael has not decided to stop his commentaries. He was just venting at the end of another year of writing them. It's a huge task and he at times wonders if it's worth it, but whenever he gets a sweet letter such as yours, he gets energized once again and resolves to keep plugging on -- and we're all better for it. Thank you for writing.

My girlfriend just had me read the June 23 commentary about kids not being motivated to get a job after they have completed their college education. I have a daughter who is 25 and works 3 jobs to pay her rent because she is afraid to get a job in her career. I also used your line with my son about work isn't supposed to be fun, that's why they call it work! I was so moved about this commentary since I am a college teacher and this was the first year that I was overwhelmed by the lack of manners, morals and ethics that I found myself teaching things I assumed college students would know. I was thrilled to know I could come back to this website and get some pearls of wisdom to share with my next group of students. Today July 9th was the first time I had an opportunity to go into your archives and was horrified that you are considering not doing this. Yikes! I just found you. Please stay and continue to share what we all know to be the truth but don't always have the right words to say. This world needs way more good in it to balance the chaos we all feel.

Congratulations on your 13 years of quality commentaries. Your thoughts are always relevant, worthwhile, and enjoyed very much.

Please continue to provide the food for thought that so many people need today.

I want to thank you for your postings. I don't always take time to read them, but when I do, it helps me to reflect and to keep me pointed in a positive direction. Thanks.

Mr. Josephson,
I am a devoted fan. Your commentaries are one of the bright and refreshing spots of my day. It reminds me that, among all the horror and greed that is usually on the radio, on TV, in blogs and everywhere else there is a person venting and raging, there is one calm and sensible gentleman who is telling me that there is still common sense and sensibility in the world.
Please, never cease your efforts. You are a light in a sometimes dismal world.

Thank you for your commentaries. I listen to them every morning on my way to work. They remind us that there is a better way to live in this world and live in harmony with everybody.
Thank you.

I too am one of those silent readers. I attended a training session and it revolutionized my teaching. Thank you for an ethical stand in an unethical world. God bless you.

In this dismal dark world of ours few people attempt to do what you are doing and teaching others. Today I went to a Faiths Festival at Park Royal Centre for Mental Health, a mental hospital in North West London where I have been a patient for 25 years, a member of staff for 5 years and a faith visitor for about 4 years. At this festival, which has been running for two years now for staff and service-users alike, there was a sheet printed out by the faith coordinator's son. It had a picture of a man on the precipice of steep incline and alongside the picture were some of your immortal words on what life is and is not about. I was in tears when I read them. I immediately showed them to a friend who happily took the paper from me and said he would email me a copy later. I'm now desperately trying to find those words to read out on a radio show that I have been asked to present tomorrow. I thank you for your deep wisdom and may God bless you more and more to write.

Karanodakasayi,

The poem you are referring to is Michael Josephson's "What Will Matter." It can be viewed at:

http://charactercounts.org/michael/2008/12/what_will_matter_5981.html

I just read a book by Art Linkletter, at age 94, and Mark Victor Hansen (of Chicken Soup for the Soul fame) - and it hit me hard. I hope I can follow their advice to make the rest of my life the best of my life.

I think you should too. If you truly enjoy what you are doing, don't think about retiring - instead select the parts you like and delegate the rest. Judging from the comments before me - you are too important to retire now, there are more of us out here than you know and we need you and your good sense ethics.

I want very much to help bring this type of training to schools and churches. I am hopeful, as Santa, perhaps I too can influence a kiddo or two to do the right things and make the right choices. That would please me immensely. I know I can influence kids simply because of the way I look! I hope I can always use my naughty-nice lists as postive reinforcement for good character habits in our younger ones.

Wish you had a division that could help me, and others like me. To be able to show youngsters how to keep on the right tracks.

It is really heartwarming to hear these youngsters really do care and are considerate of others. It assures me - the next generation is gonna be fine. And this has been happening for more than 20 years. But they need to be reminded to hang onto those early ideals - ideals like you and others pronounce.

What you've done in 13 years is monumental. How much more could you do by looking for other ways to get your very important messages to those who really need them over the next, say 30 years.

You know we gotta get them early and often - let's keep doing that and creating more ways to share the better way of life.

My best wishes for whatever you decide.