Every morning I listen to the radio on my way to work today, I heard "giving the gift of gratitude" and it inspired me to write to you. I would like to say thank you for another comment you made a few weeks ago. You stated "it is easier to stay out, then get out". Well, my husband-to-be and I have been talking about having a baby but a huge concern of mine was the fact that I was a smoker. I decided one to stop cold turkey and was having a tough time sticking to it. But then, I heard your few little words and every time I had the urge for a cigarette, I thought "it's easier to stay out, then get out" and I think of that every single time I even think of smoking. Your few simple words have made a huge difference in my life and I repeat this quote to alot of people, hoping it will help someone else the way it helped me. Thank you very much for your wonderful thoughts and all the best to you :) and who ever says you're messages don't count, must not realize that your character counts to alot of people :)

I have been listening to you for a while, I for one think and do believe that, you are single handedly are making a huge difference and will change this profit driven society of ours. Every thing you say in your show and write in your site, I grew up hearing from my father. I grew up with and around local Heroes, I was taught the art of giving, caring and put other need before my own and to be a true sentinel of our surroundings. For a long time I felt alone with my values but you change that. Thank you for being you and thank your parents raising you properly.

I have truly enjoyed your commentaries and feel that you are providing a tremendously beneficial service for the public.

I just wanted to say, thank you.

Michael,
As I read your Commentary, I am constantly reminded of my responsibility to help my children, ages 7 and 10, to help them develop their character. More so, it helps me be aware of the different areas in our lives that go into and effect our character. It is sad to me that people in our society can read your postings and find Don Quixote tilting at windmills, a salmon swimming up stream or a voice in the wilderness. I know I don't need to tell you this, but keep up the good work. It not only helps my children, but my whole family and community as well.
Tim

As the others have said, you make a differance and you inspire me to make a differance. Thank you for your efforts and intention.

And to all the other readers and supporter, thank you. Each one of you makes a differance by caring enough to be involved in this effort.

I am a new reader of your letters. It helps me in many respects: Improve my English, organize my thoughts and ideas, and provides me the enthusiasms to keep trying to be a good person every day. I am passing out this website to my relatives and friends. Thanks
ps: I like to write letters and or notes to try to express what I can't do verbally, however, I found that people (my ex-wife) save those notes to nail me down later in our marriage time. How can we change a person to try to avoid suing your most sincere thoughts and ideas to hurt you back when feeling like it, do you have any letters covering this issue
Supporter of your letters.

As one of the Begees' songs said, "It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away." With words we can make people laugh or we can make them cry. With words we can inspire some to noble deeds of greatness, or, if so inclined, to dastardly deeds of evil. Your words, Michael, are those that inspire open souls to noble deeds of greatness.

So, keep writing, keep speaking, and keep inspiring even though some of your words, like seeds, will fall on stony ground, some by the wayside, some among thorns, but some will fall on good ground and produce a hundredfold.

With your permission I quote one of your "Character Counts" comments on my "Weekend Encounter" which goes to over 10,000 subscribers worldwide every week. Thus, some of your words are producing a thousandfold.

Know that your words are greatly valued and as such, you are greatly appreciated. You are doing an invaluable service to mankind.

As an elementary PE teacher, I am constantly trying to get kids to see the "big picture" concerning Sports. The "big picture" being SPORTSMANSHIP is the #1 objective! I too often feel like I'm fighting a losing battle -- With many coaches, and parent coaches having the "win at all costs" attitude. But, I realize that if I can reach just a few that hopefully when they grown up and truly understand the "big picture" then maybe they can pass the "big picture" on to the next generation.
Thanks for all of your positive and inspiring thoughts . . they help me to realize that I'm not alone!

I use parts of your commentaries to illustrate points in my training classes or sometimes one becomes the inspiration for a training exercise. I keep my favorites referenced for my 10-year-old daughter to copy when she needs a lesson on character. After she copies the story, we spend time talking about what it means and why I gave her the task. Remember the Chicken Soup story about the starfish? The man asked the boy why he was bothering to throw a starfish back in the ocean when there were so many washed up on the shore it couldn't possibly make a difference. He replied, "It made a difference to that one!" You never know...

Dear Michael,

I am an avid reader of your commentaries and even had a chance to attend a conference where you were speaking. I absolutely love, love, love your commentaries and the inspirtation they give to be ethical and to have character that one can be proud of. I've begun sharing them with family and coworkers because I really believe that this is so important and I want to give them food for thought. It is icing on the cake to find out that your birthday is one day after mine. Here is a wish for a very Happy 65th Birthday! May God continue to grant you wisdom in everything you do.

thank you very much for your dedication in spreading messages of affirmation. It matters so much. It is a living reminder that our character indeed matter so much. Keep up the good work. Be a beacon of hope through your life-giving words. God Bless

Dear Mr. Josephson,I try and listen to your radio broadcasts every morning on my way to work to get started on the right foot that morning for I get more from listening to your voice and intonation than just reading these e-mails. However, I often miss the time they're on my local radio station but know that I will still be able to read all of the commentaries through this newsletter. I pass this onto my daughters each week for their reading enjoyment and consideration and save them for future reference and consideration on my own part. My journey in life has been brightened and challenged by many of your commentaries. You will never know the impact you had had on my life and the lives of many people around you. Thanks and keep up this very important and meaningful work!

Yes, I know your 90 second talks DO make a difference - they have made a difference in my life, and probably those around me. I am in a position of some influence as a director for a non-profit professional association and for two years as president I wrote a column in their newsletter. I shared some of your stories and those were the only times people actually complimented me on the column. I also find that when I face a posibble volatile, difficult, or ethical situation, I often ask myself "what would Michael say about this situation" and "is my responding action or words the high road or the low road". More often now I choose the high road of honor, respect, integrity, compromise and love. I remember clearly your story about the man and the boy walking on the beach and the stranded starfish. It DOES MATTER what each of us does every day. Your editorials make me want to be a better person and I now strive to be like the boy - helping just one starfish at a time.

Hi! I'm from the Philippines and also working with a non-profit organization here in my country. Maybe it was with divine intervention that I chanced upon your website to help me finally decide whether to teach Values Education or not. I believe you're heaven-sent so that you can inspire a lot of people from all walks of life, from all parts of the globe to live a worthy life.
I agree with you that character really counts!!!
God bless you and more power to you and to all your hardworking staff.

Dear Michael,

The Biblical voice of one crying in the wilderness was preparing the way of the Lord. And if salmon didn't swim upstream, there wouldn't BE a next generation. Michael, PLEASE keep doing what you're doing--it's so important!

Dear Mr. Josephson, Thank you once again for your wonderful commentaries. My eighth grade students and I appreciate your stories, words of wisdom, and your sharing of others who indeed make a difference for all of us. I read those segments that are appropriate for my students and they too find a meaningful insight as to good people with excellent character.

Sincerely, Roger Adams, Saint Andrew's School, 13601 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga, CA. 95070

Michael --

Don't ever give up! It IS worth it. I can't remember now exactly how I came upon your writings and your website, but I haven't been the same since. Every time I read something of yours, it teaches me something, or reinforces something I already believe.
Thanks for doing what you do...

I always look forward to receiving your insight into character count. It has served to inspire me to try and be a better person each day and to live this short life more meaningfully everyday.

These are values that I cherish and treasure and would certainly like to pass them on to my children and from generations to generations.

May God bless you abundantly as you continue to bless others in all that you are doing

marie