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WITandWISDOM(tm) – June 1, 2006 ISSN 1538-8794 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius power and magic in it. Begin it now. - Johann von Goethe Source: Inspire, http://www.inspirelist.com/ ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: Years ago a Southern woman was in one of my workshops. When asked to tell a story that impacted her character, she described an incident when she was only five. She was at her grandfather's house all dressed up in a white dress with a crinoline and new gloves, proud as she could be. Her granddaddy told her she could go into the kitchen and get herself a special cookie. Next to the cookies was a stack of quarters. Sure that no one was looking, she took a quarter. When she returned with her cookie, her granddaddy asked her to show him her gloves. She held out only her left hand and he said, "Show me the other hand." When she reluctantly did so and revealed the quarter, she immediately saw disappointment in her grandpa's eyes. He paused a moment and then he "hugged me up" and said, "Darlin', you can have anything in the world that I have, but it breaks my heart that you would ever steal it." Some 50 years later, this story of how her granddaddy gave her the gift of conscience still brought tears to her eyes. Few things have as large an impact on shaping the values of a child as the sting of lovingly administered shame. It helps define right from wrong and gives a powerful emotional dimension to issues of ethics and character. Kids, and adults for that matter, learn from their mistakes. Parents, teachers and coworkers can hold others accountable and remind them of their moral obligations without humiliating or condemning them. What we can't do is just let it go, unless we want to send the message that it's OK. What we allow we encourage and we should never encourage anything other than moral excellence. This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts. © 2006 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 http://www.charactercounts.org ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: Things I'd Like to Hear FROM A STORE CLERK: "The computerized cash register is down. I'll just add up your purchases with a pencil and paper." "We're sorry we sold you defective merchandise. We'll pick it up at your home and bring you a new one or give you a complete refund, whichever you prefer." FROM MY DOCTOR: "Of course I'll come by your house to check on you." "Give me a call at home over the weekend if you're not feeling better." "Sure, come on by this afternoon, we'll work you in." "I'll call ahead and let them know the most you will pay for that test." "Here, take these samples." "Don't worry about it, there's no charge for that." "I recommend you get a second opinion." Submitted by B. B. ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: "I think that I shall never see a billboard lovely as a tree. Perhaps, unless the billboards fall, I'll never see a tree at all." - Ogden Nash Source: Nybble Bi-Weekly Newsletter, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nybble ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: A famous trial lawyer was asked to apologize to the court for some remarks he had made. With dignity, he bowed to the judge and said: "Your Honor is right, and I am wrong, as Your Honor generally is." The judge never figured out whether he should be satisfied with this remark or cite the lawyer for contempt of court. Submitted by Andrew