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I think Samuel Johnson had it right when he observed that hope is itself a species of happiness. So if we want to be happy it only makes sense to discipline ourselves to choose our attitudes, to think positively and to be hopeful.

Michael Josephson

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Michael Josephson
Age: 82
Born: 1942
Born: December 10
Motivational Speaker
Philosopher
Makes
Species
Right
Discipline
Think
Choose
Samuel
Thinking
Attitude
Johnson
Life
Happiness
Attitudes
Happy
Positively
Hope
Observed
Sense
Hopeful

More quotes by Michael Josephson

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What a person says and does in ordinary moments when when no one is looking reveals more about true character than grand actions taken while in the spotlight. Our true character is revealed by normal, consistent, everyday attitudes and behavior, not by self-conscious words or deeds or rare acts of moral courage.
Michael Josephson
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A certain formula for an unhappy life is pursue someone else's definition of success. Until you define your own goals and purposes your life is not your own and there can be no sense of fulfillment no matter how much you achieve.
Michael Josephson
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Our expectation of the gratitude of others for what we've done for them is sometimes exaggerated because of our deep desire for appreciation and approval. When our good work or good deeds go unrewarded by hoped for praise, we feel like failures so we treat those who denied us our due as betrayers.
Michael Josephson
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Character is the moral strength to do the right thing even when it costs more than you want to pay.
Michael Josephson
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Gratitude is most treasured when it is unexpected. When we expect, even demand gratitude, we treat it simply as payment due for some service we rendered and we squeeze any good feeling out of it.
Michael Josephson
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If you want to be happy, learn to be alone without being lonely. Learn that being alone does not mean being unhappy. The world is full of plenty of interesting and enjoyable things to do and people who can enrich your life.
Michael Josephson
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What you allow you encourage.
Michael Josephson
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The key to a better life: Complain less, appreciate more. Whine less, laugh more. Talk less, listen more. Want less, give more. Hate less, love more. Scold less, praise more. Fear less, hope more.
Michael Josephson
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The key to success is effort. The bigger the goal, the greater the effort.
Michael Josephson
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If you pay too much attention to your reputation, you could lose your character.
Michael Josephson
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Our character is revealed by how we treat people who cannot help us or hurt us.
Michael Josephson
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There's a hole in the moral ozone and it's getting bigger.
Michael Josephson
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Pretty isn't beauty. Pretty is how you look Beauty is who you are. Pretty is in the face and body Beauty is in the heart, mind and soul. Pretty fades Beauty grows.
Michael Josephson
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No leader or organization can achieve breakout growth until it treats, we've always done it this way as an opportunity to think anew rather than as a reason to stop thinking. Keep in mind, tradition should be a guide, not a jailer.
Michael Josephson
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It isn't the absence of conscience or values that prevents us from being all we should be, it is simply the lack of moral courage.
Michael Josephson
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Physical courage to a person of honour is easier and less risky than acts that could subject him to embarrassment or humiliation or a diminished career or reputation. These things he must live with. To die for honor is an easier thought to bear.
Michael Josephson
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Character is both formed and revealed by how one deals with everyday situations as well as extraordinary pressures and temptations. Like a well-made tower, character is built stone by stone, decision by decision.
Michael Josephson
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Character is ethics in action.
Michael Josephson
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Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day.
Michael Josephson
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I am grateful for all those people who said no. It is because of them that I did it myself. Practice an attitude of gratitude. You can either be miserable dwelling on the troubles you have or grateful for the ones you don't have. Your troubles don't care but it makes a huge difference in your life.
Michael Josephson