Life’s Philosophy
Wow, Life’s Philosophy? Life is so big, it's tough to summarize.
You may think half the world is brain-dead, but in truth, there is brilliance standing on every corner, or hiding in your computer. Just for starters, listen to Rick Rigsby’s speech about the lessons he learned from a third-grade dropout. Double wow. And I like to think about some of his thoughts. Like it doesn’t matter how long you live, it’s How You Live. That you’re not judgmental, that you show up early, (it’s better to be an hour early than a minute late, or if you arrive somewhere on time—you’re late.!) that it’s never wrong to do the right thing, and a great line: Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity.
Admiral McRaven's Book
Then, besides Mr. Rigsby’s jewels of wisdom, I’m a great believer in Admiral McRaven’s book and commencement address: “Make Your Bed: Little things that can change your life…and Maybe the world.” It’s based on the ten important things he learned as a Navy SEAL. And I’m a believer. His first lesson is Make Your Bed. You start your day by taking something that’s messed up and
making it orderly and neat.
The Golden Rule:
Do Unto Others As You Would Have Others Do Unto You
Now, I tell you, lay that on a 4 or 5-year-old, and they might nod yes, but inwardly they're going to say, Huh? I liked the thought it conveyed but didn't like the combination of words, so I rewrote it, for myself, and my daughters. Just five words, and two of them are four-letter words. No, none of those naughty words you're thinking right now. Remember there are a lot of perfect four-letter words: Love, Help, Pray, Save. Anyway, back to my Golden Rule, and it's really easy to follow: You Get What You Give. Think about that. If you give a helping hand, a non-judgmental ear to listen, and an understanding heart... that's what you get back. If all you do is criticize, and complain, and demand and persecute others, guess what, they give you all that back, or to say it colloquially, it comes back to bite you in the, ahem, behind.
Much of my Philosophy about life came from a terrific woman. I called her, Mom.
So my P.O.V. isn’t always earth-shattering. But I would hope it is Earth-Calming. I want to be helpful. I want to help solve problems, not create them. I want to produce books and scripts that entertain (if that’s the goal) or inform and educate—share good advice for living a better, more satisfying life. You’ll like this. I have a favorite quote—my mantra—from a worldly turn of the Century wit, Noel Coward: “Work is more fun than fun.” Truer Words were never so cleverly spoken. Wanna share philosophies? And I never forget the motivation moments from Mom—Mary Grace White Flaherty from Centralia, Illinois. She made me who I am. I still live by her belief in The Golden Rule, which I rewrote: You get What you give. We were best friends to her final goodbye at 85.