Like you, I am striving to make a positive difference in the world through what I do, whether at work (as a Learning & OD Guy), at home (husband and father of two young men), or at my faith community (St. Matthias in Somerset NJ).

Recently, I have learned about the work of John Scherer, organizational consultant and Lutheran minister, whose latest book is called Five Questions That Change Everything. (Here’s a link to more info: http://www.the5questions.com/the-book/)

When you wrote, “I don’t have to fix everyone, just me,” I immediately thought of Scherer. His five questions are all about becoming who you are.

Being a question-oriented person, I find myself gravitating toward his five. One of which is: What calls you? He defines it with a further question:

~ What kind of difference would I like to think my life could make in the world?

Keep up asking the great questions, Mike.

Terry

@Rebel – You’ve become a great friend very quickly. I appreciate you too and how you encourage me. It’s fun to know people who truly make a difference. We understand and resist the temptation to judge ourselves by our intentions, but only our actions count. Thanks.

@Walt – We do have a lot in common, except I can’t remain in any authority structure for as long as you. But I know good values when I see them. Let’s keep applying those principles and changing our world. Thanks for your friendship.

Thanks to each of y’all for the great comments. I appreciate you.

Mike…

Thank you for your words.

I believe in many things, first and foremost being treat others as you would wish to be treated … aka The Golden Rule.

I also spent many years in the Jaycees … 20, including 10 years on the USJCC National Headquarters staff.

The 35 words of the Jaycee Creed have guided my life since I was 19:

We Believe:

That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life;

That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations;

That economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise;

That government should be of laws rather than of men;

That earth’s great treasure lies in human personality;

And that service to humanity IS the best work of life.

Through these beliefs, my purpose found me … to be the best I can be, and to help others become better people. Simply put … to help others.

Along the way, I found that honesty, integrity, ethics, morals, and positive values are critical to my having a happy life.

I always expect the best from people, and am honestly disappointed when they show a side other than their best.

As a Boy Scout Leader, I have been able to meld the Scout Oath and Scout Law into my life:

Scout Oath (or Promise)

On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.

Scout Law

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Like you, I have discovered other guiding principles, but these seem to say it as well as anything I have encountered.

In friendship,
Walt