Do The Right Thing

For decades I’ve ended each hour of the program with a simple directive. After taking many calls from people who’ve made poor choices and messes in their lives, I close the hour by saying, “Now, go do the RIGHT thing!”

I do this in hopes that listeners who hear the chaos involved in some of these calls learn that it’s better to simply do the right thing from the start. In this week’s Deep Dive episode, "Do The Right Thing,” I want to inspire people to make good choices today to avoid living with regrets tomorrow. Here’s what we’ll discuss in this episode…

“Right things” are not determined by feelings

They’re determined by morals, values, principles, ethics, and the law. You can find opportunities every day to do the right thing. Here are a few examples:

• don’t turn a blind eye to a school bully

• walk the grocery cart back to the return

• pivot conversations away from gossip

• hold yourself accountable

• be the kind of person you'd like to come home to

Unfortunately, a huge problem and one of the downfalls of society is that far too many people are willing to compromise their ethics and values to avoid rocking the boat at work or upsetting the apple cart in their friendships and families. What happens when you’re not sure what the right thing is?

Learn to apply character, courage, and conscience to your decision-making.

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😧 How Could You Do That?!

If you’re looking for more guidance on how to do the right thing, my best-selling book “How Could You Do That?” outlines how you can apply a moral compass to any dilemma.

👨‍👩‍👧 Teaching children about apologies:

Check out this children’s book I read on air in yesterday’s program “But I Said I'm Sorry,” which teaches kids that it takes more than words to make things right.

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My Son Is a Hero

Do you know how your child would respond in a life-or-death situation? Read how Shelly’s son took charge when a friend was in danger:

An amazing thing happened last weekend! My son went to a pool party with his friends, noticed one of his good buddies struggling in the water and jumped in to help him. His friend was literally drowning and was rightfully panicked, so in the process of trying to save him, my son was being drowned himself.

My son told me he knew at that moment that either he or his friend, or both, were going to die.

With tears in his eyes, he said, "Mom, I had to get away from him to catch my breath, but I only left for like 3 seconds." Then he told me as soon as he caught his breath, he swam back to his friend and shoved him as hard as he could until he was in the shallow end. Thankfully, they were both ok, very shaken up, but physically ok.

As I was hearing this story on our way home from the party, I was overwhelmed by many, many things.

Relief that my son was ok. Anger, because where were the adults? Guilt, because I wasn't there. Sadness that my son had gone through such a traumatizing event. But even more than those, pride in my son's courage and quick thinking. 

I asked him why he swam back to his friend when he had almost drowned himself.

He said without pausing, "I would have given my life to save his." My son is a hero! And I’m one proud mom.

"Now, go DO the right thing!"