AUDIO
SYNOPSIS
Which is better, to be smart or to be kind?
For decades I THOUGHT I knew the answer to this question — but, I was wrong.
I actually found the correct answer by re-watching the classic Jimmy Stewart movie “Harvey.”
You’ve probably seen the movie. Stewart plays Elwood P. Dowd, a true eccentric if ever there was one, who somehow manages to charm everyone he meets.
And therein lies the answer.
In the movie, Harvey is a Puka — an invisible spirit that teaches important life lessons to mortals like you and me.
Only Elwood P. Dowd could see Harvey and he saw him as 7-foot rabbit who loved to booze it up.
Today, I’ll not only teach you the answer to the question of kindness vs. smarts but also how to more fully integrate this into your life.
And, may I ask you a favor?
If you got something out of today’s JumpStart, would you please forward it on to someone else?
Together, let’s build a community of positivity as we make the world a better place.
And, remember to post your questions and comments — I respond to them all.
Hey Will,
Delighted to be able to tell you I’m on day 17 of not complaining!
I‘m loving how this attitude adjustment is making such a hugely significant impact on my life and thank you very much for taking the initiative in spreading the amazing benefits of this remarkable philosophy.
I was really struck by today’s message and specifically how you resisted the urge to correct your daughter’s mispronunciation of a word no less than 4 times(!), defaulting to the logic that if she really wants to use this word again, she’ll find out how to pronounce it correctly.
I’ve be guilty in the past of doing this to others, but only from the standpoint of feeling that I was helping them from future embarrassment, however I do see now that I’m much better served by letting the moment pass, resisting the urge to “look smart “ and instead find an opportunity to be kind to this person.
It’s so simple, it’s difficult!
But I’ve taken a valuable reminder for future reference, to default to this way of interaction rather than how I would have previously done so.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping me become a better human being.
Sincerely,
Steve.