The Code of Doc Savage

What's your mission, mantra or code of conduct? What's the goal (or goals) that you have at the start of a new day? Whatever your doctrine, philosophy, or ideology... the most important thing is to apply it and set your mission in motion.

During the 1930's and 40's, Lester Dent penned the adventures of the pulp fiction hero named Doc Savage - arguably the first "super" hero - even before the son of Krypton, Superman. Readers were encouraged to join the Doc Savage Club. Club membership included a copy of the Code of Doc Savage. They may seem somewhat trite today - but they still represent clear ideals and standards that challenge an individual to live up to.

What's your Code?

The Code of Doc Savage

Let me strive, every moment of my life, to make myself better and better, to the best of my ability, that all may profit by it.

Let me think of the right, and lend all my assistance to those who need it, with no regard for anything but justice.

Let me take what comes with a smile, without loss of courage.

Let me be considerate of my country, of my fellow citizens and my associates in everything I say and do.

Let me do right to all, and wrong no man.

WANTED: Salesperson(s) To Sell Hope

"People are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be." - Abraham Lincoln

The United States has been in the business of selling hope to the world since 1776. It is the hope of a better life, a better country, a better community and a better person that has enabled the U.S. to attract the ambitious, the knowledgeable, the creative, the downtrodden, the generous, the forthright, the curious, the liberal, the conservative, the atheist, the agnostic, the gnostic, the revolutionary and the orthodox of all races, creeds, genders, backgrounds and experiences. It is in this spirit of hope that we choose our leaders, raise our children, build cities, educate our minds, choose our life's work, forge our relationships, establish new businesses and contemplate new horizons.

In times of political, social or economic crisis, the U.S. must do what it has always done best - sell hope for a better tomorrow - for everyone.

After reading a blog from Nissim Dahan, "How Do You Sell Hope ?", he notes three principles: The Golden Mean, The Golden Rule, and The Greatest Good that all point toward the idea of selling a vision of hope:

• The Golden Mean tells us to moderate our views, and to think with common sense. Common sense will be our Ideology.
• The Golden Rule tells us to treat each other well, by Investing in one another.
• The Greatest Good tells us to maximize justice by organizing ourselves around a Vision of Hope.

The U.S.A., with all it's painful and ugly warts, is still the country with the greatest capacity to deliver hope to the entire world.

Ask yourself, "How do I deliver a vision of hope?" Whether it be at your job, school, home...with family, friends, co-workers or in quiet moments of contemplation. If everyone found small ways in their every day interactions to inspire others and provide mini visions of hope, think how much further our society and world would be in providing others opportunities to empower and better their own lives or situations.

Let's not forget: Delivering the message and the work of actualizing a vision are two completely different endeavors...but, you can't build a dream if your initial plans don't convince, engage or inspire others.