If one had to condense a philosophy on leading a good life into a series of soundbites, these would be my choice:

1. All lives matter.
2. Your choices do too.
3. The Golden rule is the only rule.
4. Measure success in what you give and not what you get. Live simply so that others may simply live.
5. Live like today is your last.   The race of life is, in the end, only against yourself. No one makes it out alive.
6. Fear and apathy are our greatest threats. Hypocrisy our greatest sin. Always remain empathetic, open to change and strive to live in the other person’s shoes.
7. Small talk and gossip are the mark of a small mind.
8. Don’t be afraid to march to the beat of your own drummer.  Don’t be so proud as to ignore good advice.  You can learn something from everyone.
9. 99.9% of things in life are not black-or-white.  Not everything is a competition.
10. Take time to ponder the meaning of why we have two ears and only one mouth.
11. Actions may speak louder than words, but words matter all the same, so too does silence.  A scared person knows when to be quiet. A smart person knows when to talk.  A wise person knows when each is appropriate. Silence can be deafening, especially when no one speaks up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
12. Creating good childhood memories is always worth the investment of time and money.
13. Time will always be more valuable than money.
14. The truth lies in the middle.
15. Compromise is not four letter word.
16. Accept failure as part of the process of building success.
17. Perfection is the enemy of the good enough.
18. Take everything in moderation. Including moderation.
19. The most effective test of person’s character is to take them out to lunch and see how they treat the waiter.
20. How we improve the world for the next generation is the greatest testament to who we truly are.