Terry Real

Stand up for it and create a culture around them that supports that because the playground won't, the school won't, your colleagues won't.

So create a little counterculture of relationality and surround your family with them.

For the young person, find mentors who are happy

and let them teach you about how to be happy.

And the other thing I want to teach, which is true for all of us, and I would not be able to forgive myself if I didn't say this one thing in our podcast.

We have a lot of people listening.

This is what I want to say.

If you get one thing from our conversation today and you only get this, this one thing will be enough to change your life.

I mean it.

Here's what it is.

There is no redeeming value in harshness.

Let me say it again.

There is nothing that harshness does that loving firmness doesn't do better.

Be firm, but with love, not harshness.

And that's you treating others.

That's the way you allow others to treat you.

And very much, that's the way you treat you.

I am on an anti-harshness campaign.

And what I say to friends, family, students, and it's true.

At 75, I have a deal with the universe.