No.4 from Fountain Valley, California

The 4 Laguna Niguel

From my daughter. 

I lost the original piece of art but she gave me sound advice. 

The 4, Valencia, California

1. Be what you are supposed to be. Working hard comes naturally.

The 4 from Palm Desert, California

1. Treat everyone fair today.

2. Take responsibility for all choices, decisions and actions.

3. Be respectful.

4. Work hard!

Sacramento International Airport

Be polite and honest. Work hard. Connect in a positive way with everyone. 

After the rain, 4DBP, Dana Point

Sidewalk on Violet Lantern between Del Prado and Santa Clara. 

I need to be accountable today, work hard, treat people fair and with compassion. 

4DBP= 4 Death Bed Principles

My name is Mike. For eleven years I was a Hospice Chaplain. During my time as a Chaplain I met many amazing and wonderful people. They shared with me their insights on what mattered most to them looking back on the life they lived. I took the truths they shared and narrowed it down to 4 consistent principles. Those 4 principles became what I call the 4 Death Bed Principles, or 4DBP.

Here are the 4 principles with explanations following: 

The 4 principles (most) every man wants to people to remember they exhibited during their life.

1. I was honorable

2. I was accountable

3. I was respectful

4. I was dependable

Honor: when I had to deal with people I treated them fair and square and expected the same.

Accountability: whatever I did or didn't do, I own up to, I take responsibility. I did the best I could with how I understood the world. I accept whatever fate or judgement is given me. 

Respect: everyone believes whatever what they need to believe to make it in the world. I did the same. I did not preach, condemn or condescend. I never told people they were wrong or tried to convince them I was right. I lived and let live. 

Dependability: I did an honest days work for an honest days pay. I carried my weight. When there was work to be done I showed up and did my share. I worked as hard and as long as it took to get the job done and I did it without complaint. 

These are the 4 Death Bed Religion Principles. Written and revised today in my apartment in Dana Point, California.