H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Date of Birth: 1940
H. Jackson Brown, Jr. was an American author best-known for his book Life's Little Instruction Book which was a New York Times bestseller. Before becoming famous as a writer, Brown acted as a creative director of an advertising agency in Nashville, Tennessee. It was simple words of wisdom gathered from other people and his own experiences that made him a best-selling author.
Brown first published A Father's Book of Wisdom, which was quickly followed by P.S. I Love You, a collection of sayings and observations from his father and mother. Both were very popular and led to Life's Little Instruction Book, which was originally written as a going-away present for his college-bound son, Adam. This book contained 511 reminders about "how to live a happy and rewarding life" and became a phenomenal best-seller worldwide. It has logged more than two years on the New York Times best-seller list, including more than a year at the number one spot. Life's Little Instruction Book was the first book to ever occupy the number one spot on the New York Times best-seller list in both paperback and hardback formats simultaneously. Live and Learn and Pass It On followed and also became a New York Times best-seller.
Brown's books have been translated into 35 languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. They have spawned calendars, posters, apparel items, daily journals, greeting cards, audiocassettes, screensavers and even fortune cookies. Brown is also said to receive thousands of letters from readers all over the world. Their content ranges from the simple, "I enjoyed your book and I read a page or two every night before I go to bed" to the humbling "your book convinced our family to adopt a special needs child."
Remarking on his books, Jackson has said, "Most of us know what we need to do to make our lives more fulfilled and useful, but sometimes we forget. My little books are gentle reminders of those simple things which, if done well and in a spirit of love, can significantly change our lives."
“Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something and has lost something. People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost. If you know someone who tries to drown their sorrows, you might tell them sorrows know how to swim...”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Success is getting what you want. Happiness is liking what you get.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Watch the sunrise at least once a year, put a lot of marshmallows in your hot chocolate, lie on your back and look at the stars, never buy a coffee table you can't put your feet on, never pass up a chance to jump on a trampoline, don't overlook life's small joys while searching for the big ones.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“أياً كان هدفها المخطط له، فقد هبطت قذائف الهاون على دار للأيتام تديرها مجموعة خيرية من الموظفين في قرية فيتنامية صغيرة. قتل جميع أفراد المجموعة مع واحد أو اثنين من الأطفال على الفور، وجرح العديد من الأطفال الآخرين، ومنهم فتاة صغيرة في الثامنة من عمرها تقريباً.طلب أهل القرية مساعدة طبية من مدينة قريبة يمكنها الاتصال لاسلكياً بالقوات الأمريكية. وأخيراً وصل طبيب وممرضة من الأسطول الأمريكي في سيارة جيب. قرر الطبيب والممرضة أن الفتاة هي صاحبة الإصابة الأكثر خطورة. وبدون اتخاذ إجراء سريع، فإنها ستموت بسبب الصدمة وفقد الدم.كان نقل الدم حتمياً، وكانت هناك حاجة إلى متبرع له نفس فصيلة الدم. وأظهر اختبار سريع أن أحداً من الأمريكيين ليس له نفس فصيلة الدم، ولكن العديد من الأطفال الأيتام غير المصابين كانت لهم نفس الفصيلة.كان الطبيب يتحدث اللغة الفيتنامية قليلاً، والممرضة تجيد بعض الكلمات الفرنسية. وباستخدام تلك التوليفة، مع الكثير من لغة الإشارة، حاولا أن يشرحا للأطفال الصغار المذعورين أنهما إذا لم يتمكنا من تعويض بعض الدم المفقود، فإن الفتاة ستموت بلا ريب. ثم سألا إن كان أي من الأطفال مستعداً للتبرع بالدم لمساعدتها.صادف طلبهما صمتاً وأعيناً متسعة. وبعد عدة لحظات طويلة، ارتفعت يد صغيرة مرتعشة، ثم سقطت لأسفل مرة أخرى، ثم عادت ترتفع من جديد.قالت الممرضة بالفرنسية: “أوه، أشكرك. ما اسمك؟”.جاء الرد على السؤال: “هينج”.رقد هينج بسرعة على فراش من القش، وتم مسح ذراعه بالكحول لتطهيرها، وغرس إبرة في وريده. وطوال الوقت، ظل هينج راقداً في تيبس وصمت.ولكن بعد قليل من الوقت، أفلتت منه تنهيدة مرتعدة، فسارع بتغطية وجهه بيده الطليقة.سأله الطبيب: “هل تشعر بألم يا هينج؟”. هز هينج رأسه نفياً، ولكن بعد برهة أخرى، أفلتت منه تنهيدة ثانية، ومرة أخرى حاول أن يخفي بكاؤه. مرة أخرى سأله الطبيب عما إذا كانت الإبرة تؤلمه، ومرة أخرى هز هينج رأسه نفياً.كان الفريق الطبي قلقاً. لقد كان من الواضح أن هناك خطأ كبيراً يحدث. وفي هذه اللحظة، وصلت ممرضة فيتنامية للمساعدة. وعندما رأت كرب وجزع الفتى الصغير، تحدثت معه بسرعة بالفيتنامية، وسمعت رده، وأجابته بصوت هادئ لطيف.وبعد لحظة، توقف الفتى عن البكاء ونظر للممرضة الفيتنامية نظرة تساؤل. وعندما أومأت برأسها إيجاباً، علت وجهه نظرة ارتياح.قالت الممرضة للأمريكيين بهدوء: “لقد ظن أنه يحتضر. لقد أساء فهم مقصدكما. كان يتصور أنكما تطالبانه بالتبرع بكل دمه حتى تعيش الفتاة الصغيرة”.سألت ممرضة الأسطول: “ولكن لماذا يمكن أن يوافق على شيء كهذا؟”.كررت الممرضة الفيتنامية السؤال على الفتى باللغة التي يفهمها، فأجاب ببساطة: “لأنها صديقتي”.ليس هناك حب أعظم من هذا الحب؛ أن يهب الإنسان حياته من أجل صديق.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“#1487: Hug a cow.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“#1425: When you really like someone, tell them. Sometimes you only get one chance.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Remember that children, marriages, and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“If you know someone who tries to drown their sorrows, you might tell them sorrows know how to swim.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Opportunity dances with those who are already on the dance floor.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Tape record your parents' laughter”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“If you're doing your best, you won't have time to worry about failure.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“When you can’t change the direction of the wind — adjust your sails”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“I've learned... . That being kind is more important than being right.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Don't forget, a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Be tough minded but tenderhearted.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Wear audacious underwear under the most solemn business attire.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There's plenty of movement, but you never know if it's going to be forward, backwards, or sideways.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Life doesn't require that we be the best, only that we try our best.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Every person that you meet knows something you don't; learn from them.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Commit yourself to constant improvement. Commit yourself to quality. Be persistent, persistent, persistent...and have a grateful heart!”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“You cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up up them.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Live and learn and pass it on.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Never deprive someone of hope it may be all they have ”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Never forget the nine most important words of any family-I love you.You are beautiful.Please forgive me.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Judge your success by the degree that you're enjoying peace, health, and love.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Instruction for life: Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk. When you lose, don't lose the lesson. Follow the three R's: - Respect for self. - Respect for others. - Responsibility for all your actions. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Life is slippery. We all need a loving hand to hold onto.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“A kiss on the beach when there is a full moon is the closest thing to heaven.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“If you kiss someone on the back of the neck, it spreads.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Love is when the other person's happiness is more important than your own.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“I've learned that you know your husband still loves you when there are two brownies left and he takes the smaller one.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“I've learned that it doesn't matter how your husband squeezes the toothpaste, the important thing is how he squeezes you.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.