I appreciate the “Education Nation” theme that NBC promoted in the fall of 2011. Of all the discussions that are occurring about our economy, none are more important than the emphasis on strengthening our national security, our nation’s business competitiveness, and the financial health of our people through education. There is no more important investment than to prepare our youth for the challenging and exciting future that is theirs. And, certainly, we must stimulate economic growth so that our newly minted college graduates can begin their careers and perpetuate the American dream. We must talk the talk and walk the talk to truly be an Education Nation. Education is leverage on our hopes and aspirations.

I think we Americans sense that a renaissance of some kind is under way. It is time to revitalize our economy, to bolster the world’s confidence in our leadership, and to generally rebuild the American Dream. Here are three commitments that appear to be very relevant.

1. We Are a Community. Nobody in our town goes hungry. We expect our community leaders to focus on the common good and not on special interests. We are motivated by growth not greed.

2. We Are an Education Nation. We know that MATH matters and we love to read. Our corporations invest in America’s future through partnerships with our educational institutions.

3. We Are Strong. We don’t allow drugs to waste our brains and pornography to corrode our souls. We are physically fit and mentally focused. We are spiritually united as one nation under God.

I admit to being a generation behind on social media, but I’ve just begun using it to help share my writings with those whom I trust may benefit. Here are five things I’ve learned as I have ventured forth with Twitter. I’m also using Facebook, but that’s a slower process for me. Twitter is such an expeditious way to get connected and find out what’s going on out there in the busy, interesting world we live in. I have learned…

1. Our society is as diverse as I have always thought it to be.

2. There is an ever-growing consciousness about how we humans can choose to think (or not) about the world around us in terms of how our thoughts influence our prospects for happiness.

3. There are many people with worthwhile campaigns aimed at protecting our planet and improving the quality of life for those creatures–great and small–who live upon it.

4. There are many individuals who appear to be searching for something and who may have found counterfeit paths to happiness.

5. The big shots and celebrities have no corner on coolness and wisdom. There are some downright awesome people out there in every neighborhood who are truly inspiring and who are making a significant difference.

During recent weeks, I have written much about our nation’s challenges and opportunities. As many of my readers know, my day-to-day focus is on assisting my clients with their commitments to service excellence. With all the concern over our nation’s economic health, it occurs to me that what we need is a customer-centric economic strategy. Our leaders in Washington need to minimize the politicking and determine how to make our nation’s enterprise more competitive in the world marketplace. Business executives and their employees need to redirect their energies to identify collaborative strategies for serving their customers more efficiently and effectively. As they do, customer satisfaction will become the foundation of renewed prosperity.

Our nation’s economy is based on the principles of free enterprise. At this time in our history, we need to be as a nation of entrepreneurs who cease squabbling over our special interests and figure out how to build the confidence of those who would invest in America and those who would purchase our products and services. “Made in the USA” needs to signal many things. It needs to tell the world that our nation’s enterprise is trustworthy and that it is based on breathtaking product innovation, unrivaled management expertise, and the dedication of the world’s most knowledgeable and skillful workforce. Let’s get on with it. Let’s positively astonish each other and those whom we serve.

Our family home is 3600 square feet, including our full (finished) basement. On a trip to Tokyo a few years ago, I visited the apartment of a successful Japanese business executive. He was so proud of his spartan 900 square foot home. When I traveled in West Africa, my best friend was my driver, Peter. His family lived in a tidy two-room apartment. One room was living room, kitchen, workshop. The other was a bedroom. Peter and his wife slept on a double bed with two children. Two children slept on the floor next to the bed. The two smallest children slept on 20-inch wide shelves that were solidly mounted on the wall, above the double bed. Peter perched them there each night. They were a happy family. Happy that dad had a job and could pay the rent and buy chickens, rice, and fresh pineapple. What’s my message? We can all remember to count our blessings–homes, happiness, and food on the table. Perhaps the best result of our own American prosperity is that it translates into generosity in serving our neighbors wherever they may be.

A health report that may be beneficial for others…  I just returned from my bi-annual physical. The doctor made my day. As he listened to my heart, he said, “You have the heart of a runner.” I then gave him my Vibram FiveFingers and “Born to Run” pitch. His final commentary was this: “There is no substitute for aerobic exercise. Vegans have no heart disease, but don’t be fanatical about food. Enjoy good food, but know this, every vegan meal you eat improves your health and lengthens your life.” Am I a vegan? No. I enjoy my comfort foods (in moderation), but I do increasingly value the wisdom of vegans that I know can add vigor and years to my life.

The forever famous author, Dale Carnegie, once said this, “Talk to a man about himself and he’ll listen for hours.” What was his message? Lest you think it was about the egotism of some men, consider that it was about service. Talking to another person (man, woman, or child) about himself or herself shows that your interest is in acknowledging and serving them. The converse would be “talking to others about yourself,” which is a truly questionable brand of egotism. Another quote I remember is: “To be interesting, be interested.” The secret to lasting success (and happiness) in life is to value others and to serve them well.

Get to know your customers. Be intrigued with their stories, their success, and their aspirations. The same holds true for your family, friends, and neighbors. I once heard Tony Robbins advocate what he considered to be the most significant question you could ask another person: “What is especially important to you?”  I recently had a marketing consultant ask me just that.  He said, “Darby, above all else, what can our firm help you accomplish that would be of the highest value to you?”  I was positively blown away by the power and sincerity of his question and hired his firm to assist me. In 2012, decide who you are going to truly serve and determine how best to do it by asking them.

Happy New Year! It’s easier said than done. Strictly speaking, there’s no guarantee that the New Year will be a generally happy one. Perhaps a better greeting would be “Happy Your Year.” The year I can control is my year. Beyond that, I know of one commitment I can make to help our global community have a happier year. I can recognize the difference between speaking out and being angry.

Anger is our enemy going into this New Year. It blocks clear thinking that would otherwise solve our problems. Many throughout the world are angry. The causes they champion may be just and their ideals may be valid, but we must all get past intolerance and hatred. We must not act out of anger but out of a collective desire to make the world a more just, more enlightening, and more loving place for our children.

I have just been reading a BusinessWeek article on “Existential Risk” and “Singularity.” There are some experts who estimate humanity’s chances of making it through this century at 50 percent. Beyond the familiar threats of natural catastrophes, there are many modern threats: climate change, synthetic biology (gone awry), nuclear apocalypse, nanotechnology weaponry, machine super intelligence, and other yet unknown risks. The super machines could outsmart us and take over unless we make friends with them early on, which appears to be the goal of the Singularity movement. What an amazing outlook.

These modern scenarios appear to prove one thing, humankind is the greatest threat to humankind. The pessimists would side with the worried scientists. Religious theories about our human destiny would be quickly dismissed. On the other hand, optimists would propose that it is only in the context of pursuing a higher purpose–a spiritual purpose–that humankind can rise above anything and collectively decide that we hold the answers to our most serious potential problems as long as we include God in the conversation. Either God is or He isn’t. If He is, He can trump the super machines. Let’s not despair. God’s wisdom is a most valuable complement to scientific knowledge. I prefer the combination.

We live in an age when heroes may seem hard to find and yet true heroes are to be found in your own neighborhood. We all take great inspiration from those who are intrepid…innovative…passionate…and compassionate. As business, community, and family leaders, each one of us has the opportunity to excel, to be an example, and to lift those around us. Let me share with you this challenge for 2012…

Be Intrepid! Let no fear or obstacle block your progress. Be courageous. Have faith in yourself, in your family, and in your valued business associates.

Be Innovative! There’s an old saying that insanity is to continue doing things the way you’ve always done them and to expect different results. Instead, let us commit to ingenuity. We see new horizons for success in 2012. This means we must continually create new strategies for reaching those horizons.

Be Passionate! Intense desire is at the heart of all great human achievements. I am sure we will each strive to lead the way in 2012 with genuine enthusiasm and unstoppable determination.

Be Compassionate! Give back. We are all blessed with many things—those things we celebrate at this joyous time of year. Let others know you care. Let your prosperity translate into generosity that blesses the lives of those around you.