If you’ve got to wear cufflinks then they might as well be Superman Cufflinks!
These will definitely make you feel special.
Maybe like a quasi Superhero.
Some may think you’re a little arrogant and all that.
But maybe you just are hoping to be super at whatever you do.
It’s good to have an imagination and aspiration, and maybe a little sense of humor and fun.
As long as you don’t let it go to your head or to your pompous a**. 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumetnhal)
I like this quote from former Israel prime minister, Golda Meir:
Don’t be so humble; you’re not that great!
Nice way to pop someone’s oversized bubble of an ego and tell them to put a cork in it.
Or as my dad used to say:
He’s not a big shot; he’s a big sh*t!
Anyway, she had a sharp mind (like my dad) and was an amazing leader that Golda. 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
I really like this phrase from a book that I’m reading called “Like Dreamers.”
An ocean of words and a desert of ideas.
Too often, we hear people who like to hear themselves talk, think very highly of themselves, show off, or just spout away.
And while they say a lot…
There may not be a lot there.
New ideas, thoughts, ways of looking at things, innovation, creativity, outside the box thinking–that’s like a desert!
In Yiddish (and it’s always funnier in Yiddish), we say:
A big, big mouth, and a tiny, tiny head.
Similarly, in Hebrew, there is phrase that translates to:
Say a little, and do a lot.
Sometimes, the smartest people are the ones who use their words wisely, strategically, with depth and meaning, and when they really have something to say.
It’s at that time that you better be listening. 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Amazing beautiful photos of a black hole from 55 million light years (311 million trillion miles) away.
It measures about 25 billion miles across–about the size of 29,000 suns.
If this doesn’t make you (with all the money, smarts, good looks, and ego to match) feel small, nothing will.
We are but a speck of dust in this vast universe (maybe not even that).
Perspective is in order for your life and what it means.
Forget the money-grubbing and honor-seeking.
Realize what’s really important is what you do in terms of choosing right from wrong and good over evil in every small thing you do. 😉
(Photo Credit: Event Horizon Telescope)
So organizations are a funny thing.
Too hierarchical and you can get lost in the maze of corner offices.
Too flat, and there is no one to make a darn decision.
Huge hierarchies can be costly and inefficient, but flat as a board organization are mob rule.
I think there has got to be a happy medium.
– One, where there is leadership, accountability, a reasonable span of control, and room for professional growth.
– Two, where there is dignity and respect for everyone, and your tile and level doesn’t make any difference in terms of having your voice heard and being able to make a difference.
Hierarchies that reach to the pompous sky and flat organizations where all the air is let out and nothing can get done are those that need to be hailed away in a big menacing orange wheel lock.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Who would think you’d find a car like this in Washington, D.C.?
Definitely a standout, you think.
Although it seems like the people crossing the street don’t even notice it.
Ah, wake up people!
Anyway, where do you park a car like that?
It’s nice to look at, but between people wanting to steal it or deface it, I think it’s probably more trouble than it’s worth.
There are enough loonies out there…why give them a reason.
Then again, if you tether yourself to it, maybe it’s good for a joy ride around the Capital especially before the new tariffs kick in. 😉
(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)
Sometimes I come across people with enormous wealth and power.
Many wield it like they own it and deserve it.
I wonder sometimes with billions of other people in the world without adequate food, water, plumbing, medicine, or a solid roof over the heads, how the mighty can think they are above it all.
Do they look around–do they see anyone else but themselves?
They seem drunk with themselves and what they have–and very overconfident.
Worshipping self and all the honor and materialistic success–they forget where it comes from and what they are supposed to be doing with it to help others.
Yet, G-d and His angels can strike in but a split second.
Those that are high and mighty can be brought low and those that are in the depths of despair can be uplifted.
But at the will of G-d Almighty.
At the top, people may erroneously think and come to believe that they are smarter or more deserving–and so what’s theirs is theirs for the taking and keeping.
They think “To hell” with everyone else–they are the little people.
Perhaps, they even come to enjoy squashing them underfoot.
They really believe and savor the power and even think it’s forever.
Yet the wheel of life turns and often abruptly–illness, accidents, misfortune…it comes seemingly from nowhere when G-d breaths justice.
How silly of the powerful and wealthy to think they are the untouchable and the forever mighty.
G-d sees the good and the bad in the people–and ultimately, there is no escape from the King of Kings.
Wealth and power are earthly and fleeting, but the will of G-d is all that endures.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
So often you hear about people with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
This is a psychiatric disorder where people are obsessed with their real or perceived body flaws.
Often their notions of a physical flaw is widely exaggerated like someone who has a barely noticeable mole, but they see it as a major blotch on their skin that everyone must be staring at and repulsed by.
People with this disorder may often stand in front of the mirror starring at themselves obsessing over these minor imperfections.
But there is something major that is missing here.
And it is the polar opposite of BDD.
I would call it the Body Morphic Disorder (BMD).
My notion of BMD is where people are similarly obsessed with their bodies, but rather than real or perceived flaws, they are focused on real or perceived notions of their body’s beauty and perfection!
Instead of looking in the mirror and perceiving problems and feeling self-loathsome, these people are excessively vain and see themselves as a (near) perfect specimen of a human being.
“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?”
Or the equivalent of ain’t I just grand!
It’s funny-weird that we perceive criticism and self-contempt (BDD) as a psychiatric disorder, but we don’t generally see narcissistic self-worship as a personality disorder!
Yet any extreme is a bad thing.
Excessive loving or hating of your physical self–is the kiss of death when it comes to seeing things the way they really are and being a genuine human being. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
So I always try to see the best in people.
But sometimes it is hard when they are so intent on tooting their own horns.
Bragging, boasting, patting themselves on the back about how smart they are or a job so incredibly well done.
Oh, you’ve got to ask yourself…
Is it all really true?
OR
Do we have perhaps some slight exaggeration going on with a dose of self-aggrandizement, a spoonful of self-promotion, and more than a pinch of big ego?
Perhaps, also the person is in denial as to what their own capabilities–and limitations–really are.
For example, many artists are enthralled with their work and themselves.
“Isn’t this so good?”
“Can you believe I made this?
“Wow, this is impressive, right?”
Sure, there are plenty of talented people out there doing good and even amazing work.
But even then tempering your achievements with a little modesty and balance, like “I do this well, but I need to grow more in that area”–goes a long way to making the admirable talents and achievements more honest, humble, and believable.
Always, people are good at some things, and worse at others.
We all have things to work on and improve, and nobody is so perfect in this world!
We can try to come close–that’s our job to strive for it–but true perfection belongs to G-d alone. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Check out this guy’s shirt:
“Those who think they know EVERYthing
annoy those of us who do.”
What would make this grown man put this handwritten sign on his shirt like this?
It’s funny some people really do think they know everything.
And they are the hardest and most annoying people to listen to, because their pompous arrogance blinds them to what others think, feel, and have to say.
The only way to really know many different things is to learn from others and then incorporate that into your brain matter.
Progress (societal and self), including thinking, is incremental–that’s why education is so important!
No one (except G-d, of course) knows everything, but everyone knows something.
So we can learn from everyone!
Don’t fear other’s people knowledge, skills, and abilities–we are a community and we really only work well when we function together.
It’s like on most of the survival shows I’ve seen–one or two people (even those highly trained) fail miserably at long- (or short-) term surviving, because “it takes a village!”
Overall, I like my father’s humble version on life much better:
“I know nothing and I can prove it.” 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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