Who likes a fake? Nobody wants to be known as someone you can’t trust. A stroll through a store one day inspired this authenticity cartoon.
Every time I go to a department store, I wonder how many people are looking for something that just isn’t in all those goods. You know, things like love, peace, and authenticity. After all, money can’t buy love.
Today, November 13, is the birthday of Augustine of Hippo. As best as we can tell, he was born 1667 years ago today. I admire his devotion and his habit of writing copiously. But one of his quotes has me reflective today.
“Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.”
Saint Augustine of Hippo
Humility isn’t something we typically associate with leaders. After all, doesn’t it take a big man or woman to get anything done? Shouldn’t the spoils go to the victor? And isn’t the victor someone with a lot of chutzpah, ego, and audaciousness?
Yet we have seen many victors that have been brought down by hubris. If there isn’t a foundation of humility when a leader faces trouble, the foundation crumbles. A foundation of humility is crucial for sustained success.
A foundation of humility pays big dividends. It is so hard to practice when success comes. Yet, it is better to humble yourself than have others do it for you.
Content is one of these words in the English language that can mean two very different things, yet are spelled the same. It would be very good if we used accent marks in cases like the word, “content.”
If you are “contént,” with the accent on the second syllable, you are satisfied, pleased, peaceful. You are happy and pleased with where you are, what you have, or what you are doing.
If you have “cóntent,” with the accent on the first syllable, you have an amount of something. This word is related to “contain.” Content marketing is the art of creating materials that do not explicitly promote a product, brand, or service. Instead, the content is meant to be useful information that indirectly promotes a brand.
Marketing exists to generate discontentment, does it not? Its aim is to help a person realize they want something and encourage them to fulfill that want. Can one be content while consuming content marketing? Can one be content knowing their discipline generates discontentment?
It is something I am wrestling with. As someone who values love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23), how does this mesh with marketing? There are no easy answers. But it’s worth pondering on this fine morning.
This sign amused me when I first saw it, then it got me thinking. I never thought rocks needed protection. Yet some do, don’t they?
The rocks surrounding this sign were large and looked too heavy for anyone to move. It looked like a solid foundation to me. Yet someone must have moved a few of them before if this sign was deemed necessary.