Photo by Mariel Reiser
Thought for the Week
According to a recent study, only about 50% of men over age seventy are still sexually active. But when surveyed, nearly 100% of them say they are. Apparently, it’s not diamonds, or even sex, that are forever, but ego.
“Know thyself” is the first of three famous maxims carved in the ancient Temple of Apollo. This was to be taken in context, said the Greek philosopher Pausanius, with the other two: 1) “But nothing to excess,” for, 2) “Certainty brings insanity.”
The current age, it seems, has enshrined the first, and forgotten the latter.
Your fingers are actually quite small. But if you hold one up in front of your eyes, it appears to be taller than the tallest skyscraper. Trust me, I’m an only child–and a writer–so I know whereof I speak. But in the end, even I am capable of understanding that:
It is humility, not self-absorption, that is the key to knowing our true selves.
Mitch Teemley 
I love the header image. It says it all about the world we live in.
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Same here. That picture cracks me up. 😂
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😀
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Thank you for the wonderful reminder
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My pleasure, Smitha.
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Interesting observation.
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Well said.
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Thank you, my friend.
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I love the C.S. Lewis quote. I said it myself, but differently, “People who look down on others don’t end up being looked up to.” Not sure if I can share videos, but this is from my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhU9HNPYJfM
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I’ll check it out, Maryanne.
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Great post!
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But don’t let it go to your head 😉
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;>)
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Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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It is hard to keep your mind humble, we are, after all, writers, and everything we write is Gold!
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Well, yeah!
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That is a deeply disturbing illustration.
And, God preserve us, an accurate one.
The more people become consumed by the illusion of making themself feel significant, the more empty their lives.
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Amen, Rob.
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Thanks for including that wonderful portion of The Velveteen Rabbit. It defines humility, as I understand it. The words speaks to my heart. I think the quotation provided the perfect ending to your blog.
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Thanks, Robert. I thought so too.
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Thanks Mitch ⚘💕 Much appreciated
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Great post. As an aside, “sexually active” after age 70 can mean different things to different people!
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💜 The More Powerful I Get, The More Humble I Become; please Let that Sink In Before Commenting
…💛💚💙…
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Which explains why dictators and emperors are so humble? ;>) Or are you referring to some other kind of power, Yernasia?
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💜 I AM NOT!!! Even Remotely Religious SupaSoulBro but My Marvellous Mom Was and Has Shifted to a Slightly Different Belief System and Studying a Different Version of The Bible; so what I AM Able to Share is a Universal Biblical Quote from Brother Jesu Being “The Kingdom of Heaven is WithIn” which (WITCH!!!) means To Me This…any “Power” We Perceive comes from InSide of Us; once Activated it Grows and We Have to Manage that Growth and Development while Remaining Humble…if this “Power” is MisUsed by The Likes of “Dictators” then Rebellion and Other OverThrow Happens as The Filthy Masses make Their Voice Heard in Revolting or, in Modern Parlance, ReVoting from Left to Centre to Right ad nauseum; any other questions 🤔 ?
…💛💚💙…
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All true. Unfortunately.
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Ego – Edging God Out 🎯
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Yup.
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Dr. Wayne Dyer, I believe. A favorite quote!
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Good words. But I’m pretty sure that the Rick Warren quote was Rick Warren quoting C.S. Lewis. Thanks for the reminders, though. I frequently think about how narcissistic Facebook is. Ego is fierce. I also really like that third maxim, “Certainty brings insanity.” There are way too many people out there who are “certain” of too many things.
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Thanks, Jeff. Btw, I thought the quote was from Lewis too, but I fact-checked it, and it turns out Lewis never said it. Others have said similar things in the past, but Warren was the first to use that particular phrase.
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Well, okay, then! Good job, sir! 🙂
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All very inspiring quotes. The story of the Velveteen Rabbit was always a favorite of mine. The truth about being real – [“Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit. “Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.”] always struck me as the essence of the story.
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I agree, it’s a lovely quote.
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The Velveteen Rabbit destroyed me as a child and I have never been the same. What I don’t get is people having a selfie as their phone’s wallpaper. Like why the heck do you wanna see your own face that often????
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I love the quote from the Velveteen Rabbit. I hope I’m real because I’m pretty worn around the edges. It reminds me of something Robert Fulghum wrote in “The Bed Was On Fire When I Laid Down On It” (Paraphrase mine) – “One day you go out to the mailbox wearing old pajama bottoms, a frayed bathrobe, bunny slippers, and your hair’s a tangled mess. Some call this ‘going to seed’. Others call it the beginning of wisdom.” I’m glad that it’s a start…
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;>)
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Random comment: I still have my childhood Velveteen Rabbit!
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Awww.
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The Clooney quote demonstrates the point that even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Count one for George. 😉
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