The PPP #74
The Art of Ass Kissing, AJ Humphreys & "Trip", Mike Fridays' Funnies
Happy Phriday
Quotes I am Considering
I grew up a Bible thumping Baptist, but this Pope Francis dude got my attention.
Someone shared this with me as a quote from Pope Francis. I later learned this it is not his quote. Ether way, I like it and it works for me.
Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is...Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.
But here are 3 authentic Pope quotes
"The Lord never tires of forgiving. It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness." "A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just." "Too often we participate in the globalization of indifference."
Sammie’s Journal: Ass Kissing
This week I had an engaging discussion with a young man, a Gen Zer, about the art of networking. He informed me that Gen Zers don’t feel it is necessary to network and they don’t like to network. Why? Because they believe that networking is synonymous with ass-kissing and they refuse to ass-kiss to get ahead in their careers.
Hummm?
I certainly can see a bit of that point of view. Maybe networking feels a little bit like you are being nice to someone you don’t want to be nice to. Or you are acting as if you like someone you genuinely don’t like.
I suppose if all Gen Zers feel this way and they all stick to their principles, the playing field is level, and the advantage is based strictly on meritocracy. Right?
But guess what? Someone is going to break that treaty. Someone is going to turn traitor. Someone is going to defect. And when they do, guess who has the unfair advantage?
Maybe I am wrong. Maybe the times have passed me by. Technology--the internet, the iPhone, and AI--have all changed our lives. But then I think of one thing that has not changed in 50,000 years: Human Nature. How do I know this? It is from reading the Bible, the Iliad, The Prince, Shakespeare, and other timeless works.
If the technology argument is true, haven’t we already had enough technological changes since these fine books were written to alter the nature of humans interactions?
Coincidently, yesterday I spoke to a manager at a large warehouse facility. He mentioned that his boss is starting a book-study at work. They are going to read How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie. I suspect they are not reading it to learn how to ass-kiss each other. No. they are reading it to build a better working environment. Reading it to understand how givers-get and learn how a winning attitude builds on top of each givers-get transaction.
If you want, you can paddle around in your little canoe and not drown. Or you can help build a bigger boat and sail around the world. (Is this too corny?) Or let me wax poetic. Here is what old John Donne wrote.
No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
Here are my top 3 books I recommend on the art of networking.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie (1936): This is the Mack=daddy. Look at when it was written. Old Dale is focusing on fundamental techniques for handling people, making them like you, and influencing them positively and ethically. It emphasizes building genuine and lasting relationships through understanding, valuing, and respecting others.
Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi (2005): Givers get. This book talks about networking as a lifelong practice centered on generosity and building authentic connections. Ferrazzi stresses the importance of a "give first" mentality and proactively connecting with people you admire based on shared goals and mutual respect. And if you are keeping score, it wont work.
Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant (2013): Grant explores the dynamics of reciprocity in professional relationships, distinguishing between "givers," "takers," and "matchers." Through research and case studies, the book demonstrates how a giving approach can lead to greater success.
But if you insist on calling it ass kissing then I say, Put on some Chapstick and pucker up, buttercup, and start networking.
Mike Friday’s Funnies: Wolves
Two rabbits were being chased by a pack of wolves. The wolves chased the rabbits into a thicket. After a few minutes, one rabbit turned to the other and said, "Well, do you want to make a run for it or stay here a few days and outnumber them?" Once there was a king who had 10 wild dogs... He used them to torture and eat his ministers who made mistakes. Once, one of the ministers gave an opinion which was wrong, and which the king didn’t like at all. So he ordered the minister to be thrown to the dogs. The minister said, "I served you 10 years and you do this? Please give me 10 days before you throw me in with those dogs!" The king thought for a time, and agreed. The minister went to the guy that was guarding the dogs and told him he wanted to take care of them for the next 10 days. The guard was baffled, but he agreed. So the minister started feeding the dogs, brushing them, playing with them, washing them, providing all sorts of comfort to them. When the 10 days were up, the king ordered that the minister be thrown in to the dogs as his punishment. But when he was thrown in, everyone was amazed at what they saw. They saw the dogs licking the feet of the minister! The astonished king said:” What happened to my dogs? !!!” The minister said: "I took care of the dogs for 10 days and they didn’t forget my service… Yet I served you for 10 years and you forgot everything after I made one error!”… So the king realized his mistake. And he got 10 wolves instead. Two Russians and two Americans are traveling on a sleigh in Siberia. Suddenly, a pack of wolves appear, getting closer to the sleigh. The first Russian stands up: "For the sake of the good relationship of our countries, I'll sacrifice myself!" - and he jumps off, only to be torn apart by the wolves. The three men go on. Another pack of wolves appear. The second Russian says: "Now I will also sacrifice myself for our countries' good relationship!" And so he does. The Americans continue on the sleigh. Another pack of wolves appears. One of the Americans says: "Well Joe, I think we should get that rifle from the back now." A guy from the big city is going for a drive in the country. He passes a farm field, where he sees a lone pig rooting around, and upon second glance, notices this pig has a wooden leg. The guy drives up to the farmhouse and sees the farmer repairing his tractor in front of the barn. He asks the farmer about the pig. "That's a very good pig, that", says the farmer. "He saved my son from a pack of wolves. He saved my wife from drowning in the river. He chased off thieves that were trying to steal my cows. Great pig." "Right", said the gentleman, "but why does it have a wooden leg?" The farmer replies "Oh, the wooden leg. Well, when you have a pig that good - you don't eat it all at once." I was trying to find out where my local fur merchant was hosting a “Lupine Designs” fashion gala for his fellow lycanthropes this year. So I asked “Where is the werewolf’s wolf-wares warehouse where werewolves wear wolves’ wares?” "Wolfgang Mozart!!", shouts Mozart's friend... "What?!" replies Mozart. Then they are both eaten by a gang of wolves.
GoodEnough: AJ Humphreys, Author of Trip
In this episode, Mark and Sam discuss AJ Humpreys' new novel, "Trip" and his new publishing company, Dark Journeys Press. This one is not for the squeamish. And the word "fuck" is used liberally.
Who is AJ Humphreys? He is local to Central Illinois. He is an emerging author of thrillers, horrors, and mysteries and a 2024 addition to the Horror Writer's Association. Besides his new novel, AJ has authored the four-part Season of The Monster saga. It was his debut within the publishing world.
Not one to fear going against the grain, Humphreys ditched the corporate world in 2021 for the food service industry, permitting him more time to focus on the haunting tales his mind conjures. When AJ isn't writing, it’s a safe bet he’s outdoors and his best pal, Kobe The Husky, is somewhere nearby.
This was a fun interview.
Here is the link to the podcast if you want to listen while you do your morning walk.
Throat Punch Poetry will return next week. Until then, check out Poetry On The SIP
Moment of Zen
The Pope doing Easter Mass in the rain during COVID.
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