faith

Stop with the Insane Humility: If You Don’t, Someone Else Will

| johnas9000

Have you ever held back from promoting your services, thinking it was more “humble” or “charitable” to stay quiet and let people come to their own conclusions? If so, let’s get real: if you truly have something valuable to offer, then it’s not just a disservice to yourself but to your potential clients to let “humility” keep you silent. Being present to the fact that your services could genuinely help people means understanding that holding back might just lead them straight to someone else who isn’t as skilled, honest, or fair.

For those of us who consider ourselves good, ethical professionals, we need to recognize that humility, when taken to an extreme, can actually harm the very people we hope to help. Think about it—how many verses in the Bible or other spiritual texts talk about humility? But in the name of humility, is it charitable to let someone get ripped off or harmed by a competitor offering subpar services? I’m not talking to the crooks here—they’re already out there, using every tactic imaginable to lure clients. I’m speaking to the good, honest providers.

Here’s a case in point from my own industry. Many don’t realize that repeated use of fillers over several years can cause scars and lumpy textures, as some filler remains in the face indefinitely. Even a skilled injector may struggle with the lasting effects of these fillers, leading to puffiness or unnatural looks over time. It’s our responsibility to advocate for more natural, longer-lasting options, like collagen restoration or muscle rejuvenation, especially if these options lead to a more natural, sustainable look. In my quest to be humble, I wasn’t vocal enough about encouraging clients to choose these alternatives—and I’ve seen clients suffer the consequences.

And this applies to other fields, too. A veterinarian friend of mine shared a story that underscores the same point. He charges $3,000 for surgeries that some “surgical centers” charge $10,000 for. Here’s the twist: he has over 30,000 surgeries under his belt, while the high-priced “center” might hand the job to someone with just a week’s worth of experience. Imagine the heartbreak of a pet owner paying top dollar, only to lose their beloved animal because they were led to believe they’d receive superior care at a higher price. All because my friend, out of humility, didn’t promote his skill and fair pricing enough.

So if you’re someone who provides an exceptional service at a fair price, don’t hide it. If you don’t believe it, raise your service level, lower your costs if you can, and shout it from the rooftops. You’re not just helping yourself by getting more clients—you’re helping people avoid overpaying or getting subpar services elsewhere. Humility has its place, but when it stands in the way of helping people make informed, beneficial choices, it’s time to let go of it and let your voice be heard.

It’s your obligation to stand out.

PS t can feel counterintuitive, especially if humility has been woven into you from a young age, reinforced by family, church, or cultural beliefs. But remember, by holding back, you may unintentionally let others fall into less capable hands or even into predatory ones.

It’s worth affirming every day: “I know I’m offering the best service, so I need to convey that clearly to my prospective clients. It’s the right thing to do.” This self-reminder helps reframe the idea of self-promotion from something “obnoxious” to a responsibility you hold out of genuine care. Sharing the true value of what you offer isn’t about bragging—it’s about ensuring those who need you find the best path forward. You’re doing them a favor.

The Quiet Virtue: Why the Best Services Often Go Unnoticed

| johnas9000

Have you ever noticed that the loudest voices aren’t always the most trustworthy? It’s something that seems to happen all around us. The people or businesses shouting the loudest about what they have to offer may not actually have the best offerings. Meanwhile, those who have true value, the ones who focus on providing the highest quality, often remain quiet, drowned out by a sea of noise.

This isn’t just an observation about individuals—it spills over into services and businesses too. We all know how difficult it can be to find the best doctor, service, or even restaurant. Often, the places with the loudest advertising or self-promotion are the ones with the least to offer. They know that in a world filled with distractions, volume sometimes overshadows quality.

The Quiet Experts

Many of the most talented professionals in any field are, by nature or by culture, humble. They let their work speak for itself. There’s even a religious or cultural undertone to this—many spiritual teachings emphasize humility as a virtue. For example, Christianity speaks of “the meek inheriting the earth,” and in many cultures, humility is seen as a sign of wisdom and strength.

This emphasis on humility can sometimes mean that the best services are overlooked. Many professionals, especially in fields like healthcare or aesthetics, are more focused on perfecting their craft than shouting about it from the rooftops. Their work speaks for itself, but in today’s noisy world, sometimes that isn’t enough to get noticed. They believe in quietly doing what’s right and letting the results shine, rather than engaging in aggressive self-promotion.

The Challenge of Visibility

This creates a real challenge—not only for those professionals but also for the people who are searching for the highest quality. How can you know where to find the best doctor or the most effective service when they aren’t actively competing for your attention? Too often, we are left sifting through flashy ads or influencer promotions, only to find that the loudest voices don’t always have the best offerings.

As consumers, we’re often drawn to the loudest message, but volume is not always a guarantee of value. In fact, the best in the business might be the ones you haven’t even heard of yet because they’re too busy doing exceptional work to promote it.

Shifting the Dynamic

The truth is, finding the right service, doctor, or expert often requires us to look beyond the noise. It’s about asking deeper questions, seeking referrals from trusted sources, and doing the research rather than following the flashiest marketing. For professionals, the challenge is learning how to strike a balance between quiet humility and the necessity of being seen.

Imagine how different things could be if we valued quiet excellence over loud mediocrity. If the true experts found ways to make themselves just a little more visible—without compromising their values—perhaps the right people could find them. And for those of us searching for the best, it’s a matter of digging deeper, asking the right questions, and not being fooled by volume.

It’s time to value substance over style and start seeking out the quiet, excellent voices that may have the most to offer.

Happy Easter Happy Passover

| johnas9000

Passover and Easter are both significant religious holidays, but they belong to different faith traditions and have distinct origins, meanings, and customs. Here are some of the key differences and similarities between the two:

Differences:

  1. Religious Origin: Passover is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt, as described in the biblical book of Exodus. Easter, on the other hand, is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as narrated in the New Testament.
  2. Religious Significance: Passover marks the beginning of the Jewish people’s journey to freedom and the covenant between God and the Israelites. Easter symbolizes the victory of Jesus over sin and death, signifying hope, redemption, and eternal life for Christians.
  3. Timing: Passover typically occurs in the spring, specifically during the Hebrew month of Nisan, which usually falls between late March and mid-April in the Gregorian calendar. Easter, on the other hand, falls on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox, usually between late March and late April.
  4. Observance: Passover is observed by Jews through a week-long celebration that includes special meals (seder), the retelling of the Exodus story, and the avoidance of leavened bread (chametz). Easter is observed by Christians through various traditions such as attending church services, Easter egg hunts, and family gatherings.

Similarities:

  1. Spring Celebration: Both Passover and Easter are celebrated in the springtime, reflecting themes of renewal, rebirth, and new life.
  2. Shared Symbols: Both holidays incorporate symbols of renewal and life. For example, the egg is a symbol of new life and fertility in both Passover (as part of the seder plate) and Easter (as Easter eggs). Additionally, both holidays involve the consumption of special foods: matzah during Passover and Easter eggs, lamb, and bread during Easter.
  3. Spiritual Reflection: Both Passover and Easter provide opportunities for spiritual reflection and introspection. They are occasions for believers to contemplate themes such as freedom, redemption, and the power of faith.
  4. Historical and Cultural Influence: Both Passover and Easter have had significant historical and cultural influence, shaping the traditions, rituals, and beliefs of Jewish and Christian communities throughout history.

While Passover and Easter are distinct holidays with different religious contexts, they also share common themes and symbols that reflect their significance to believers around the world.

Why are the biggest sinners at church?

| johnas9000

Happy Easter to those who celebrate. I just posted this on Facebook.
“What if we could choose who we are when we are reborn? Today, as we celebrate the season of renewal, let’s embrace the power of personal transformation. May you find joy in shaping your destiny and discovering the boundless possibilities you choose today and every day. You are reborn every day. You can release all the worries, problems, fears, and negativity and embrace joy, gratitude, giving, and sharing. Happy spring, and may your choices lead you to a life filled with abundance and fulfillment. Happy Easter to those who celebrate and observe. Although we all must share faith and the positive possibilities of what this day represents no matter your faith.”
I turned on the TV and heard someone preaching. Within a few minutes, he said that your sins have been forgiven. Then he said your future sins are forgiven. Then he said your past sins are forgiven. Then he said, all of your sins were forgiven thousands of years ago.
No wonder why I have seen the worst people at church. When I was a little boy 60 years ago, I noticed that of the few divorces in our parish, those men were all deacons or some other notable position in the church. Today, I hear my friends tell me about all kinds of evil people who were either attempting to have an extramarital affair with them or were trying to cheat them or their families financially.
It is apparent to me that since I don’t attend church, I don’t get a “get out of guilt jail” free card. I am not even close to perfect. But I don’t think I have ever lied to anyone. In fact, I am constantly accused of being brutally honest. I also would suspect that if I cheated on someone, I would carry that guilt to my grave. And I don’t have room to carry that much guilt.
Isn’t that better than thinking you can go to church and be instantly absolved? Or, at worst, say a few hail Marys?
I am not dissing religion. But it seems to me that everyone is taking bits and pieces and using them to get away with “murder” or, at the very least, cheating and lying.
Even if you want to believe 100% in god and that Jesus died for our sins, it is not a get-out-of-jail-free card to be an asshole. It seems like people are using religion, or more correctly perverting religion, to allow their worst behaviors to be OK, actually to be instantly forgiven.
There is something very wrong with that attitude. Personal responsibility comes first. Yes, we have all sinned and will probably sin some more before we die. But don’t use it as an excuse to do stuff you know is terrible.
I was recently speaking to a friend who was speaking to some high-level TM master. He had the nerve to tell her that she wasn’t evolved while he ( a married man) was hitting on her. Worse yet, he admitted he had cheated at least four times. By the way, you know that probably means 28 times. The law of 7 states that whatever they admit to, multiply by 7. I only have one drink a day. I only cheated once, etc.
It’s deplorable. I truly pray and hope that this Easter, the world will evolve to a better place. There is way too much crime, war, and awful people doing awful things.
Please ensure that repeat sinners are taught a lesson, not just forgiven. Repeat criminals need to be kept in jail or some other way to protect the innocent people they kill. Repeat financial criminals need to be put in prison and stopped from stealing, and repeat emotional killers need to be kept away from good people.