Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express, not to impress. Don’t strive to make your presence noted, just make your absence felt.

Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express, not to impress. Don’t strive to make your presence noted, just make your absence felt.

Is it possible that we are continually supporting the wrong value system, while simultaneously feeling the vacuous nature of a society that celebrates those particular values?

Our media system makes trillions of dollars glamorizing celebrities and athletes because the public absorbs those as the key role models. Consequently these people are among the most highly paid in society and yet there is a portion of what they are contributing that does not hold a candle to some of the others who go by without notice whatsoever.

I do not think that the world will evolve to elevate these overachievers to their proper status, but I do believe that each of us may find the lessons in these unsung heroes as being worthy of a personal aspiration towards those values that are exemplified in these people.

The advent of social media only further perpetuated this value system. Finally every person who craved their moment in the limelight was given ample opportunity to shine with whatever brilliance they may conjure in the hopes and expectation that others may find whatever they are bringing to the social circle of value and importance.

When I look at the valuable side of many organized religions, their dogma celebrates the values expressed in today’s aphorism. The morality that they teach in their circles of faith celebrate these behaviors and deliver many quiet, unnoticed people who actually walk the walk. They deliver service to the underserved. They live quiet, uncelebrated lives that will come and go without large notice. They bring their compassion and understanding to people who will thrive as a result of their efforts. They will most likely never be celebrated on television. They will not have millions of followers on social media. But when they finally expire, their absence will most certainly be felt by those whose lives they touched.

If you have core intentions of merit, they are most certainly worthy of your expression. If you believe in something and you dedicate a portion of your life to improving that condition, you are finding a meaning in life that many do not ever discover. And if your ability to earn the hearts and minds of others is astute, then you are gracious in your time spent behaving in such a role model manner.

Happy Saturday!

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Written by Brian Weiner
When I was 5 years old, I discovered that the lemon tree in the backyard + dixie cups + water and sugar and I was in business. I have been hooked on that ever since. In 1979, I borrowed $14,000 to create a brand new product... photographic greeting cards with no text on the inside, called Paradise Photography. That was the start of The Illusion Factory. Since then, The Illusion Factory has been entrusted by all of the major studios and broadcasters with the advertising and marketing of over $7 billion in filmed, live, broadcast, gaming, AR, VR and regulated gaming forms of entertainment, generating more than $100 Billion in revenue and 265 awards for creativity and technology for our clients. When I took a break from film school at UCLA to move to Hawaii, my mother did not lecture me. Instead, she took 150 of her favorite aphorisms and in her beautiful calligraphy, wrote them artistically throughout a blank journal. That is the origin of the Lessons from the Mountain series. Since then, on my journeys to the top of a mountain to watch the sunrise, I have spent countless hours contemplating words of wisdom from the sages of all races, genders and political persuasions, constantly accumulating the thoughts to guide me on my life path. I hope you enjoy my books. Please let me know your thoughts, as I highly value your feedback!