getting "Never Stop Striving but Accept Things the Way They Are. Always Consider Others while Doing What Makes You Happy. Also, Don't Trust the Time Tables Because You'll Miss Your Train but Relax There's Always Another Train. And, ultimately, Don't Trust Anyone, Love is the Answer." tattoo'd on my back thank u
A stellar edition, no wonder you have so many readers. Being an introvert, I can't imagine how hard it must be to approach 100 people and ask them something! And having to convince some that you're GIVING them $1, not asking. About "Know Thyself" (another Jung-fan here): I found that the opposite is true as well. Learn as much as you can about all the fellow creatures and beings around you. It's like looking in a mirror, because we're all connected 😉.
Oh Jessica I am so glad you pointed this out. Yes, the self-knowledge thing does work both ways. Another way I like to put it, "Everything I see is me."
I'm an introvert too, but curiosity wins out. But yeah, that's why I can only do a few dozen a day. And while it's fun, it's exhausting! Afterward I need to go home and nap.
I love this -- Everything I see is me. The UNIverse. I figured you're an introvert, based on other stuff you wrote, that's what makes you so brave. And curiosity as motivator - being interested in things - that's great, too!
i recently sprained my ankle and got the following advice from the nurse: "push up to pain, but not into it." sounds so wise that i wonder if it can be applied to other parts of life, too!
Amazing that you are left with exactly $64, as in the idiom a $64 question meaning a question that's at the heart of the matter. Google tells me that's from a popular CBS radio quiz show.
So, I propose asking random people "What is your $64 question?" and giving away 64 $1 bills.
Because perhaps there is more wisdom in questions than answers (I acknowledge the fortune cookie nature of this statement).
Oh wow David, that did not occur me me, the $64 question thing. But that is a great idea! The questions might tell us a lot more about people than any answers they could give.
New Yorkers are the best. I think you should take the $64 and treat yo self! Have a nice dinner and a glass of wine. As Jequan said above, "enjoy it while you can". Happy New Year, Anne and thank you the great Monday reads.
Haha Justin. I liked one reader's suggestion that I give the $64 to charity, but I might like yours even more! Thank you for your kind words, it means a lot! And happy new year!
I just subscribed to Cafe Anne. What number am I on the subscriber's list?
I subscribed because I really enjoyed this post and the wisdom you gleaned from random strangers. I would say you got more than your dollar's worth.
I grew up in Nigeria, so I understand how the Nigerian guy you met thinks. Nigerian culture doesn't place a lot of emphasis on love and romance. Nobody really cares about fairy tale romantic endings. Loyalty seems to be more practical, and considering how unstable Nigerian society could be, loyalty has more value.
That is super interesting about the Nigerian take on love and romance. So much of what we identify with as our own ideas are notions we learned from those around us. I know that is true for me.
I'm glad you enjoyed the issue, and thank you for subscribing. Oddly, you are subscriber # 9,974 because a bunch of people UNSUBSCRIBED yesterday. But this happens every Monday when I send out a new issue. I'll be back over 10k again in a few days!
I just started a newsletter on Substack. I put the link in case you want to check out what it is about. If you like the theme, feel free to subscribe too.
How about asking kids what their favorite books are and buying copies of those books for a local homeless shelter or classroom??? And thanks for all you do!!
Take it to a school and ask children for a dollar of their wisdom. And I want to hear the answers! You’ll get more responses from kids. They’re not jaded.
I guarantee you this will be fun.
Kindergarteners up to 3rd grade. The brain is a total sponge in 3rd grade.
Lisa, a number of people have suggested similar themes. I will definitely consider. Kids are for sure the weirdest people on the planet and I KNOW they'd come up with some interesting responses. Thank you!
I would give the rest of the money to charity. You can't go wrong with that. Maybe it will do good for some other people. Mazel tov on reaching 10,000!
This experiment was friggin gold!! What I wonder is how answers and reactions would differ based on location? If I were to do this where I live in western Canada, I wonder if responses would be wildly different or inherently the same because humans are humans wherever we go.
Interesting question Kristi! I'd love to try this in a different town. My guess is that you'd really start to see differences in cities with an Eastern rather than Western POV.
As a retired London black cabbie my favourite piece of wisdom is a prescient Greek proverb with today's climate change:
Society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.
That's just a lovely vision, David. Thank you!
Reminds me of the question: “when is the best time to plant a tree? 20 years ago. Next best? Now!! I love trees.
getting "Never Stop Striving but Accept Things the Way They Are. Always Consider Others while Doing What Makes You Happy. Also, Don't Trust the Time Tables Because You'll Miss Your Train but Relax There's Always Another Train. And, ultimately, Don't Trust Anyone, Love is the Answer." tattoo'd on my back thank u
Alex I will donate the remaining $64 to this procedure and then I will die happy.
shit now i'm really considering it
The many ways of saying both are true 🙌
Congrats on reaching 10K subscribers! Woo hoo! "Stay in New York" - how true!
Thank you Robert. And yes, that is one bit of wisdom I can for sure get on board with!
A stellar edition, no wonder you have so many readers. Being an introvert, I can't imagine how hard it must be to approach 100 people and ask them something! And having to convince some that you're GIVING them $1, not asking. About "Know Thyself" (another Jung-fan here): I found that the opposite is true as well. Learn as much as you can about all the fellow creatures and beings around you. It's like looking in a mirror, because we're all connected 😉.
Oh Jessica I am so glad you pointed this out. Yes, the self-knowledge thing does work both ways. Another way I like to put it, "Everything I see is me."
I'm an introvert too, but curiosity wins out. But yeah, that's why I can only do a few dozen a day. And while it's fun, it's exhausting! Afterward I need to go home and nap.
Thanks for your kind words!
I love this -- Everything I see is me. The UNIverse. I figured you're an introvert, based on other stuff you wrote, that's what makes you so brave. And curiosity as motivator - being interested in things - that's great, too!
i recently sprained my ankle and got the following advice from the nurse: "push up to pain, but not into it." sounds so wise that i wonder if it can be applied to other parts of life, too!
Hmmm. Yes! I think in many aspects of life, you want to be growing but not pushing to the point you give up, or stop having fun. It's a fine line!
Amazing that you are left with exactly $64, as in the idiom a $64 question meaning a question that's at the heart of the matter. Google tells me that's from a popular CBS radio quiz show.
So, I propose asking random people "What is your $64 question?" and giving away 64 $1 bills.
Because perhaps there is more wisdom in questions than answers (I acknowledge the fortune cookie nature of this statement).
Oh wow David, that did not occur me me, the $64 question thing. But that is a great idea! The questions might tell us a lot more about people than any answers they could give.
New Yorkers are the best. I think you should take the $64 and treat yo self! Have a nice dinner and a glass of wine. As Jequan said above, "enjoy it while you can". Happy New Year, Anne and thank you the great Monday reads.
Haha Justin. I liked one reader's suggestion that I give the $64 to charity, but I might like yours even more! Thank you for your kind words, it means a lot! And happy new year!
This reminds me of the saying that all an old man can tell a young man is that “it goes fast”!!
Some ideas for the money:
- Go to a fortune teller and get $64 worth of wisdom.
- Go to a beauty salon and ask for a $64 makeover.
- Go to a tattoo/piercing salon and ask for a $64 tattoo/piercing.
- Jump in a taxi and ask them to choose the direction and drive until the meter hits $64 and see where you end up (or $32 if you want a return trip).
- Offer $64 for expensive things on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist until someone agrees.
- Buy 8 Twitter/X Blue checkmarks and start a grandiose rumour about yourself online with sock puppet accounts.
- Spend $64 on Cameo for a celebrity endorsement for Cafe Anne.
- Post a job on Fiverr and get someone to write a $64 comedy roast of you.
BRIDGET! You are an idea MACHINE! I wish I could do all of these.
I especially love the taxi idea. But the $64 makeover idea is also hilarious. I'm sure the pics alone would be worth the money.
The Cameo idea would also be so fun. I could probably have get a bunch done if I was careful about the selection.
THANK YOU!
What a great idea, to ask about wisdom. Another fantastic letter! The people of New York never disappoint.
No, they really never disappoint. Glad you enjoyed the story Renalto!
Are you aware of Proverbs 9?
Madjack, no, but Lorane did quote some of Proverbs chapter 3 to me, verses 5 and 6 in particular. I'll be sure to take a look at chapter 9.
I just subscribed to Cafe Anne. What number am I on the subscriber's list?
I subscribed because I really enjoyed this post and the wisdom you gleaned from random strangers. I would say you got more than your dollar's worth.
I grew up in Nigeria, so I understand how the Nigerian guy you met thinks. Nigerian culture doesn't place a lot of emphasis on love and romance. Nobody really cares about fairy tale romantic endings. Loyalty seems to be more practical, and considering how unstable Nigerian society could be, loyalty has more value.
https://purplemessenger.substack.com/
That is super interesting about the Nigerian take on love and romance. So much of what we identify with as our own ideas are notions we learned from those around us. I know that is true for me.
I'm glad you enjoyed the issue, and thank you for subscribing. Oddly, you are subscriber # 9,974 because a bunch of people UNSUBSCRIBED yesterday. But this happens every Monday when I send out a new issue. I'll be back over 10k again in a few days!
Good luck with that.
I just started a newsletter on Substack. I put the link in case you want to check out what it is about. If you like the theme, feel free to subscribe too.
How about asking kids what their favorite books are and buying copies of those books for a local homeless shelter or classroom??? And thanks for all you do!!
Very cool idea, Katy. It'd be fun to learn what the kids are reading these days.
Great idea. I love 'street wisdom', and I love New York (even though I've never been)
And NYC loves you Terry, thank you! Glad you enjoyed!
LOL!
Take it to a school and ask children for a dollar of their wisdom. And I want to hear the answers! You’ll get more responses from kids. They’re not jaded.
I guarantee you this will be fun.
Kindergarteners up to 3rd grade. The brain is a total sponge in 3rd grade.
Lisa, a number of people have suggested similar themes. I will definitely consider. Kids are for sure the weirdest people on the planet and I KNOW they'd come up with some interesting responses. Thank you!
Such a great survey, and the photos of Gregory and Alan are amazing! I need Alan's shades and ride. Congratulations on 10K!
Oh yay a compliment on a PHOTO coming from you is high praise Rob. Thank you! And yeah, Alan was looking pretty fly for sure.
I would give the rest of the money to charity. You can't go wrong with that. Maybe it will do good for some other people. Mazel tov on reaching 10,000!
Thank you Irene! Giving the rest to charity would for sure make sense—I've already gotten more than enough from that $$$ myself.
This experiment was friggin gold!! What I wonder is how answers and reactions would differ based on location? If I were to do this where I live in western Canada, I wonder if responses would be wildly different or inherently the same because humans are humans wherever we go.
Interesting question Kristi! I'd love to try this in a different town. My guess is that you'd really start to see differences in cities with an Eastern rather than Western POV.
Also Canadian vs American POV.
Please try it! I did (w one at least)
Do you mean you got just one response? What was it?
Scroll up - my very short story is there 👆He said “Its good to kiss your family all the time” 😘