Word of the Moment (Humbug)

 Humbug [ huhm-buhg ] | noun
• something intended to delude or deceive.
• the quality of falseness or deception.
• a person who is not what he or she claims or pretends to be; impostor.
• something devoid of sense or meaning; nonsense: a humbug of technical jargon.

verb (used with object), hum·bugged, hum·bug·ging.
• to impose upon by humbug or false pretense; delude; deceive.

verb (used without object), hum·bugged, hum·bug·ging.
• to practice humbug.

Adapted from The Importance of Living (Lin Yutang, 1937):  There is a wealth of humbugs in this life, but the multitudinous little humbugs have been classified by Chinese Buddhists under two big humbugs: fame and wealth. There is a story that Emperor Ch'ienlung once went up a hill overlooking the sea during his trip to South China and saw a great number of sailing ships busily plying the China Sea to and fro. He asked his minister what the people in those hundreds of ships were doing, and his minister replied that he saw only two ships, and their names were "fame" and "wealth."

Many cultured persons were able to escape the lure of wealth, but only the very greatest could avoid the lure of fame.  Once a monk was discoursing with his pupil on these two sources of worldly cares and said: "It is easier to get rid of the desire for money than to get rid of the desire for fame.  Even retired scholars and monks still want to be distinguished and well-known among their company.  They want to give public discourses to a large audience, and not retired to a small monastery talking to one pupil like you and me now."  The pupil replied:  "Indeed, Master, you are the only man in the world who have conquered the desire for fame!" The master smiled. 

... But many wise men know that the desires for success, fame, and wealth are euphemistic names for the fears of failure, poverty, and obscurity and that these fears dominate our lives... if he is successful, and give him the illusion that he is really doing something and is, therefore, "somebody." 

I feel many of us fear that... the notion of potentially being a nobody. 
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"No matter how useful we may be, sometimes, it takes us a while to recognize our own value."  ― Piglet, The Tao of Pooh

To accomplish anything of significance in life, we must first believe in ourselves.  Without cognitive strength and resolve, it is challenging to grow.  Some people grace our lives and believe in us more than we are able to (be thankful for them and make sure to treasure them); however, eventually, we must learn to walk on our own two feet.  Others may help guide and support us, but no one is capable of living your life for you.

Outside the Apollo Temple of the Oracle of Delphi, an inscription hangs above, reading, "Know thyself."

Zhuge Liang (Chinese politician, military strategist, writer, engineer, and inventor – considered the 3rd smartest person in history) echoed his greatest achievement, “Bình sinh ta biết ta. (In life, I know who I am.)” This can be quite a challenging notion as many never live their own life… progressing on cruise control from the life and notions given to them or demanded of them – for many, following or obeying is easier than charting one's own path; consequently, they seldom understand themselves to know what road is best for their own felicity - never understanding true happiness as they are a shackleless prisoner. It all starts with the foundation of “know thyself.”

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.” ― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching.
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“Sometimes, not getting what you want is the best thing to ever happen to you.”

Our fixation with a particular outcome and perceived notion that we know what is best for us, our desired item/outcome/person, leads us to focus on only one course.

Looking back, many instances of not getting selected for that desired position or being forced to let go of that significant other, the burning passion of my whole existence, was the best thing that ever happened to me.  It was those moments of “failure” that left memories that made being where I am so much more valuable.  “Sometime, the wrong train will get you to the right station.” ― Indian Proverb

Commencement Ceremony at Stanford (Steve Jobs, 2005):  “Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.  So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.  You have to trust something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.  Because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart even when it will lead you off the well-worn path.  All that, will make all the difference.