Cash Back

Credit card rewards are more typical and the percentage back keeps going up.  That must mean the card issuer is collecting higher fees from the retailers.  Perhaps this is in part why gasoline is beginning to have a credit price that looks to be around 10 cents higher than cash.  In the end, as is almost always the case, we are paying for our own rewards.

Remember First Why

A commencement speaker is supposed to be a compliment to the graduation of a group of students, providing insights, appreciation, and inspiration to the graduates, as they move to another stage of their lives (hence the name - a beginning).  When the speaker brings his or her own attendees, taking space away from students' families and friends, and becomes the focal point of the event, the event's purpose is lost.  When an egocentric narcissist is invited to speak, arrogance overwhelms the venue, and the event becomes a misguided ending, rather than a launch.  There are times when we are honored with the invitation to serve others, and the art of that service is to do it with respect, reflecting the honor of the moment toward those who actually are deserving of it.