We collect so much in a lifetime. Screens, software, cars, homes. But in the end, it’s not what we own that lasts. It’s what we leave behind in the minds of others. For me, that means words.
All I have
are words
…and
a laptop
loaded with
the latest software
and high-speed Internet
…and
a 50 inch
high definition
LED screen
connected to
the most popular
streaming services
…and
a four-wheel-drive
sports utility vehicle
with heated
steering wheel and seats
satellite radio
and anti-lock brakes
…and
a three-bedroom rambler
with solar panels
central air
and a two-car garage
Objects age
and need repair
pass on to others
or get discarded
when I am gone
all that will remain
of me
are my words
A Few of My Words
Humble Bragging: Does It Work?
Humble bragging is a social habit that shows up often in conversation and online posts. It is the subtle art of dressing up a boast as a complaint or a casual aside. Think of the friend who says, “I am so exhausted from all these amazing work opportunities,” or the colleague who laments, “It is so hard to find time to manage all my properties.”
Psychologist Adam Grant, along with researchers at Harvard and UNC, has found that humble bragging usually backfires. Rather than making us sound relatable, it can come across as insincere or self-promoting. Readers and listeners often sense the gap between the words and the true intent. As Psychology Today explains, humble bragging also tends to trigger resentment rather than admiration.
We live in a culture that rewards polished images of success. The pressure to present both achievement and humility at once can lead many people into this pattern without realizing it. The better alternative is simple. We can speak clearly, honestly, and allow our words to stand on their own.
Have you ever caught yourself humblebragging without meaning to?
What messages do you notice from others that walk this fine line?
Share your thoughts below.
