There’s a store called “Inspirations: Work, Home, and Play” directly behind one of the stores in which I work. They sell framed pictures with pithy sayings on them. I think most of us are familiar with these picture cliches. For example, one has a picture of a bicycle race or something and says, “COURAGE: Don’t follow where the path may lead; instead make your own way and leave a path.” (If only these signs began with the phrase, “Confuscius say….”)
Anyway, as we approach the holidays and you search for gifts, allow me to show you an alternative to such pithy optimism. For that jaded friend or coworker, perhaps you’ll have more luch shopping with Despair, Inc. You will encounter posters with such axioms as: “FUTILITY: You’ll always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take; and, statistically speaking, 99% of the shots that you do” They also have a unique line called “Teambreakers” – the burned out coach or manager on your list will enjoy such aphorisms as “BLAME: The key to success is knowing who to blame for your failures.”
There are a bunch there, and most of them are really funny. Enjoy.