What's going to matter when you're 6 feet under?

Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful...that's what matters to me. Steve Jobs

What lasts beyond our physical life is our acts - of kindness or not - not our stored up treasures. Even Steve Jobs, one of the richest men, knew this. Even he knew that in this life it is not our material possessions but our deeds that are remembered long after we are. All of his wealth didn't matter if he wasn't known for acts of kindness. We all should have this perspective. Yes, material possessions are nice but our deeds have a deeper impact. And it's important to note, I think, that our deeds - good or bad - impact. And we are remembered for either of them. People will remember what a jerk we were if we behave badly. And people will remember what a lovely person we were if we behave kindly. And if we are a jerk and leave tons of money to "make up for it" I have news for you...it doesn't make up for it. There will still be hurt, bitterness, anger, resentment, etc in the person whom you treat poorly but leave material wealth to. Sure, go ahead and "store up" material wealth* but make sure you store double of good deeds for that is what you will be remembered for.

*Just in case you are scratching your head because something about this whole topic seems familiar, click here. :) Obviously there's a lot more to be discussed in light of that passage but I'm content to leave it here for today.

More bang for your buck

This phrase was used a lot in 1953 but an earlier citation puts it at 1940 in a Metals and Plastics Publications advertisement. Read about it here . The phrase means you get more for your money.

Call it a Day

The literal use of this phrase hails from 1838 when the phrase originally was "call it half a day" to mean leaving work early. (source) The modern use of the phrase is to indicate ending something due to false sense of accomplishment.

Butter someone up

There are two probable origins for this idiom and I think both are equally plausible. The first one is that when you spread butter on bread you are buttering it up like one would do when trying to flatter someone. The second is in ancient India there was a practice of throwing balls of butter at statues to ask for favor, i.e. buttering them up. ( source ) When we use the phrase today we generally mean that extreme flattery is used to gain information or favor. It's not always necessarily a compliment.

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