I am a woman who has a lot of
pans in the fire, constantly on the move and constantly working to bring my
dreams to fruition. But, I recently
noticed something about my personality that made me wonder if I have a disease
that I am likening to corporate addiction.
The symptoms are like those released prisoners with an institutionalized
mentality. You have heard of them. They are so addicted to the institutionalized
life that as soon as they are released, they do something to go right back to
prison. Their act of crime is done with
the intent to be caught and to go back to the life with the comfort of a
ritual, being told what to do, knowing what to expect, and when. Without a doubt, that is a disease of the
mind and of a spirit that is afraid to take control of its own life. Well, how does that relate to corporate
addiction? Simply put, having control of
your own time.
Time is what made me think of it
as a corporate addiction, because every time I get the chance to manage my own
time to work harder and smarter toward what I really believe I want, I tie my
time up with another corporation. I
won’t name names of corporations, nor am I writing this to complain. Just wondering how many people on earth are
in the same boat. We talk about our
dreams and how we don’t have time to pursue them, yet we can’t cut the
corporate ties. Yes, corporations pay us
and pay some of us better than others, but are we happy? Do we prefer to complain how the 9 to 5 job
is really a 9 to 9 or longer? Do we like
the hype of complaining to each other about our long hours? Is it preferable to regret lost time with
family, lost sleep, and lost time?
Maybe, instinctively we harbor spirits of fear and don’t really believe
our affirmations and dogged determination will manifest into the life that we
secretly or not so secretly want. Just
asking.
As I look within and without, I
know that money manifests into the life style we know, just like the lifestyle
the institutionalized prisoner knows.
But, when do we cut the ties and release, let go. Isn’t that what the greats or so many people
who run their own businesses do? They
step out on faith, believe in themselves, see the bigger picture, and untie
themselves to someone else’s dreams and expectations. Where would Ford be without Henry? Where would Microsoft be without Bill? They were addicted to no other corporations than
their own.
It occurs to me as I think more
and more about this that our economy would probably be at its greatest, if more
of us had their faith and their drive.
Perhaps even the elimination of poverty could be possible if everyone
had an attitude of self-sufficiency that was based on the belief in their own
talents and abilities. Or, perhaps, this
is the direction the next evolution of commerce is taking, the entrepreneurial
revolution replacing the information revolution that replaced the industrial
that replaced the agricultural. We are
all here for a purpose to help each other, but the best way we can do that is to
help ourselves. So my recommendation, if
you see yourself a victim of your own corporate addiction, is to open that business you are dreaming
about. Have faith. I do.
So, I’m still tied to corporations and rules, but I am still tossing
those pans around in the fire as I build my own corporate world.
As I build my bridge to freedom, I hope to help
others take control wherever they can.
In my recent book, A Comprehensive Guide to Finding the Right Doctor, I
share tips on controlling your choices in healthcare providers.
I know, I know, rained in sounds like a bad thing, but it
isn’t. Can you imagine just sitting in
lush, green surroundings, enjoying the stillness as the sound of trickling,
okay occasionally down-pouring rain falls outside? Your view is perfect and it is so peaceful,
regardless of the gray outlook? One of
the activities I had been looking forward to was canceled due to the heavy
rain, but I’m okay with that. I haven’t
been on a horse since my 20’s and I was a little apprehensive about the
temperament of the horse I would get. I
have fond memories of my cousin’s horse who would take you straight back to the
stables whenever the whim hit him, whether you wanted to or not. I was on him one time for that full gallop
back home because he got tired of wandering around the hills of Saddle Brook,
NJ. But, I was going to give it a try. Sea Island has a way of giving you that
extra little bit of courage.
When we arrived at our room, we were pleasantly surprised to
find that the room was as big as the pictures online. Pleasantly surprised, I say, because I have
felt cheated on many occasions. So many
hotels use panoramic pictures to display their rooms and lobbies. Sadly, when I had arrived at those other
hotels, I found I barely had enough room to turn around. Not here.
The bedroom with its cathedral ceiling was more than enough room with a
sitting area and an ample patio. I have
taken pictures, but they don’t do it justice.
We have a view of Black Banks River, but can walk to the beach in less
than five minutes. Something I didn’t
get a chance to enjoy, though walking in the rain did sound romantic and adventurous,
just like riding horses. But, it was a
little too cold for that walk in the pouring rain, though it is normally warmer
this time of year in Sea Island. So off I
galloped happily to the restaurants, and then to the spa.
The
Sperling Chronicles, Dreams Thrown Away, is a high energy book with a lot
happening to this family, including tragedy, violence, and world-wide
celebrities. The heroine is the best thing about the book. Kali, although
mistreated and violated in many ways, always maintains her center. The reader
pulls for Kali to survive this dysfunctional family and the tragedy that
happens to her when her twins are born. And she does, for a while, marrying a
steady, well-grounded man, who unfortunately eventually treats her poorly.
Still, Kali is a larger than life heroine with whom the reader can identify,
and her struggles and successes make for an interesting read.
