From John Boy Walton to Michael Jordon and deep into the pockets of history yet unborn…the drive to strive is fed by pride and like any other addiction, reaching a pivotal point in ones personal discovery and acceptance requires the setting aside of the matter and materials that truly count in the only game we’re truly expected to play….life.
We’ve all be introduced to the masterminds of loyalty, dedication, determination and the fever pitch of greater than great, better than the best and in the end they ended up being lonely and or located in the next universe because the mind, body and soul system couldn’t keep up with the onslaught of constant demands and lack of self control.
We’ve spent the last one hundred years becoming the “Stuff” monster.
People work to buy more stuff…big stuff, little stuff, way the heck out there stuff like statues that feature no arms and carpets that are hung on the wall and never walked on. Our stuff includes bikes and boxes to put the bikes in when we’re no longer in the mood to ride. We have boxes for fake Christmas trees, Halloween decorations we haven’t seen in three years and computer parts and pieces we may one day need.
$12 billion a year is spent on keeping our stuff locked up in storage buildings that’ve redesigned their presentation almost becoming skyscrapers in what used to be private neighborhoods. Reports show we spend more on storing stuff than purchasing music; not to sound like my mother but, “The money to collect stuff has to come from somewhere.”
We choose to work one, two and sometimes up to three to five different jobs while tackling every task presented at the home front main dollar maker or as I call it: My biggest client.
In the book The Art of Power…Fredrick reached outward and beyond love to locate what he assumed was peace and serenity with his impeccable addiction to constantly working. He’s no different than many we’ve individually met along the way, all that is…is his and anything along the way is part of the game but he doesn’t truly participate. Basically meaning, he missed out on the major leagues of life’s delightful events such as his son’s graduation into the sixth grade, his wife’s bowling tournament where she picked up best high game and bowler of the year.
Although he’d never admit it, Fredrick became enslaved by his work.
Donald Trump, Warren Buffet, Oprah and Bill Gates may be this generation’s most profitable players but are they happy? Not as in money happy because in reality the only thing green gives you is an oversized lawn for someone else to mow. Lost is the tremendously important relationship between human and a passing squirrel or rabbit who are paid by Mother Nature to constantly keep an eye on her problem child the adult two legged man and or woman who spends more time thinking about themselves and not how it affects other items of life.
Fame, success and wealth are the assumed happy button. Too many believe that in order to attain that rightful passage one must become aligned with financial and political power. Sacrificed is the present for the sake of the future. Sadly the human spirit isn’t built to go any deeper than skin level when accepting daily adventures.
Painting this paragraph quickly reminds me of Geraldo who bravely walked up and asked, “What are you doing to invest in your life?”
Instantly I thought, “Please not here…I’m here to work the muscles not the mind and spirit.”
Because of his belief in martial arts, the open path has taught me to invest not in banking, mutual funds and stocks that are far from being more insecure than American’s fighting to keep their jobs…but in the self that these legs carry minute by minute quickly becoming years then decades.
Invest in friendship. Put energy in the eyes looking back at you in the mirror. He or she is your friend, more importantly; they’re the closest family member you’ve got. Teach yourself to become bright without having to rely on job positions and other titles to serve as a guide through dark alleys and squared boxes that feel as if they have no corners to lean on.
The secret of happiness is to nourish love everyday.
You can chase power until the cow jumps over the moon but that doesn’t guarantee pigs fly. Power is gained only through the expense of someone else. When there’s no love or deep motivation…the heart begins to locate false happiness. What are you willing to sacrifice to catch that unforgettable buzz? Warning: Such rushes may cause unexpected hangover’s that destroy someone else’s life.
If you can’t find the time to invest in your life…find a friend who has the courage to stand up to your addiction of working and teach them your weakest moments so that when you’re down and nearly out…they’ll become your mirrored image and softly ask, “Can we please get back to living?”
arroecollins@clearchannel.com
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