Locating A Solution As To Why You Give Too Much

The early morning television news anchor spoke softly, directly and almost parent-like when sharing the shocking truth; 40% of American's lucky enough to be employed "aren't being given vacations. I didn't say, "Aren't taking a vacation." Nor did I type into the face of this emotionless computer screen, "Are deeply loyal to their jobs that stepping away for a short period of rest is a sacrifice not worth investing in." This is where the average Blogger would begin a process of sharply blasting, harshly ridiculing and unveiling the names of Companies, their Owners, CEO's, Department Heads and the "Employee" for making a decision that physically without a doubt "lowers the bar" in America. This used to be me! Until the heart stopped. The cardiovascular surgeon blazed a new trail of self examination, "Your body has sent you a valuable message! It doesn't matter how fast your mind works jacked up on power drinks, caffeine and ephedrine; the mind doesn't control the major players. If it's your decision to ignore stress and everything associated with it...I'm looking forward to you financing my vacations for the next 5 years...if you're lucky!" "Vacations feed my fears of failure." How many times have you heard that from family members or people you work with? I'm in radio! Vacations are open doors for termination. If my Mother is correct, this side of the white picket fence is no different than the real world. So in essence: fear of taking a vacation is normal. Let's break it down! Fear of failure is what? Fear of not being accepted... Fear of not being part of something. Burned into my skin by the hot irons of guilt tripping are the stern warnings of one a radio station general manager, "I need to know right now if you're a Broadcaster or a Disc Jockey. If you believe in making a difference for the industry during a time when this radio station can't afford to give time off...you have a job. If your decision is to lean the other way; this is your final day." Forced fear cannot be compared to a fear of not being accepted or being part of something. But because it's easily accessible for reasons why we do something, the end result evolves into new emotions: Loyalty, dedication and determination. To call it what it is puts your job on the line. Bullying... Leadership through intimidation has become the accepted process of business in America. If you can't handle the heat in the kitchen then get out. Political leaders spend hours barking about other nations that are unfit and unfair but are blinded by the millions of dollars shoved into election pockets and packets. While employees lower their bars of what is and isn't success, the company reported to every day has leaped the opposite direction setting their expectations so high that inhumane choices are made; you're either fired or you die proving the height of your worth. There isn't enough fuel to feed the gas lines of sacrifice in the center of the human mind body and soul that constitutes enough space to catch your breath. Lets break it down even more: Master Harris from Martial Arts University writes: Loyalty can be defined as "faithfulness or devotion to some person, cause or nation. Loyalty is a choice you make; it comes from within...Loyalty is about relationships, commitment and trust, and cannot depend on situations or feelings. If you're only a friend to someone when you feel like it, than you are not really a friend. Being loyal means you stand BY others and stand WITH others, when they need it most. It is not conditional, it is not situational. It is a choice and an attitude. When put on display that way why is only 40% and not 99.9% of this country "not" taking a vacation? Now I feel guilty about protecting modern Broadcaster's from the horrors of being a microphone talker. Instead, I should feel proud of destroying a marriage and learning the fine art of arm cutting in the early 1990's during the chapters of "Receivership Radio." Dedicating 80 hours a week while getting paid for 29 was the new pre-2008 Recession America. Wow...too negative! I need some meditation time! In the book The Art of Power, it's explained that people who complain about vacations are physically injuring themselves. A book of spirituality blatantly states: vacations are a time of rest. The problem is...when vacations are taken nobody rests. We run! We play! We train our bodies to never shut down! Only to find reason to set fire to our dreams when the boss asks for a little more help. Maybe the tough times in America aren't the fault of Big Business but a reconstructed employee mindset. Being loyal, dedicated and determined is instantly disqualified when the act of how you choose to live is based on feeding the endorphins your body has become addicted to. If you aren't in the car, in the mall or chasing down the big purpose of why you were given air to hold...the thought of taking a true vacation to do nothing spells out "boring." You've got to make a choice! Having a job with a biweekly paycheck and good, bad or ugly insurance provided by a business man who just happened to put faith in a vision isn't your life...it's your enabler. What's the difference between purchasing illegal drugs and taking your paycheck to run off to Alaska, the Olympics in London or get slap happy over a 7/11 Super Gulp? Only to complain about your job every Monday thru Friday from 7am to 6pm. 40% of this working country has made the decision to not take a vacation. I get it! Most of us are struggling so bad that holding down four completely different part time jobs still isn't feeding our needs. Can I ask a personal question? What part of your mind body and soul is so empty that you've made the decision to sacrifice everything? Hunger in America. It's not for food, success or legacy. The hunger is an addiction to excitement and you won't stop until its fed. I will always believe in you first... arroe@arroe.net