The most problematic person to be honest with is primarily ourselves. Particularly when we align our sense of self-worth to what we do for our daily bread. What we do for a “living” is often the first question we are asked by strangers and acquaintances. It’s how this culture defines our value to the world. Definitions that hold in high regard sizable salaries, substantial supervision and spacious surroundings. Beliefs that ignite our loyalty and fuel our sense of self.
Regrettably, humans are also blind, deaf and dumb. As a species we’ve never been sagacious at separating our self-interest from what serves the best interest of all people. We’re not even good at always knowing what is good and what is not good.
We want what we want even if what we want is wrong. Just because the truth might set you free, doesn’t mean we really want to know truth. Particularly if that truth causes our belief system to sever and split and stop serving our sense of self. To paraphrase, Colonel Nathan R. Jessep, “we can’t handle the truth.”
Like many Americans, I once believed my worth was based on what the world paid me; the perks it provided me, and the people I presided above. Using this career criteria, I considered myself rather successful. Even if my success was solely based on salary, standing, and stuff.
There is no we in executive, an accuracy validated and verified in actuality. The singular example of servant leadership comes from the church not corporations. Company leaders exist to serve shareholders and produce profits. Any other feigned responsibilities are HR fluff and stuff. Nonsense and naïveté to make managers feel good about profits over people.
Because work is such an important and integral aspect of all our lives, we are regularly reluctant to really question the real value of our livelihood. Specifically, does it benefit all people or just some people? In simpler terms, is my career about my love of neighbor or my love of self?
It’s a question I adeptly avoided because I really didn’t care, nor did I want to care. Instead, I wanted to continue to win the world’s approval and accolades. Love of neighbor is nice a sentiment, but it has no standing within the workplace. Even if we spend a third of our lives at work. Even if each of us will be held accountable for all our actions anywhere. Even if we gain the whole world we can still lose our soul.
For the majority of my professional career, I created and led various pharmaceutical marketing agencies. My clients were familiar names on Main street and Wall street. Merck, Pfizer, Abbott, AstraZeneca, Johnson and Johnson, etc. and etc. A uniquely American profession prohibited in the rest of the world.
Our government gladly paying substantially higher prices for prescription drugs than any other government. Our regulatory agencies awash with financial conflicts that only favor industry funded science while being staffed by former pharmaceutical employees. Our politicians happily accepting millions of dollars in campaign contributions from the same pharma companies they’re supposed to supervise. You cannot serve two masters.
At fifty-five, I realized I could no longer serve two masters. I could no longer split my loyalty among two kingdoms. I could no longer believe that my life’s profession was about love of neighbor. Instead, I came to believe in a power much higher than I. God is love.
My spiritual surprise and committed conversion is not an indictment or insult towards anyone who still believes that pharmaceutical marketing has made the world better for all people. But it is a judgement of my actions. A verdict on my vested interest to defend my livelihood. A decree of my false faith in humans and human institutions including myself; especially myself.
What I have come to realize is a Love centered life means everything we do, including work, should be about creating love in the world. A simple method to measure this maxim; Am I being honest and honorable in all my dealings? Am I making the world better for all people or creating wealth for a few at the expense of the many? Am I creating tangible stuff or touchable services that truly help all my neighbors?
It’s as clear as crystal that my profession didn’t and doesn’t create healthier or happier humans. Physical and mental health statistics indicate we are sicker in body and mind. Pharma companies exist to generate profit; rarely have they cured any disease. Pharma companies exist to generate profit; repeatedly they have created and consciously marketed harmful products.
Everything we say and do, including our livelihoods, should be about creating love. If it’s not about genuine love of neighbor, than maybe it’s not what our life’s work should be about. Life, like love, is truly about multiplication not division.
Peace. God loves you.
If you want to learn more about my spiritual awakening, you can read or listen to Finding God in Vegas: A Gen X Spiritual Awakening; available on Amazon and all platforms in print, electronic or audio.