BIGGER THAN ONE PERSON

When things at work seem out of control (which seems to happen quite frequently in my current field) it's hard to put a finger on the good choices and the bad choices. It's hard to see the cause of the suffering, or why the suffering exists. Because we tend to worry about the personal impact of our choices, about our personal suffering. So we can't pinpoint where everyone else's suffering began.

I wish they could see the damage they are causing. By doing what they think is "best for the show," I wish they could see the negative impact. The ruining of a business relationship that has withstood years of struggle, the potential ending of very long career, the almost definite ending of a few people's jobs. All because of fear. Because they wouldn't talk to their partner. Because of lack of communication. I hope they know that they are juggling the fate of so many people's lives.

But I doubt they do. People - all of us - are so good at focusing on what improves our own position. Not maliciously - we don't do it maliciously. We just, by nature, worry about ourselves more than others. Part of the struggle towards enlightenment is realizing that the whole world deserves as much focus and concern as we give ourselves. Putting that into action is so hard, but it is the first step toward being the most that we can be. Being the most you can be means thinking bigger than just you, bigger than just one person.

I do not look forward to dealing with the fallout of their fear.