I often remind myself that the way I see the world is a product of who I am and how I am. It is not, necessarily, the way other people see the world. Now that is a bit of an understatement, isn’t it? We have this concept that we labor on: “Don’t be a wage slave, a career is a must” (DBAWageslave.com). To this end, the other day a young professional, a doctor I believe, remarked, “But all of us are wage slaves, aren’t we?” This is quite true in the literal sense. Unless we come from the “moneyed classes,” (1) we all need to earn a living. We must find a way to “Put bread on our table,” as my father used to say. The statement the young doctor presented is literally true, all of us, in effect, must sell our time for money. The meaning is in the quality of the action. If your time is more precious than life itself, you cannot sell it. It is the only commodity that has real and irreplaceable value. Once you spend it or give it, the gift is gone forever.
Now, because we seem to have an endless supply of time, we give it little to no value. Many of us throw it away. Sadhguru the other day remarked (to paraphrase) “When most people die, what flashes across their face in the last few moments of life is bewilderment. They suddenly realize they are going to be dead without ever having been alive”: ouch! This “struck a chord” with me. I recently read a BBC article on needle injection sites in Canada: The Canadian city where addicts are allowed to inject. The article states that addicts are allowed to safely inject their drugs in certain clinics. Now, here we come to a point of great contention. We are doing all of this and living this lifestyle through choice, albeit because of addiction, but it is still, first and foremost, through choice: dependence or fear or cowardice or traumatic memories, etc. You fill in the blanks. This sounds harsh, I know. Everyone has someone that they love who is addicted to something – The Big Five, as they are called: alcohol, drugs, sex, money or power. But, it must be a personal commitment to “go clear” and live a productive and fulfilling life. If you opt not to, this is “your choice” and your choice alone.
This is equally true with wage slavery. If you have decided that you will give your time to your goal with love and determination, you will do it. If you accept a life of economic drudgery, that will also be your choice, also. What few tell you, unfortunately, at the beginning of your adult life, is that nothing is free: money is not free, nor is a career. Everything requires work, in other words, time. But, if you spend your time well, in “a state of passion,” you will usually be rewarded. I say “usually” because “life is fickle.” Not everyone will receive their Nirvana. A life well spent, with time well invested, normally pays rewards, however. The alternative is to be like the addict — living an empty existence filled with broken promises. Lucretius (2) leaves us with a thought on free will, on choice, on chance: Humanity, at any rate, does have free will, and in a most ingenious way. Epicurus (3) derived free will from the doctrine of the swerve of the atom, saying in effect that the power to make a deliberate choice of action was inherent in the atom itself, which demonstrated that power by unaccountably swerving from its “normal” path.”
A closing thought: There is a great deal of conflict over whether I am truly free
at birth. There are certainly antecedent factors that have an initial impact on my life. I am Canadian, I am white, I have a certain amount of intelligence, I have a unique family upbringing, etc. I cannot change these “givens.” (4) The rest is up to me and, of course, chance. In my estimation, to say that my life was predetermined is just not true. What becomes determined; however, are my choices – both good and bad. Having made both good and bad choices in life, I know this to be irrefutable. Which side of the life equation you eventually fall on, the positive side or the negative side, is a private decision, along with your excuses.
To sum up: This week we spoke about wage slavery and choice. I must make a conscious plan as to the type of life I eventually want to lead. Nothing is easy, nor should it be. It is part of the dynamic freedom to discover the true me.
An amusing occurrence: I was recently reminded of the subtle pitfalls that are part of any spoken language, including English. One of my students was doing business abroad and was invited for dinner. “Would you like to come to our home for dinner?” “I would love to: what can I bring?” “Nothing – just bring yourself.” He knocked at his host’s door. The man of the house looked on in shock as if to say: “I told you to bring nothing, but not ‘nothing.’ Where is the small gift for my wife?” “Please make yourself at home.” The social faux pas only continued. The guest’s lack of proper deference while seated on the sofa was telling. Finally came dinner: “Please help yourself!” and the man did. He filled his plate and finished everything. “Please have more.” “Thank you, the meal was wonderful, but I can’t. I am full.” “Then, have just a little more..” “No, thank you. The food was delicious, but I can’t. I am full.” “It was the salt, wasn’t it?” inquired the man’s wife. “There was too much salt.” “No, dinner was great!” replied the guest. “Then have a small second helping.” “I can’t: I am full.” As you can see, the evening ended rather poorly: no contract was signed. In some Western cultures, always be prepared to take a little more food – regardless of its taste. Many etiquette schools remind us that this is a social, not a culinary event. (5)
Just for fun: Klezmer music
This week, please ponder your true obligation to your dreams.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Quote: I tell myself to always be true to “who I am,” that being searching for perfection. It is not easy being the true me.
Footnotes:
1) moneyed
2) Stephen Greenblatt on Lucretius and his intolerable ideas
3) Epicurus