Guest guest Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 I must share with you how much my job meant to me. I had become so driven by my work, title, position and influence that I had allowed it to define me as a person. That is correct, my job defined who I was. And this was a horrible trap I built. After having to resign my positon(s) as Vice President of the Midwest Region; Executive Director; President of the Board of the Indiana Donation Alliance; Board Member of the Eye Bank Association of America; Member of the Accreditation Board; Member of the Cerrtification Board; and Chairman of various committees I found myself lost for my true identiy. Really, I did. No longer will I have myself pumped up by others that looked up to me because of my title, position, influence and false sense of power. No more accolades, bonuses, promotions, attaboys or pats on the back. No, the awards would stop and I was no longer in the spotlight. Not just my ego but my purpose and sense of being was gone. I did not have any purpose or anything to look forward too any longer. No more things to do list. No more fancy hotels, all paid expenses, company cars, company credit cards and air travel with free frequent flyer miles to use for my personal trips. No more perks. I had been spoiled and puffed up. And this was a big breakdown for me to endure. I cried all the time. I cried just as much for my lost of job and identity as i cried from becoming impotent, deaf, and incontinent from this dreadful disease. But now, 5 years later, I am still sick, deaf, impotent, incontinent but also in a wheelchair and going through a divorce. But guess what, I no longer have my work-identity problem ego anymore. Overtime things take on a different perspective. We tend to learn what to hold on to and what to let go of for our own self preservation. Every now and then I do reflect on my old job and how much money I would be making now and how many more promotions I would have had and how many free frequent flyer miles I would how have (free airplane tickets), but then I think of the stress of it all and the valuable lessons I have learned from this affliction. And I must admit, I am glad I do not pust myself like I did when I was climbling the corporate ladder to "success." Man! It was hell, the demands I put on my self and others just to acheive and out do and get recognition for a job done with EXCELLENCE! No more! And I thank God for that. Amen, AKA The #1 Workaholic! Believe me, its not worth it. More quality time should be spent with family, going to your children school activities, taking a nice hot bubble bath with you wife while the children are in bed or just being quiet by your self and to yourself as your spirit speaks to your heart, mind and soul. Oh yeah, more things are much more important than selfish ambition, I found out the hard way. Instead of growning oneself, look around you and see how many people can benefit from your leadership and life experience. And instead of investing in yourself. How about investing in others and help them and watch them grow. Grow in character not in compensation. Now! This is what I found to be truly rewarding before I retired. Thank God he revealed it to me before I left. And this was my greatest gift of all, helping others grow along the way without any regard for how it was going to reward me. Praise God! Amen, No more workaholic. I finally found the key to the door of relaaxation, and contentment. mentioned a book by Joyce Meyer, "Approval Addiction". After reading this book, I found that most of my drive to acheive and excel was based on approval addiction. Aprroval from my superiors, family, friends, etceteras. And it still was never enough. So be careful my dear friends. " Berry, Berry Careful!" O-Tay? "See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 18, 2006 Report Share Posted February 18, 2006 Wonderfully put . There is so much more to be done while we're still here if we can just listen. I spend alot of time knitting scarves for the homeless outreach at church. grannylunatic@... __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 18, 2006 Report Share Posted February 18, 2006 Wonderfully put . There is so much more to be done while we're still here if we can just listen. I spend alot of time knitting scarves for the homeless outreach at church. grannylunatic@... __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 18, 2006 Report Share Posted February 18, 2006 Wonderfully put . There is so much more to be done while we're still here if we can just listen. I spend alot of time knitting scarves for the homeless outreach at church. grannylunatic@... __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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