Mind over matter

“If you don’t mind, then it doesn’t matter, if it matters then you won’t mind.” – Unknown

I have often wondered if mental struggle is equivalent or worse than physical struggle. Attention is given to physical abuse, or physical hunger, rightly so. But what about the notion that mental/emotional abuse and self-inflicted mental strain, stress and tension should be also given the attention it deserves? I mean, the scars from emotional abuse last longer than physical scars. And the daily battle of managing stress and tension at work, making ends meet financially and juggling so many balls of spirituality. Family, career, fitness, etc, that people battle daily is cause for highlighting a support system and way to manage this before it manages the person.

I find myself after 11 years of playing devil’s advocate with growing my career in the corporate world, that it just isn’t for everyone. It’s a wonderful game and if seen that way, fun can be had as you grow and contribute to an organization.

But once focus has shifted onto higher ideals, considering other means of making a living become a real option. But balancing that against to social pressures of what “success” looks like and in a world measuring success and happiness with money, status and power, it becomes thought provoking to give it all up. To add to that, responsibilities that one takes on from a position of love and duty, for family/organizations that are financially dependent on you, one starts to shift away from the decision to change income earning means. It leads to a feeling of hopelessness and “stuckness” in the rat race.

So, to troubleshoot the issue, the daily mental strain from a high-profile job that comes with all the bells and whistles, one has to dig deeper.

Why the stress? Why the tension?

Trying to do it all? Trying to meet and exceed management expectations? Wanting to be a success at the role? Wanting to balance the 24hr day with success at work, being an engaging parent and making time for fitness and mostly importantly spiritual practices (philosophy study, questions & reflection and meditation).

Maybe the solution lies in finding a way of becoming objective, mentally removed from the fruits of the action (success) at work (sattvic renunciation). Just do what you ought to do and continue with that which is most important to you…?

Because maybe we are all here to suffer… Suffer mentally in a guaranteed paycheck job that comes with its challenges or suffer financially/physically to find a non-corporate job that won’t sufficiently pay the bills? Either ways there will be suffering, so choose objectively.

Or maybe there's an option 3? Map out a structured, non-impulsive corporate exit plan? Finding a way to make a dream of a  new way of doing life, a reality...