This Can't Be Life (Cubicle Confinement) by thomashubbard
Hum anity longs for peace; between people, communities and nations. Yet, there is an arena in dire need of healing that is rarely addressed. The workplace, where millions of people spend the majority of their waking hours, is comprised of a web of egos battling and competing for power and validation . Managers are disempowering employees, co-workers are hurting and sabotaging one another and the environment is often fraught with blame, paranoia, rivalry, insecurity, gossip and greed. It is literally an emotional combat zone.
Fear of reprisal prevents people from addressing or even acknowledging the pain they are suffering. The atmosphere of reaction and counter reaction feeds on itself and is difficult to see or escape when you are engaged in it. Even so, my audiences from a multitude of industries throughout the country say it is true; people are suffering.
Your job is not your identity
As a way to cope in the confusion and often
cutthroat environment, we create roles we mistakenly believe
will win respect and security. We unconsciously and sometimes very deliberately
devise schemes to gain power, approval, and financial security--all entrenching
us in the current culture of reaction and counter-reaction.
We have become so
connected to these artificial identities that we have forgotten who we really
are. But we are not these identities--they are simply roles we play in the workplace
and they belie our incredible authentic power. More
than ever before, it is time to rebuild relationships in the workplace by
honoring the spirit in ourselves and others that is residing beneath our
self-created identities.
With the current ego-driven, top down management in
today's workplace, millions of people in businesses of all sizes and various
industries, feel as though they are in prison with little freedom of self
expression. Fear of losing their jobs, especially in these economically
challenging times, causes people to cling to their jobs for security in the
very place that brings up all their insecurities. Though difficult to admit,
most people are weary of the on-going drama, wishing for a better environment
but feeling stuck, with few options. But
even if they leave one workplace "stage", without an internal shift, they will
find the same issues in the new workplace.
I would like to share a process that I believe will help each one of us find our own authentic power and inner peace, even in the workplace. As we awaken and remember who we are, we stop playing our roles in the workplace drama. As we, one by one wake up, we begin to unravel the web of interacting egos in the workplace. As we awaken, we simultaneously give others the opportunity to do the same.
Understanding the competitive work atmosphere
When working in a business that is fear based and
driven by internal competition, you may have become confused and overwhelmed by
the relationship issues. The competitiveness prevents teamwork, cooperation,
joy and satisfaction. Even those who seem to thrive on competition can become
discouraged by the never ending pressure and related rivalry. I believe it is
absolutely imperative to understand the source of the conflict and stop the
paralysis of fear so many are experiencing.
Conflict occurs as a result of disguised fear. When
fear arises within, it is often denied and blocked. When it is blocked, it can
harden within, much like frozen ice in a flowing river; preventing all the
healthy, normal emotions from flowing through you. Fear becomes you. If
allowed, it can overtake your perception of the workplace and the world. It can
impact your family life; the very fabric of our human culture.
Rivalry in the workplace feeds on insecurity and is
accelerated by the desire to be appreciated, combined with the fear of failure
or humiliation. Attempts are made to expel the pain by blaming, attacking or gossip,
which only leads to greater rivalry, competition and jealousy. Few people can
withstand the discomfort and pain of being criticized, attacked and blamed by a
boss or co-worker. The feeling is literally that of being stabbed and deeply
wounded.
Blaming, attacking and holding a figurative "gun"' at someone else gives the individuals doing it a false sense of superiority and/or safety. They do not feel the pain they cause in others when they are in the attack mode. But much like real wars between nations, the sense of triumph is short-lived because there is always another enemy. It is time to put down all our weapons--literally and figuratively.
Finding freedom and peace
This passage of time is about freedom and
deliverance from the chains that have bound you. The only answer to unlocking these
gridlocks is to finally stop and look within to find the source of the pain.
But we resist looking within because we are afraid of opening up a dirty little
secret--that we are not worthy. However, maintaining this belief and holding up this
wall of protection takes a lot of energy and causes more pain. It is quite
literally exhausting. The truth is that you are more powerful than any of your
ego defense mechanisms. Self worth will
never be found in perpetuating drama.
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