Are You a Sellout?
“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” – Ben Franklin
Where do you work? Is it a good environment? Are all of the employees happy and treated well by management, or do you work at “The Firm”?
When I first read the John Grisham thriller I thought it was a great story, but just a story nonetheless. Years later I was surprised to find out that places like Bendini, Lambert & Locke actually do exist. Places where the management expects to control every aspect of your life. Where you live, what you drive, who you talk to (or more importantly who you don’t talk to), when you eat, when you play, when you should have kids, how you should raise your kids… Crazy?!? I think so.
The real crazy part though, is that people work at these companies, knowing what is going on, yet choosing to stay because they get paid a good wage. No amount of money is worth that to me. To trade your personal freedoms for a larger paycheck is just selling your soul.
I spoke recently with a friend that just got out of such an organization. While he had been enjoying the large paycheck, he was reluctant to buy in to all the additional requirements. He chose to ignore the company policy on not socializing with co-workers after hours. He chose to make his own decisions as to who his friends were, and who he talked to. For that he was fired. When I first spoke with him after the event, I told him I was sorry he lost his job, but he laughed it off and said it was the best thing that had happened to him in a long time. A lot of stress was relieved, and he felt free again. Amazing how a little perspective can change your whole point of view.
Freedom is priceless, don’t ever give it up for the illusion of financial security. Sooner or later, your head will be the next one on the block…
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